Tomoki Kameda Drops, Outpoints Lerato Dlamini To Avenge Prior Defeat

Revenge was sweet for Tomoki Kameda, even if he had to once again sweat out the scorecards.

The former bantamweight titlist made sure to get it right the second time around in a dominant showing versus Lerato Dlamini. It wasn’t quite reflected that way on the scorecards, as Kameda settled for a split decision win. Dlamini won 114-113 on one card, while scores of 114-113 and 116-111 landed in Kameda’s favor in their ABEMA-TV aired main event Saturday from Yamato Arena in Suita, Osaka, Japan.

Kameda (41-4, 23 knockouts) made a point not get caught off guard this time around. The former bantamweight titlist put forth a lethargic effort in their Oct. 7 clash in Tokyo. It not only cost him a split decision but a mandatory title shot at a WBA featherweight title that has since twice changed hands.

A more motivated version of Kameda took the fight directly to Dlamini (20-3, 11 KOs) in the opening round. The local favorite charged straight ahead and forced Dlamini on the defensive early into the night.

Dlamini offered more angles in round two but was mostly catching gloves when he opened up his offense. Kameda quickly cut off the ring and forced Dlamini into the ropes. He was able to find an opening for his left hook to the body, though most of his shots upstairs were blocked.

Kameda continued to plow ahead and forced Dlamini to fight off the back foot. Dlamini was able to crack Kameda’s guard with right hands but could not mount a sustained attack.

The fight took a drastic turn in round five. Kameda had Dlamini in trouble as he unloaded with a barrage of punches along the ropes. Dlamini managed to escape but was sent to the canvas seconds later.

Kameda landed another flurry of power shots midway through the round. Dlamini attempted to respond but missed wildly with a right which caused him to spin and fall into the ropes. The sequence was waved off as a slip, but unintentionally bought Dlamini time to recover.

Action slowed in the middle rounds, which worked to Dlamini’s favor given the near disastrous fifth-round. Kameda didn’t offer much in the sixth but responded to a right hand in the seventh with a rapid fire bushel of punches.

Dlamini twice hit the deck in round eight, though both sequences were correctly waved off as slips. He spent most of the rest of the round on the run, while Kameda was on the attack.

Kameda opened the ninth with a ripping left hook to the body. He continued to take the fight to Dlamini and landed another body shot moments later. Dlamini played defense for the rest of the round and much of the tenth as he tried to slow down his resurgent rival.

A more competitive eleventh round saw Dlamini go punch for punch with Kameda in the trenches. A left hook by Dlamini landed on Kameda’s shoulder as he tripped over his opponent’s foot and staggered back. He quickly regained his balance and went right back on the inside.

While a victory was well secure headed into the twelfth and final round, Kameda wanted so much more. He drove Dlamini into the ropes right out the gate, then waved his arms to hype up his adoring fans in attendance. Dlamini tried in vain to fight back but Kameda remained one step ahead.

The fight ended in bizarre fashion. Kameda drove Dlamini into and eventually through the ropes right at the bell. The referee waved it off as a slip, though not before Kameda went into celebration mode thinking he scored a knockdown. Dlamini struggled to make it to his feet but was eventually upright and alert.

Kameda wore a look of disgust as judge Bob Williams’ card was read out in favor of Dlamini. The other two cards landed the right way, which earned Kameda another title bid. He is now the mandatory challenger to recently crowned IBF featherweight titlist Angelo Leo (25-1, 12 KOs).

The sequel came nearly five months after its original March 31 date. Dlamini’s team activated an escape clause when Kameda Promotions failed to get the bout sanctioned as an IBF featherweight title eliminator.

Kameda remained on the show and stopped Kevin Villanueva (22-5-3, 15 KOs) after five rounds.

Dlamini hadn’t fought since his win over Kameda. The near eleven-month break featured another fight which fell through.

Dlamini was ordered to enter talks with Arnold Khegai (21-1-1, 13 KOs). It went to an April 30 purse bid hearing, won by TGB Promotions.

However, Khegai bailed on the proceedings given the paltry purse he would have earned for a trip to South Africa. He and his team opted to instead sign with Top Rank and set his sights on WBO titlist Rafael Espinoza. Khegai is the WBO No. 1 contender.

Dlamini is now forced to rebuild nearly a year after ruining Kameda’s title plans at the time.

Meanwhile, Kameda is back on course for another title shot. His mandatory versus Leo is expected to be ordered later this fall.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for The Ring.
Follow @JakeNDaBox

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