Angelo Leo-Tomoki Kameda: Stats and Stakes
Early morning featherweight title action from Japan
One punch can change a lot.
Last August, one punch changed the trajectory of a career and an entire weight class.
Luis Alberto Lopez had won 13 in a row and defended the IBF title three times to achieve consensus regard as the top featherweight in the world. Angelo Leo, four years removed from a brief title reign at junior featherweight, was an underdog largely forgotten since a lone loss to Stephen Fulton.
Leo made everyone remember him against Lopez, landing one of the best shots of 2024 and winning a title in his second weight class.
On Saturday, while many in the States are still sleep (ProBoxTV.com, 2:30 AM EST), Leo will attempt his new title for the first time in a strategically interesting locale. He travels to Japan to face the youngest of three storied brothers in Japan, former bantamweight titlist Tomoki Kameda.
The winner is fighting for more than a title.
The victor will be four pounds north of one of the few genuine rainmakers in the sport. Assuming he keeps winning at junior featherweight, it’s only a matter of time until Naoya Inoue arrives at featherweight. Inoue versus a Kameda would sell. Leo defeating a Kameda would introduce himself to Japan and make him viable as well.
Who leaves with the IBF strap in mere hours?
Let’s get into it.
Stats and Stakes
Angelo Leo
Age: 31
Title: IBF Featherweight (2024-Present, 1st Defense)
Previous Titles: WBO Jr. Featherweight (2020-21)
Height: 5’6
Weight: 125 ¾ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Record: 25-1, 12 KO
Record in Major Title Fights: 2-1, 1 KO
Last Five Opponents: 127-15-3 (.886)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: L12 Stephen Fulton; KO10 Luis Alberto Lopez
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None
Vs.
Tomoki Kameda
Age: 33
Title: None
Previous Titles: WBO Bantamweight (2013-15, 3 Defenses)
Height: 5’7 ½
Weight: 125 ¾ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Osaka, Japan
Record: 42-4, 23 KO
Press Rankings: #7 (TBRB), #8 (ESPN)
Record in Major Title Fights: 4-1, 1 KO (5-3, 1 KO including interim and sub-title fights)
Last Five Opponents: 110-16-3 (.864)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Paulus Ambunda UD12; Jamie McDonnell L12, L12; Rey Vargas L12
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Pungluang Sor Singyu KO7
The Pick: This has the potential to be a scorching fight. Leo and Kameda both come forward and throw. In looking at the recent fights for both men, there will be an understandable inclination to favor Leo given the big win over Lopez. A closer look shows there to be reason to pause. Leo is a fundamentally solid fighter who does good work to the body and has proven he can get a quality opponent out of there. Kameda is also fundamentally solid, from a fighting family, and with a home court advantage.
Kameda also appears to have an advantage in hand speed. Height and reach are minimally different between the two. Three of Kameda’s losses, to McDonnell and Vargas, were too freakishly tall for the weight class opponents. His close split of two fights with South Africa’s Lerato Dlamini were against an opponent with very quick hands. The question is whether Leo can grind away at Kameda and out work him or Kameda can consistently land first before Leo gets off.
It’s been a decade since Kameda has held a major title but his recent outings suggest a fighter with plenty left in the tank. The pick is Kameda to snare a decision in a good fight.
Rold Picks 2025: 14-11