LUIS NERY OVERCOMES KYONOSUKE KAMEDA IN DECISIVE FASHION
Former champion Luis "Pantera" Nery returned to the ring with conviction on February 22, 2025, delivering a resounding victory over Kyonosuke Kameda. The fight, held at the Auditorio Municipal de Tijuana, marked Nery's return to form after experiencing setbacks earlier in his career.
At 30 years old, Nery, born and raised in Tijuana, approached this match with dire urgency. With a career record of 35 wins and 2 losses, he faced Kameda, who held a record of 15 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws. After enduring his last loss to Naoya Inoue, where he was knocked out, Nery needed this win to stay relevant and motivate future title opportunities.
The buildup to the fight was rife with tension, highlighted by Kameda's determination to prove himself on foreign soil. Both fighters nearly clashed during the pre-fight promotion, setting the stage for what fans anticipated as a fierce showdown.
Coming to the weigh-in, Nery's initial attempt saw him exceed the 124-pound limit by two pounds, leading to frustration from Kameda and even confrontations between the two. Despite the pressure, Nery managed to weigh in correctly on his second attempt, alleviating some concerns about his physical state heading to the ring.
The fight commenced with both fighters displaying their skills, but it quickly became clear Nery was ready to control the tempo. He utilized his powerful left hand, landing blows early on and establishing dominance. Kameda's defense, which was expected to be formidable, began to falter under Nery's aggressive assaults.
According to boxing analyst Jake Donovan, "Nery quickly found a home for his left hand, which he landed in various forms." Nery's jab found its mark, setting up combinations of uppercuts and straight lefts, culminating in Kameda being pushed toward the ropes, visibly shaken by the onslaught.
Throughout the fight, Kameda attempted to counter Nery’s ferocity with movement and his own punches; he showed resilience, particularly during the second and third rounds, but he struggled to maintain consistency. Nery showcased his strategic prowess, responding effectively to Kameda’s limited attacks and maintaining pressure.
By the fourth round, Kameda's resistance diminished as Nery's punches increasingly penetrated his defenses. Nery, having found his rhythm, delighted his home crowd as he unleashed flurries of power shots. Even as Kameda sought to recover, Nery's offensive precision kept him under constant threat.
A significant moment came at the start of the sixth round when Kameda was examined for cuts sustained during the fight. Despite medical interference to assess his worsening condition, his corner allowed him to continue. Yet by this time, Kameda appeared overwhelmed, attempting to fend off Nery's relentless assault.
The seventh round proved to be the climax of Nery’s strong performance. A well-placed body shot floored Kameda for the first time, though he managed to rise after the count. Nery pressed on, not allowing any breathing space as he landed another flurry of punches, resulting in Kameda slumping to the canvas once again, prompting the referee to halt the bout at 2:23.
“This win is right on time, and I needed to show everyone I'm still here,” stated Nery upon his victory. The win not only reinstated him among the elite of the division but also ended Kameda's unbeaten streak.
Both fighters were eager for this matchup, with Kameda seeking to assert himself as he prepared for his first fight outside Japan. He was quoted saying, "I came to win and show who I am. I will knock him out with one punch," reflecting his ambitions and fiery demeanor leading up to the fight.
Nery's latest performance underscored his capacity for power and technique, allowing him to regain traction for future championship contendership. Having taken this step back toward greatness, Nery could be angling for additional title shots soon, as he now stands as one of the possible candidates for the super bantamweight championship.
With the Tijuana crowd echoing their approval and ambitions for Nery renewed, the next chapters of his career are poised to be equally compelling. He has not only redeemed himself but also reminded the boxing world of his prowess.