Kameda looking to KO McDonnell

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Tomoki KamedaTomoki Kameda (31-1, 19 KO’s) is planning to avenge his only professional defeat in emphatic fashion this Sunday when he takes on WBA World bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell (26-2-1, 12 KO’s) for the second time in four months.

Kameda will again be granted a home advantage of sorts in Texas; a place with a large Mexican contingent. Kameda has fought the vast majority of his bouts in Mexico and the friendship state will not feel dissimilar as well as having the added prestige of fighting in the US.

The pair went at it tooth-and-nail when they last met. Kameda started fast and managed to floor McDonnell in the third round with a lightening-quick right hand, and it looked as though the Doncaster man may have been in over his head against such an athletic operator. But to his credit he battled back and after a quick recovery he slowly began to close the distance on his Japanese foe, blocking and countering impressively as the fight wore.

All three judges scored the fight 114-113 in McDonnell’s favour after twelve closely contested rounds in an unexpected but deserved decision that ranks as the Brit’s best result to date.

After flirting with a jump up to super-bantamweight, McDonnell agreed to give Kameda a second shot at his belt, a risky decision given the nature of their first scrap that was presumably cushioned by a bumper paycheque.

Kameda has all the physical and technical attributes to become a major attraction in the lower divisions. That first loss was not part of the script and he aims to punish McDonnell for his confidence in taking the rematch, as he told World Boxing News.

“This time we have an even better plan than last time. I’m ready for my opponent’s style and anything he can bring to the ring,” said Kameda.

“I’ve studied McDonnell and I know his weaknesses. We’re planning on taking him out this time. I won’t stop until I have the stoppage.”

One thing Kameda will need if he is to achieve his goal is more variety in his work. After McDonnell had got used to gloves flying towards him at blurring speed, he adjusted to the pace and began to do the more effective work. Outside of multiple jabs and the right hand, Kameda seemed to run out of ideas late on.

It will be interesting to see if Kameda and his people return the favour to McDonnell with a win and allow for a third fight to take place. If the action on Sunday resembles that from their fight in May, there is no reason not to from a fan’s perspective.