» WBA “regular” bantamweight champion Koki Kameda, announced he is interested in a potential unification bout with WBC/WBO title holder Nonito Donaire, following the Filipino’s knockout victory over Fernando Montiel on Feb. 19…

WBA “regular” bantamweight champion Koki Kameda, announced he is interested in a potential unification bout with WBC/WBO title holder Nonito Donaire, following the Filipino’s knockout victory over Fernando Montiel on Feb. 19.

“I will fight with Donaire anytime!,” Kameda said.

Presently, Kameda’s team is planning his first title defense for this coming May against an undetermined opponent. However, the Osaka-native offered Donaire an opportunity to unify the belts at the year-end “Kameda Festival” event.

“The main event should be our unification title fight,” Kameda said.

The “Kameda Festival” is scheduled to showcase three world class title fights, including the aforementioned Koki (24-1, 15 KOs), as well as, brothers Daiki and Tomoki.

“The Filipino Flash” (26-1, 18 KOs), who since last Saturday has attracted several potential future opponents, did make it clear in the Donaire-Montiel post fight press conference, his primary preference is to unify the belts.

“First, I want to be undisputed in this division,” Donaire said. “But, if they don’t want to make it happen, I have my full trust in Cameron Dunkin to make it happen for me at 122 or 126 (pounds).”

Although the Japanese Boxing Commission (JBC) has never accepted native boxers challenging for the WBO and IBF titles, it appears the board of the JBC is now considering a move to approve unification title fights between various sanctioning organizations.

Most recently, Kameda, riding a two-win streak, won the vacant WBA world bantamweight title against Alexander Munoz in Saitama, Japan on Dec. 26.

—Alex Neely

Date: February 19, 2011 • Venue: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas , NV • Title(s): WBC/WBO Bantamweight Championship (12 Rounds)

Experience:
Fernando Montiel at 44-2-2, compared to Nonito Donaire’s 25-1 boxing record, not only has the more fight experience, but “Cochulito” has nearly double the amount of title fights in his career (21-11). Advantage: Montiel

Donaire’s Style:
Positive: Donaire, who uses phenomenal footwork to cut off the ring, forces his opponents to manifest a sense of urgency, which allows space for his perfectly timed counter punching. Negative: With knockouts in eight of his last nine bouts, Donaire appears to have grown a sense of comfort, which in several aspects is advantageous; however, it has created some openings. Donaire, who lacks a tight defensive stance already, now lets his guard down several inches prior to engaging. In addition, Donaire’s patented left uppercut has appeared to hesitate by his hip, leaving his chin completely exposed, for just a moment.

Montiel’s Style:
Positive: With nearly 50 fights to his record, Montiel has incredible composure inside the ring. Whether following a knockdown or being knocked down himself, Montiel’s experience has produced an almost zen-like sniper in the ring. Negative: Montiel has a propensity to leave his hands by his hips in order to counter during the heat of an exchange. This confident tactic, which stems from his incredibly strong chin, and elusive head movement, has not only caused him to be knocked to the canvas before, but if Donaire connects, he may stay down. Advantage: Donaire

Power:
Montiel’s past three fights; against Hozumi Hasegawa, Rafael Concepcion and Jovanny Soto; truly display the sort of brain-rattling power the Mexican-native possesses. However, even though Montiel has nearly double the amount of knockouts as Donaire (33-17), “The Filipino Flash” appears to harness a more violent power. Donaire, whose most memorable knockout came in 2007 when he sent Vic Darchinyan into a hypnotizing tail spin, has reeled off three knockouts in a row. Advantage: Donaire

Stamina:
Each boxing analyst since the fight announcement has denounced Donaire’s stamina, while praising the veteran Montiel – “If the fight goes past the sixth, it is Montiel’s fight to win.” Although some of the criticism is warranted (i.e. Donaire’s fight against Rafael Concepcion), he has been victorious in 12 round champion fights in the past. That being said, Montiel’s sage understanding of title fights has produced an inimitable composure. Advantage: Montiel

Prediction: Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire over Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel by TKO in the 5^th round.

—Alex Neely