Japanese boxing’s bete noir Koki Kameda has quit the sport after losing to countryman Kohei Kono in their WBA super flyweight title match in Chicago on Friday.
“I knew before the fight it would be my last,” the controversial Kameda told Japanese media Saturday after losing a unanimous decision. “I trained hard so I could finish with no regrets. Now I can make a clean break (from boxing).”
The 28-year-old Osaka native, who was bidding to become the first Japanese boxer to capture world titles in four different weights, has had a colourful career since bursting onto the scene as a trash-talking teenager.
Champion Kono had been ordered to defend his title against Kameda, but the volatile challenger has been banned from fighting in Japan along with his younger brothers Daiki and Tomoki.
All three have fallen foul of Japanese boxing officials after trouble flared at various fights involving the trio.
Daiki was banned for a year in 2007 after a fight which ended in farce when he picked up his opponent and slammed him to the canvas.
Koki, who worked the corner for his brother in that fight, was fortunate to escape with a warning after television microphones picked up his advice to elbow this rival in the eye.
He finished with a record of 33 wins, 18 by knockout, and two defeats.