Kameda takes WBA flyweight title, joins brother as world champ

KOBE (Kyodo) Japanese challenger Daiki Kameda beat champion Denkaosen Kaowichit of Thailand by unanimous decision to capture the WBA flyweight title in a rematch on Sunday.

With the victory, Kameda joined older brother Koki, who holds the WBC flyweight crown, as the first Japanese sibling pair to become world champions. Kameda got revenge after losing a decision to Denkaosen in October last year.

Denkaosen controlled the bout in the early rounds at Kobe World Memorial Hall, but lost steam as the match progressed. He was docked twice for holding violations.

Kameda improved to a 15-2 record with 11 knockouts.

Earlier at the same venue, Tsunami Tenkai won a unanimous decision over challenger Shanee Martin of Britain to successfully defend the women's WBA super flyweight crown.

The 25-year-old Tenkai took the fight to Martin from the opening bell, putting her on the back foot with a stinging left jab and clearly outpunching the ninth-ranked opponent. Tenkai improved to 5-0 (1KO).