PBC announced Figueroa versus Kameda as the co-main event beneath Sebastian Fundora’s previously revealed WBC super welterweight title defense against Ermal Hadribeaj. The broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV and DAZN.
Kameda’s selection is not ideal from a competitive-merit standpoint. The 35-year-old has not fought since losing a 12-round majority decision to IBF featherweight champion Angelo Leo in May 2025. He is moving directly from one failed title bid into another without recording a comeback win.
Familiarity is his appeal, but the name belongs to a fighter more than a decade removed from his best period. Kameda captured the WBO bantamweight title in 2013 and completed his three-defense reign the following year. His championship accomplishments are now part of boxing history rather than evidence of his present standing at featherweight.
Kameda has repeatedly fallen short when stepping up since that reign. He lost consecutive decisions to Jamie McDonnell in 2015, dropped a wide decision against Rey Vargas in 2019, and split two fights with Lerato Dlamini. His other wins came against middle-of-the-pack opposition before Angelo Leo defeated him last year.
That history limits how much can be taken from Kameda’s competitive performance against Leo. Another respectable defeat does not establish him as one of the leading featherweights. His recognizable name, durability and past championship remain the selling points.
Can Kameda Control Figueroa’s Pressure?
Through 47 professional fights, Kameda has never been stopped, but durability alone will not solve the tactical difficulty. Figueroa does his best work by forcing opponents into prolonged exchanges, attacking the body and maintaining a pace that becomes harder to match as rounds accumulate.
Keeping the fight at a controlled distance will require lateral movement, straight punches and counters. Kameda’s majority-decision loss to Leo showed that he can remain competitive over 12 rounds, although Figueroa presents a more exhausting physical test. That requires him to collect early rounds without allowing the champion to pin him down and begin sustained body attacks.
At featherweight, Figueroa looks physically established. Moving up from 122 pounds has not reduced his output, and the stoppage of Ball showed that his power carries late into championship fights. His combination of volume, physical pressure and finishing strength now gives opponents several concerns to manage.
Defensive openings remain available when Figueroa commits to extended combinations. Kameda’s best chance will come from making him miss during those attacks and answering before the champion resets his feet. Remaining on the ropes for extended periods would allow Figueroa to impose exactly the fight he wants.
“Brandon Figueroa is a great champion, and I know that when the bell rings, we’re going to give the fans a fight they’ll remember,” Kameda said.
This may also represent Kameda’s final title shot in a second division. More than 13 years have passed since he captured his bantamweight belt, and another defeat would leave him with consecutive losses in featherweight championship fights.
Carrington Fight Drives The Matchmaking
The booking gives PBC a practical compromise. Kameda is safer than placing Figueroa directly into another championship fight, but he is easier to promote than a little-known contender. His history, durability and competitive showing against Leo provide enough credibility for television. The weakness is that his selection follows a defeat and nearly 17 months of inactivity.
DAZN has already connected Figueroa with WBC featherweight champion Bruce Carrington. A unification between them would carry considerably more competitive value, with Carrington’s speed, movement and counterpunching testing Figueroa in ways Kameda may no longer be equipped to do.
This fight fills the space between Figueroa’s victory over Ball and a possible Carrington meeting. Kameda has enough experience to punish a poor performance, but his age, inactivity and latest result make this a favorable first defense for the champion.
Jermall Charlo will also meet Koen Mazoudier in a 10-round super middleweight bout on the October 17 card. Mazoudier defeated Sam Beck by decision on August 26 and will return fewer than eight weeks later.
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