MASAMBA WINS SECOND FIGHT AND GRADUATES TO 10 ROUNDS
▪️ The South African boxer has made a huge impact in the Japanese pro boxing scene
Japan’s Takuya Hashimoto (7-8-1, 7 KOs) became the second victim of John “Masaki Kameda” Masamba’s cruel fists, failing to last the distance in their recent light-welterweight fight in Osaka, Japan.
Masamba’s relentless onslaught forced the referee to stop the fight in the first round as Hashimoto buried his face under both gloves for safety.
“I knew I was going to win I had so much confidence,” Masamba, a gold medallist in the 2024 African Championships, told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview from Osaka where he is based.
“Much as I was confident I had to guard myself to avoid undermining my opponent.”
Masamba (2-0-0,1 KO) praised the Japanese boxer for accepting to fight him because most of the boxers at the B level are getting scared of fighting Masamba who has already made a huge impact since turning pro in Osaka, Japan.
“If I wanted to knock him out I would have done it immediately after the bell because of his awkward style.
“I’m grateful he accepted to fight me. I hit him hard with a left hook he started skating away. I knew he would not last for long.”
Masamba has now graduated to 10 rounds and will soon be ranked by the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF), a professional boxing organisation that sanctions fights in the Asian and Pacific Region. He will vie for a title next year probably against the reigning OPBF light-welterweight champion.
In his first fight Masamba, now training at TMK Gym owned by former world champion Tomoki Kameda, outpointed China’s Yesiolati Nasiyiwula in a six rounder. His second fight was scheduled for eight rounds.
“I want a challenge, meet the best boxers because I want to be better as well as upgrading my style,” Masamba told me in our phone interview.
Masamba, whose father is from DR Congo, is held in high esteem by his handlers in Osaka who view him as a future world champion.
