Tomoki Kameda Interview: "Becoming a world champion in Mexico is my dream"
 By Anson Wainwright (Oct 17, 2012) Doghouse Boxing
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Up and coming Japanese bantamweight
Tomoki Kameda has pretty big shoes to fill, looking to follow in his elder
brothers’ (Koki and Daiki) footsteps. Both his siblings have previously won world titles,
something the youngest brother hopes to emulate in the future. However, unlike
his brothers, who have plied their trade in Japan from a young age, the now-21-year-old
Tomoki decided to add a different dimension to his already impressive arsenal.
So he went to Mexico, from which he pays homage in his nickname “El Mexicanito,” to learn more about boxing.
Currently, he’s 24-0 with 15 kayos with 15 of the bouts taking place in Mexico
and his next bout takes place on
27th October when
he meets Mexican Javier Franco,
21-9-1 (10), (live on Televisa /Fox
Sports in the USA) from Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico at the Chetumal
International Business and Convention Center.
Anson Wainwright - You beat
Monico Laurente in your
most recent bout. It took
place at 122; however, in the bout previous to that, you won the WBC silver
bantamweight title. Do you consider yourself a super bantamweight or a
bantamweight?
Tomoki Kameda - I am a WBC bantamweight
silver champion but the WBC silver title is not recognised in Japan. So this
fight became the contract weight. I want to fight if there is a chance of the
world title match between 115 pounds to 122 pounds.
AW - How far do you think you are from
fighting for a world title?
TK - I am ready to fight in a world
title match. I'm waiting for that chance to come to me.
AW - You’re the youngest of three
fighting brothers. Koki and Daiki fight in Japan while you have based yourself
for the majority of your fights in Mexico. Can you tell us about this?
TK - I am 21 years old now. I went to
Mexico for the first
time when I was 15 years old. My career as an amateur started in Mexico. It was
piled up for one-and-a-half years in Mexico. Then my career as a professional
started in Mexico too. I love Mexico and the people in Mexico and it is thought
that Mexico is the second home country for me. My career as a boxer is made in Mexico. Therefore, I
will continue to base myself in Mexico now and in the future. Becoming a world
champion in Mexico is my dream.
AW - The difference between living in
Japan and being in Mexico must be huge. Can you tell us about this and how you
find it? How much time do you spend in each place or do you divide the time up
equally?
TK - I think that Japan and Mexico are
very good countries. As for the difference between Japan and Mexico, the Japanese
are diligent and closed and the Mexicans are bright and openhearted. Moreover,
I do not feel the inconvenience while living in Mexico. The Mexican cuisine is
loved. I am staying in Japan and Mexico half and half.
AW - You were born in Osaka. Can you
tell us about your younger days and what it was like for you growing up and in
a boxing family?
TK - I was not so affluent when I was a
child. However, my father taught boxing for us eagerly. I was very happy. I was
influenced by my brothers, Koki and Daiki, very much. I trained
as to compete with them. I think that is my present self because it was born in
this family.
AW - What do you like to do away from
boxing?
TK - I go to shopping and go out for a
meal on holiday sometimes.
AW - Do you charity work?
TK - When it can be done with my
brothers, I want to do the charity activity.
AW - In your weight class, your brother
Koki is the WBA champion; however, there are other titles available. Would you
fight for the IBF or WBO championships as they aren’t recognised in Japan but
are in Mexico where you fight? What are your thoughts on that?
TK - I want to fight for the world
championship of IBF and WBO in Mexico if there is a chance. It is regrettable
that it is not possible to fight in Japan even if I will be a champion of IBF
and WBO.
AW – Presumably, like the Klitschko
brothers, you and your brothers, Koki and Daiki, would never under any
circumstances fight each other?
TK - I think that we won't fight each
other.
AW - What do you think of the current
champions at 118 like WBA “super champion” Anselmo Moreno, the WBC’s Shinsuke
Yamanaka and the IBF’s Leo Santa Cruz?
TK - I think that Moreno is a technical, strong champion. Yamanaka
is southpaw and I heard that his left straight punch is strong. Santa Cruz is
young; he hits with a lot of punches.
AW - Growing up, who were your boxing
heroes and who do you enjoy watching today?
TK - My favorite boxers are Floyd
Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. I want to be a great boxer like them.
AW – Finally, could you tell us what your goals are and
anything you’d like to add further?
TK
- My dream is to win in the ring of Las Vegas and to enchant the spectators. I have a strong mind for
bantamweight. I want to be the bantamweight
world champion someday.
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