Kameda brothers of Japan train in Cebu gym

CEBU, Philippines – The Kameda brothers of Japan – Koki and Daiki – are currently in town to train for at least a week at the RWS Gym of Cebuano promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud as they step up their buildup for their respective fights, including Koki’s defense of the WBA bantamweight crown.

The RWS Gym in Brgy. Punta Princesa is the same gym where pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao trained for his rematch against Marco Antonio Barrera five years ago.

“Maybe they heard something good about Wakee’s gym that’s why they decided to train here,” said Jun Ablaca, a longtime trainer and one of Salud’s trusted men.

They are accompanied by their father-mentor Shiro Kameda.

Koki (27-1, 1KO) is the reigning WBA bantamweight champion while Daiki (22-3, 14KOs) is a former world flyweight titlist.

The 25-year-old Koki is set to defend his WBA belt against Indonesian challenger Noulde Manakane on April 4 at the Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa, Japan.

Daiki, on the other hand, will see action in the undercard against Pompetch Twins Gym of Thailand in a non-title 10-round bout.

The other day, Koki sparred for four rounds against Rodel Mayol, who himself is gearing up for a world title match against WBA flyweight crown-holder Hernan Marquez on March 24 in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico.

Koki will make the fourth defense of the WBA title he claimed with a unanimous decision victory over Alexander Muñoz on Dec. 26, 2010 at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. He scored a smashing fourth round knockout of Mario Macia in his previous defense on Dec. 7 last year at the Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, Japan.

Koki once held the WBC flyweight crown but moved up to bantamweight division after losing to Thai Pongsaklek, who was recently dethroned by Filipino fighter Sonny Boy Jaro via a sixth round stoppage.

Daiki, on the other hand, reigned as the WBA 112-pound king for two years (2009-2011) before he voluntarily yielded his throne to venture into the super flyweight class. He then vied for the WBA super flyweight championship but lost by a close decision to Thai Tepparith Singwancha on Dec. 7 last year at the Prefectural Gym in Osaka.

Ablaca said the Kameda brothers will stay in Cebu for only a week as they have to go back to Japan for the final phase of their training.