By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Former WBO bantam champ Tomoki Kameda (34-2, 20 KOs), 123.25, defeated Mexican Ivan “Nino Maravilla” Morales (31-3, 19 KOs), 122.25, by a nearly shutout decision (100-90 twice, 99-91) over ten speedy rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan.

Tomoki displayed good hand speed and work rate in lopsidedly attacking the youngest brother of Erik and Diego, steadily piling up points. Tomoki, 25, had Ivan at bay with solid combinations in round four, but the Mexican, also 25, refused to go down and withstood his furious rallies. Kameda positively threw jabs and combos to have Morales retreating but couldn’t finally catch up with him until the end. Ivan’s strong heart coupled with his excellent defense saved him from going down despite Tomoki’s persistent body bombardment.