Rey Vargas outboxes Tomoki Kameda to retain WBC title.
In a battle for the WBC super bantamweight title Rey Vargas would be seeking the fifth consecutive defense against the very skilled Tomoki Kemada.
Early-On
The start of this fight indicated this would be a battle of jabs. Both men using their jabs, would each land some good right hands. Vargas established distance early while utilizing his 3 1/2 height and reach advantages.
Kameda would really start to have success in the second and third rounds as he was able to mix his attack. The jab to the body set up some hard right hands as well as left hooks while getting on the inside.
Middle Rounds
Vargas would really start to have success in the middle rounds as he was able keep the fight in the middle of the ring. Continuing to utilize his jab, he also started using foot movement, which kept Kameda out of position to attack.
The champion appeared to be pulling away as the challenger seemingly frustrated, started lunging in, swinging and missing. However round eight was a good round for him, as he landed hard right and left hands on the champion who would continuously get caught on the ropes.
Championship Rounds
By this point in the fight, it was evident Kameda needed a knockout.
Vargas displayed excellent ring generalship as his counterpart applied non-stop pressure. Kameda understood he needed something big and manifested the sense of urgency to get it done!
Rounds eleven and twelve were hotly contested. In the final round Kemada was deducted a point for punching during the break. This made matters worse for the Japanese challenger who now was desperate to land one hard shot.
He would land a few of them, but unfortunately for him, they would not be hard enough to put the champion out!
The Result
Vargas would retain his title by way of a unanimous decision. All three judges had it 117-110.
He improves his record to (34-0, 22KOs) and possibly moves into unification fight with unified champion Daniel Roman, who was in attendance.
Prior to the fight, the WBC champion stated he wanted to move up to featherweight and face Leo Santa Cruz. However after the fight, he had a change of heart as he called for the three-belt unification against Roman!
By: Jerrell Fletcher
