The South African boxer is all set for his second pro boxing appearance
Reigning AFBC Africa light-welterweight champion John Paul Masamba, now known as Masaki Kameda in Japan, will make his second appearance in pro boxing on July 6 in Osaka.
Masamba (1-0-0) battles Japan’s Takuya Hashimoto (7-7-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round light-welterweight fight in Osaka.
Brimming with confidence ahead of his second pro fight, the South African boxer told boxersworld.co.ke he’s well prepared and optimistic of victory.
“About my opponent he’s kinda tall but almost the same as me, he’s a pressure fighter but careless, I know how to handle him,” says the 24-year-old Masamba who made his pro debut in March, 2025, outpounting China’s Yesiolati Nasiyiwula in a six-round bout.
“I’m so happy to turn professional, I’m at peace with myself away from our dishonest and opportunistic Africa boxing leaders, they just want to use boxers for their own benefit, very few have the interest of boxing at heart,” Masamba told me in a telephone interview from Osaka after winning his first pro fight.
“Life in Osaka is fine, a world apart from our struggle back home and disrespectful people, here the Japanese are disciplined with a lot of respect for visitors.
“I’m living my dream, I’m in my own apartment and really admiring Japanese technology, I have my own bike I ride to the gym and back, almost everybody here has a bicycle. The place is peaceful, security is perfect I’ve not witnessed any criminal activity here unlike in South Africa where one can even be mugged in broad daylight, I don’t miss SA at all.”
What he’s missing is the food especially pap and t-bone steak.
“In Osaka mostly I eat rice, chicken and horse meat it’s very nice. I rarely cook because I’m tired after training so I buy my food from the restaurants.
“When I’m free I visit the many social amenities here and listen to jazz music I’m a fan of jazz.
“As for my training I’m enjoying every minute, depending on the schedule mostly I wake up at 7am for gymwork and do some road work up the hills two to three times a week.”
Sparring is normally five to six rounds against boxers from various gyms.
He has noticed Japanese like fighting a lot during sparring sessions and even in competitions.
“Guys here just wanna hit hard, they invite me to other gyms for sparring but I’ve only done it once even if they’re paying. I’m mindful of my wellbeing.”
Masamba joined TMK Boxing Gym, a professional boxing stable based in Osaka founded by Japan’s former WBO world bantamweight champion Tomoki Kameda. The gym is associated with the WBC Warrior Ascent Program, an initiative focused on supporting young talented boxers. He’s now being coached by a Mexican.
Before turning pro, Masamba was in Osaka for two months to assist Tomoki Kameda with sparring in his preparation for a rematch with South Africa’s Lerato Dlamini. Tomoki won on points in a 12 rounder on August 24, 2024.
Tomoki became the third brother of the famous Kameda family to win a world title in 2013 beating Namibia’s Paulus Ambuda to capture the WBO bantamweight title in the Philippines.
As if to show their confidence in Masamba’s ability to win a world title, his handlers have given Masamba the Japanese name Masaki Kameda.
Commenting on Tomoki Kameda, Masamba says: “Tomoki is a mentor to me and helps me where I need help. He’s a nice cool guy but when it comes to work he means business. I gained a lot from him for my first fight.
“I felt good after my first win in pro gaining more confidence through the victory, I felt okay maybe a bit nervous but excited,” says Masamba recalling his first pro victory.
Masamba, whose father is from DR Congo, turned pro after capturing the Africa light-welterweight title by outpounting Morocco’s Mohammed Alloua at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa during the finals of AFBC Elite Men’s and Women’s Africa Championships in October, 2024.
Boxing in his father’s homeland for the first time, Masamba was overcome with emotion as he embraced his cousins at the Stade des Martyrs following his decisive win over Alloua.
“Seeing my cousins in the arena was overwhelming. I couldn’t hold back the tears,” says Masamba, who had earlier reunited with family members in Kinshasa, a meeting he found deeply inspiring.
“I met them for only the second time in my life, and the warmth was incredible,” he added, reflecting on how meaningful the reunion was. Masamba dominated his final bout against Alloua, effectively using body punches and headshots, and later mentioned that Alloua employed some unconventional tactics. “He head-butted me three times and even tried to twist my arm, but that’s boxing, and I actually found it interesting.”
