Revenge was candy for Tomoki Kameda, even when he needed to as soon as once more sweat out the scorecards.
The previous bantamweight titlist made positive to get it proper the second time round in a dominant exhibiting versus Lerato Dlamini. It wasn’t fairly mirrored that method on the scorecards, as Kameda settled for a cut up determination win. Dlamini gained 114-113 on one card, whereas scores of 114-113 and 116-111 landed in Kameda’s favor of their ABEMA-TV aired fundamental occasion Saturday from Yamato Area in Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Kameda (41-4, 23 knockouts) made a degree not get caught off guard this time round. The previous bantamweight titlist put forth a torpid effort of their Oct. 7 conflict in Tokyo. It not solely value him a cut up determination however a compulsory title shot at a WBA featherweight title that has since twice modified palms.
A extra motivated model of Kameda took the combat on to Dlamini (20-3, 11 KOs) within the opening spherical. The native favourite charged straight forward and compelled Dlamini on the defensive early into the evening.
Dlamini provided extra angles in spherical two however was largely catching gloves when he opened up his offense. Kameda shortly reduce off the ring and compelled Dlamini into the ropes. He was capable of finding a gap for his left hook to the physique, although most of his pictures upstairs have been blocked.
Kameda continued to plow forward and compelled Dlamini to combat off the again foot. Dlamini was in a position to crack Kameda’s guard with proper palms however couldn’t mount a sustained assault.
The combat took a drastic flip in spherical 5. Kameda had Dlamini in hassle as he unloaded with a barrage of punches alongside the ropes. Dlamini managed to flee however was despatched to the canvas seconds later.
Kameda landed one other flurry of energy pictures halfway by the spherical. Dlamini tried to reply however missed wildly with a proper which brought on him to spin and fall into the ropes. The sequence was waved off as a slip, however unintentionally purchased Dlamini time to get well.
Motion slowed within the center rounds, which labored to Dlamini’s favor given the close to disastrous fifth-round. Kameda didn’t provide a lot within the sixth however responded to a proper hand within the seventh with a fast fireplace bushel of punches.
Dlamini twice hit the deck in spherical eight, although each sequences have been accurately waved off as slips. He spent many of the remainder of the spherical on the run, whereas Kameda was on the assault.
Kameda opened the ninth with a ripping left hook to the physique. He continued to take the combat to Dlamini and landed one other physique shot moments later. Dlamini performed protection for the remainder of the spherical and far of the tenth as he tried to decelerate his resurgent rival.
A extra aggressive eleventh spherical noticed Dlamini go punch for punch with Kameda within the trenches. A left hook by Dlamini landed on Kameda’s shoulder as he tripped over his opponent’s foot and staggered again. He shortly regained his stability and went proper again on the within.
Whereas a victory was effectively safe headed into the twelfth and last spherical, Kameda needed a lot extra. He drove Dlamini into the ropes proper out the gate, then waved his arms to hype up his adoring followers in attendance. Dlamini tried in useless to combat again however Kameda remained one step forward.
The combat resulted in weird vogue. Kameda drove Dlamini into and ultimately by the ropes proper on the bell. The referee waved it off as a slip, although not earlier than Kameda went into celebration mode considering he scored a knockdown. Dlamini struggled to make it to his ft however was ultimately upright and alert.
Kameda wore a glance of disgust as decide Bob Williams’ card was learn out in favor of Dlamini. The opposite two playing cards landed the fitting method, which earned Kameda one other title bid. He is now the obligatory challenger to just lately topped IBF featherweight titlist Angelo Leo (25-1, 12 KOs).
The sequel got here almost 5 months after its unique March 31 date. Dlamini’s crew activated an escape clause when Kameda Promotions didn’t get the bout sanctioned as an IBF featherweight title eliminator.
Kameda remained on the present and stopped Kevin Villanueva (22-5-3, 15 KOs) after 5 rounds.
Dlamini hadn’t fought since his win over Kameda. The close to eleven-month break featured one other combat which fell by.
Dlamini was ordered to enter talks with Arnold Khegai (21-1-1, 13 KOs). It went to an April 30 purse bid listening to, gained by TGB Promotions.
Nevertheless, Khegai bailed on the proceedings given the paltry purse he would have earned for a visit to South Africa. He and his crew opted to as an alternative signal with High Rank and set his sights on WBO titlist Rafael Espinoza. Khegai is the WBO No. 1 contender.
Dlamini is now compelled to rebuild almost a yr after ruining Kameda’s title plans on the time.
In the meantime, Kameda is again on the right track for one more title shot. His obligatory versus Leo is anticipated to be ordered later this fall.
Jake Donovan is a senior author for The Ring.
Observe @JakeNDaBox
