BoxRec

Rey Vargas will defend his WBC junior featherweight title against mandatory challenger Tomoki Kameda on July 13, Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker Robert Diaz told BS.com.

The 12-round bout will take place at Dignity Health Sport Park (formerly known as the StubHub Center) in Carson, California. DAZN will likely stream the fight live.

“It’s a heck of a fight,” Diaz told BS. “‘El Mexicanito’ (Kameda) versus ‘El Mexicano’ (Vargas).”

Background

Vargas (33-0, 22 knockouts), who resides in the Mexico City area, overcame a knockdown at the hands of Venezuela’s Franklin Manzanilla to win by unanimous decision on Feb. 9 in Indio, California. The victory over Manzanilla was Vargas’ fourth successful defense of his WBC title.

The 28-year-old Vargas is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Promotions Del Pueblo, who has promoted Vargas since 2012.

Kameda (36-2, 20 KOs), who splits his time between his birthplace of Tokyo and Mexico City, became the mandatory challenger by defeating Abigail Medina on Nov. 12.

The 27-year-old Kameda has won his last five bouts since losing back-to-back close decisions to then-WBA bantamweight titleholder Jamie McDonnell of England in 2015.

Kameda also held the WBO bantamweight title before his fights against McDonnell.

decent fight, vargas hasnt really convinced me as champ

jamamb wrote: ↑29 May 2019, 17:19 decent fight, vargas hasnt really convinced me as champ

Why not?

sloppy and hittable vs not very high level of oppositon. hes a bit like a poor mans khan in that he has rapid fire fast hands and feet but lacks the ring iq and has defense lapses.

the fight vs hov was fun but a total slop fight with vargas getting clocked and rocked several times

jamamb wrote: ↑29 May 2019, 17:21 sloppy and hittable vs not very high level of oppositon. hes a bit like a poor mans khan in that he has rapid fire fast hands and feet but lacks the ring iq and has defense lapses.

the fight vs hov was fun but a total slop fight with vargas getting clocked and rocked several times

This fight should be decent for him. Kameda was only in those questionable losses to McDonnell.

Probably past his best, but still a name fighter.

A thoroughly stacked night of Golden Boy action heads to the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. as Rey Vargas (33-0, 22 KOs) defends his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title in the 12-round main event against No. 1 Contender and former world champion Tomoki "El Mexicanito" Kameda (36-2, 20 KOs). The card will also feature the return of Diego De La Hoya, Joet Gonzalez, Eduardo "Rocky" Hernandez, Alexis "Lex" Rocka and Jousce "Tito" Gonzalez. The fights will take place on Saturday, July 13 and will be streamed live on DAZN.

"Golden Boy is no stranger to big events with stacked undercards, and much less when it comes to having them at the Dignity Health Sports Park," said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. "Not only is this place the home of the LA Galaxy, it has also become a battlefield for some of the most exciting wars this sport has ever seen. July 13 will not disappoint as the best 122-pounder in the world in Rey Vargas defends his world title against an explosive challenger. Most importantly, however, this stacked card will also demonstrate what we have been doing at the Golden Boy for many years: producing stars and making the best fights possible."

Vargas is a 28-year-old world champion who brings a considerable height and reach advantage to every fight, which he has used to defeat all of his previous opponents. In February 2017, Vargas traveled to the United Kingdom to defeat Gavin McDonnell for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight Title. For that fight, Vargas enlisted the help of Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain, who has been training him ever since. Vargas then defended the title against Ronny Rios, Oscar "El Jaguar" Negrete, Azat "Crazy A" Hovhannyan and Franklin Manzanilla. The native of Mexico City, Mexico will look to make the fifth defense of his title in his first main event fight in the United States.

"This is going to be a hard and complicated fight," said Rey Vargas. "Kameda is a difficult opponent who has been a world champion. Above all, however, he has a thorn in his side that he'll want to take out because I beat him in the amateurs several years ago. This is an interesting fight. He is a quick fighter and he'll look to take advantage of that, but thanks to God and my corner we are already working to counteract the strategy of this Japanese fighter. God willing, we will walk away with our hand in victory."

Kameda is a 27-year-old native of Tokyo, Japan who traveled to Mexico when he was only 15 years old to learn from and compete with its fighters, earning the nickname "Mexicanito" in the process. Since then, Kameda has developed into a complete fighter utilizing styles from both countries. In 2013, Kameda became a world champion by defeating Paulus Ambunda for the WBO Bantamweight World Title, defending it three times. He also challenged for a world title on two occasions by facing Jamie McDonnell for the WBA Bantamweight World Championship. Kameda then moved up to 122 pounds where he plans to become a two-division world champion.

"This is going to be a great battle," said Tomoki Kameda. "I know Rey Vargas very well. We fought in the amateurs during my time in Mexico. I look forward to getting my revenge against him and becoming a two-division world champion. I know Vargas is a tall fighter with long arms, but the Mexican style that I possess will give him a lot of trouble and make for a great fight for the fans!"

"This is a great fight where the two best super bantamweights in the world will meet," said Oswaldo Kuchle, President of Promociones del Pueblo. "Rey Vargas will prove that he is invincible, and that's why he has the belt with the highest ranking-the WBC belt."

"A former world champion who's fought on the big stage in Japan, Mexico and the U.S., Tomoki Kameda is more than ready for this opportunity to become a champion again on July 13," said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. "At just 27-years-old, Kameda is still in his prime after already accomplishing a tremendous amount as a pro. He's going to bring a challenge that Rey Vargas has never seen before and deliver a memorable night for his fans all over the world."

