On January 24, 2025, Yoshihiro Kamegai successfully defended his world boxing title against Kim Ye-jun at Tokyo's Ariake Arena. The match, which had gathered significant anticipation, ended in the fourth round with Kamegai delivering a decisive knockout victory. This marked Kamegai's third successful title defense as the reigning super bantamweight champion.
Facing unexpected challenges leading up to the fight, Kamegai was initially set to battle IBF and WBO number one contender Sam Goodman from Australia. Unfortunately, Goodman sustained injuries, delaying their matchup. Just days before the fight, Kamegai switched to facing Kim, who had previously established himself as a formidable challenger with notable victories over Japanese fighters.
The fight began with both fighters feeling each other out. The first round was cautious, with Kim initially applying pressure. Kamegai, utilizing his experience, took control of the ring, landing significant jabs and powerful rights. By the second and third rounds, Kamegai aggressively pursued Kim, leveraging his boxing technique to maintain pressure and dictate the pace of the match.
During the fourth round, Kamegai demonstrated his dominance. With the crowd roaring, he launched various strikes, including body shots, which visibly affected Kim. At 2 minutes and 25 seconds of the round, Kamegai delivered a powerful right straight which knocked Kim to the canvas, leading his corner to throw in the towel, thereby ending the fight.
Post-fight, Kamegai expressed satisfaction with his performance. "I want to make 2025 a significant year for myself," he stated, emphasizing his desire to continue improving and aiming for more significant matches abroad. He has aspirations to fight in major boxing venues, such as Las Vegas, later this year.
Kim Ye-jun, known as the "troublemaker" and the challenger with experience defeating Japanese boxers prior, faced disappointment at the loss. After the match, he expressed his regrets, shedding tears as he left the ring, overwhelmed by the experience. The audience, recognizing the effort he put forth, applauded him for his bravery and determination throughout the fight.
Despite Kamegai's overwhelming victory, the respect shared between both fighters was evident. The sportsmanship displayed post-fight highlighted the deep emotional and physical investment required to compete at such high levels of boxing.
Reflecting on the match, Kamegai's training, resilience, and strategic insights were pivotal to his success. His impressive knockout victory not only secured another title defense but also solidified his status as one of the top figures within the boxing world.
With this triumph, Kamegai extends his record, showing no signs of slowing down as he looks forward to challenging matchups on the international stage, affirming his commitment to continued success and growth within his boxing career.