South African Lerato Dlamini and Japan’s Tomoki Kameda will meet in a rematch on August 24 in Osaka, Japan, in an eliminator to determine the IBF’s No. 1 featherweight.
“It’s signed and sealed,” confirmed Dlamini’s manager and trainer Colin Nathan.
Dlamini (pictured), who won their first contest in October with an upset split decision plans on a repeat victory.
Initially, Ukrainian-born Arnold Khegai was in line to face Dlamini but pulled out when his promoter, Top Rank, lost the purse bid to PBC. Boxing 5, in conjunction with PBC, had planned to stage the eliminator this month in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Then, the IBF went to the next available contender, which was Kameda, and he accepted the eliminator right away and was rewarded with home advantage for a second time.
Dlamini, however. Is unconcerned.
“Japan is a nice country. The people are friendly and welcoming. I am very happy now that I got a chance to be number one and fight for a world title,” said the South African. “I am going to win. I am going to stop him. I just simply have his number.”
Nathan is pleased his fighter has the opportunity, even if it means travelling.
“Lerato trusted the process and had a lot of patience while this all was happening,” said Nathan, “and I told him that the rematch against Kameda was looking likely to happen. And here we are.”