In the co-main event, Diego De La Hoya (21-0, 13 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico will take on hometown favorite Ronny Rios (30-3, 14 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBA Gold Super Bantamweight Title.

"I'm excited for this great opportunity to showcase my skills at the Dignity Health Sports Park," said Diego De La Hoya. "This is another step closer to a world title challenge, and I promise to give my fans a night to remember. Ronny Rios is a tough fighter, but these types of challenges motivate me to perform at my best. I won't be denied a victory come July 13!"

"First and foremost, I would like to thank Golden Boy and DAZN for giving me this opportunity," said Ronny Rios. "Secondly, I would like to thank my team for helping me stay prepared, motivated and focused. I would also like to thank Diego De La Hoya and his camp for accepting this fight."

Joet Gonzalez (22-0, 10 KOs) of Glendora, Calif. will fight for the vacant WBO Global Featherweight Title in a 10-round fight against Manuel "Tino" Avila (23-1-1, 8 KOs) of Fairfield, Calif. This fight will feature two high-level Golden Boy contenders who are centimeters away from a world title shot.

Mexican rising star Eduardo "Rocky" Hernandez(28-0, 25 KOs) will return in a 10-round super featherweight fight. This will be Rocky's second fight after signing a co-promotional deal between Promociones del Pueblo and Golden Boy.

Welterweight prospect Alexis "Lex" Rocha (13-0, 8 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. will defend his WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Title in a 10-round bout against Berlin Abreu (14-2, 11 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republican.

Jousce "Tito" Gonzalez (8-0-1, 8 KOs) of Glendora, Calif. will return in a six-round lightweight fight.

Jonathan Esquivel (10-0, 9 KOs) of Anaheim, Calif. will battle in a six-round super middleweight fight.

Adrian Benton (1-0) of Cincinnati, Ohio will participate in a four-round super lightweight fight.

“Ceja is ranked number one in the 122-pound division and Rigondeaux will enter the fight third in the (WBC) rankings,” Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC explained in his decision to sanction Sunday’s bout as a final eliminator. “The winner will face the winner of Rey Vargas vs. Tomoki Kameda.”

This has the makings of a really poor fight :(

Nice undercard with good prospects.

Fight week

Kameda To Rey Vargas: You Are a Proud Mexican? Fight Like One!

“I’m very excited to be fighting here in the United States, especially here in Los Angeles where there is a huge population of Mexican and Japanese boxing fans,” Kameda (36-2, 20KOs), who turns 28 on Friday, said during Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference. “I’ve been preparing for this fight for the past four months.”

I respect all opponents, including Rey Vargas,” insists Kameda, who looks to avenge an amateur loss from 2007 while also seeking to become a two-division titlist. “All that I ask, you claim you’re a champion and you are a proud Mexican, right? Well, then fight like a proud Mexican champion (on Saturday).”

Vargas and Kameda both tipped the scales at 121.4 pounds for the DAZN-streamed headliner.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑12 Jul 2019, 11:10 Kameda To Rey Vargas: You Are a Proud Mexican? Fight Like One!

“I’m very excited to be fighting here in the United States, especially here in Los Angeles where there is a huge population of Mexican and Japanese boxing fans,” Kameda (36-2, 20KOs), who turns 28 on Friday, said during Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference. “I’ve been preparing for this fight for the past four months.”

I respect all opponents, including Rey Vargas,” insists Kameda, who looks to avenge an amateur loss from 2007 while also seeking to become a two-division titlist. “All that I ask, you claim you’re a champion and you are a proud Mexican, right? Well, then fight like a proud Mexican champion (on Saturday).”

The bolded statement always strikes me as a guy saying "Please don't use movement or skill in your fight against me. It troubles me"

I think Kameda can pull upset here. But is he really underdog ?

Not picked up in the UK?

Cent0089 wrote: ↑13 Jul 2019, 13:52 I think Kameda can pull upset here. But is he really underdog ?

Don't know, but IMO he beat Jamie McDonnell both times, and should be undefeated.

Cent0089 wrote: ↑13 Jul 2019, 13:52 I think Kameda can pull upset here. But is he really underdog ?

Vargas is a solid -450 favorite.

I like Kameda here I wonder how the winner will not fight Rigo.

Is there anyone who thought Kameda won both McDonell fights.

world ranked wrote: ↑13 Jul 2019, 15:09 Is there anyone who thought Kameda won both McDonell fights.

Yes..

world ranked wrote: ↑13 Jul 2019, 15:09 Is there anyone who thought Kameda won both McDonell fights.

I just said so a second ago. So yeah. McDonnell got a lot of gift decisions IMO. Like 3 out of 4 fights on one occasion as I recall.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑13 Jul 2019, 15:30

world ranked wrote: ↑13 Jul 2019, 15:09 Is there anyone who thought Kameda won both McDonell fights.

I just said so a second ago. So yeah. McDonnell got a lot of gift decisions IMO. Like 3 out of 4 fights on one occasion as I recall.

I won't say they were gifts or robberies the were close fights enough were I was suprised but didn't think Robbery.

world ranked wrote: ↑13 Jul 2019, 15:48

gilgamesh wrote: ↑13 Jul 2019, 15:30

I just said so a second ago. So yeah. McDonnell got a lot of gift decisions IMO. Like 3 out of 4 fights on one occasion as I recall.

I won't say they were gifts or robberies the were close fights enough were I was suprised but didn't think Robbery.

Yeah I mean they were competitive, it just starts to annoy me when a guy wins a decision that IMO he didn't deserve more often than not. None were outright robberies as McDonnell was always competitive...but still.