19 November 2009 / REUTERS, TOKYO
Controversial Japanese boxer Koki Kameda plans to marry his childhood lover if he wins the WBC flyweight title later this month. Kameda has promised to knock out champion Daisuke Naito in three rounds in their Nov. 29 grudge fight but was unusually coy about his impending nuptials.
“Don’t talk about that!” Kameda told the Japanese media on Wednesday. “Yes I’ll settle down if I win and probably get married. Next question.” The 35-year-old Naito insisted age would not be a factor against Kameda, who turned 23 on Tuesday. “I’ve put in so many miles of running,” said Naito. “You worry about losing a bit of stamina at 35 but psychologically I’m younger and sharper than him.” Naito beat Kameda’s younger brother Daiki in an ugly brawl two years ago when the challenger picked him up and slammed him to the canvas, incurring a one-year ban.
