Koki Kameda, the WBA bantamweight champion, won a 2-1 decision on Tuesday over Mexico's Hugo Ruiz. It was Kameda's fifth title defense.
Neither Kameda, fighting for the first time since injuring his left hand in April, nor Ruiz made any headway through the first half of their 12-round bout. Ruiz was able to use his longer reach to keep Kameda from pressing his attack.
In the final stages at Osaka's Bodymaker Coliseum, however, Kameda began landing effective punches. He found an opening in the sixth round and although he rocked Ruiz by countering with a right hook, the Mexican did not go down. From the 10th round, however, Kameda was able to seize the initiative with his jabs that earned him the decision.
"I've felt pressure each and every day, but in front of this tremendous crowd of Osaka people, I'm satisfied with this result," Kameda said.
Kameda improved to 29 wins, 17 by knockout, and one defeat. Ruiz fell to 31 wins, including 28 knockouts, and two defeats.