Tomoki Kameda eager to avenge only loss in bantamweight title rematch

Tomoki Kameda knew nothing but success in his boxing career until he ran into Jamie McDonnell in May. But even decking McDonnell in the third round was not enough to save Kameda’s perfect mark.

On Sunday on CBS from Corpus Christi, Texas, Kameda (31-1, 19 KOs) will get a chance to avenge that defeat when he meets McDonnell in a rematch of their scintillating first bout on a Premier Boxing Champions card headlined by Anthony Dirrell against Marco Antonio Rubio.

McDonnell peeled himself off the canvas and took home a narrow 114-113 unanimous decision in a thrilling fight that was deserving of an immediate rematch.

“I thought I won last time and I plan to prove that I am the better fighter and the best at my weight,” Kameda said. “It was very close, but this time my power and strategy will be too much for him.”

Kameda appeared on the verge of taking over on several occasions in the first bout, but the feisty Brit simply wouldn’t submit, not even from a powerful overhand right in the third that sent him crashing down into a heap.

McDonnell proved to be resilient and clawed his way back into the fight with one tenacious round after another. Perhaps being a little more desperate than his opponent, McDonnell was convincing in the 12^th round and that ended up being the difference on the scorecards.

The 29-year-old McDonnell, who currently holds the WBA bantamweight title, doesn’t plan to give his revenge-minded opponent those kinds of opportunities when they meet again Sunday.

“I’ve been working on sitting on my punches and creating more power, but [I’ve] also [done] a lot of work on my movement,” McDonnell said. “Defense is important because I got tagged with that right hand that knocked me down last fight.”

With the fighters being familiar with each other, it will be imperative that game plans be altered and tailored to fit the occasion. Kameda figures to have the recipe for successful vengeance.

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

The Englishman has a similar mind set on making sure that there is no disputing who the victor will be this time around. Although he stopped short of suggesting a knockout, he believes there'll be no doubt as to who is the better fighter.

“We’re looking forward to getting in there and making a statement this time,” McDonnell said. “I want to make a real statement on the world stage. No close victory this time. I’m ready for the big boys.”