Ambunda-kameda WBO title bout at waterfront 'Clash of undefeated titans'

CEBU, Philippines - They don't have any Filipino lineage, much more a big following among Pinoy boxing fans but the highly-anticipated WBO bantamweight title bout between defending African champion Paulus "The Rock" Ambunda of Namibia and Japanese star Tomoki "El Mexicanito" Kameda scheduled on August 1 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel still has all the makings of a blockbuster show.

Why not? Both are exciting and skillful fighters who have never been beaten in their respective careers. Ambunda sports an unblemished 20-0 record spiked with a 50 percent knockout rate, while Kameda carries a clean 27-0 slate packed with 18KOs.

"Two undefeated boxers fighting for a world championship here in our place is something that the Cebuanos should look forward to," said Cebuano topnotch promoter Rex "Wakee" Salud, whose outfit RWS International bankrolls the event in partnership with Kameda Boxing Promotions of Japan.

"Ambunda is a very slick fighter, while Kameda is an all-around boxer whose skills are sharpened by his years of fighting on Mexican soil. Going up and winning decisively against Mexicans have definitely transformed Kameda into a tough fighting machine," added Salud. "But one should take note also that Ambunda is known for his cleverness and defensive ability. Surely it's going to be a highly-entertaining match-up to watch."

One would no longer wonder where Kameda got his monicker 'El Mexicanito". He has fought and mauled a total of 15 Mexican boxers since he debuted with a second round stoppage of Alejandro Moreno on November 21, 2008 at the Salon Marbet Plus in Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl. He also collected his five regional titles under the WBC by crushing Mexican rivals, the last was a 10th round technical decision over Jairo Hernandez to snatch the WBC Silver bantamweight title on April 26 last year.

"It's very difficult to beat Mexican fighters in their hometown, but he makes it a habit already. That is perhaps the reason why he's the most famous among the three fighting Kameda brothers of Japan," said Salud on referring to Tomoki, whose elder brother Koki is the current WBA bantamweight titlist.

On the other hand, Ambunda, aside from being the defending champion, has also achieved something that would send shivers down the spines of his opponent. He strapped the WBO 118-pound belt around his waist after beating former Thai champ Pungluang Sor Singyo by unanimous decision last March 2 at the Windhoek Country Club Resort in Windhoek, Namibia.

That may hardly matter for Tomoki but it does ring a bell for Cebu sports world because Ambunda tamed Sor Singyo, who is best remembered by Pinoy fans for extinguishing the world title hopes of ALA Gym stalwart AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal on October 20 last year at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.

"That only shows how also tough Ambunda is, so expect fireworks when the two clash in the ring on August 1," said Salud. (FREEMAN)