Okoth wins, sets eyes on All African Games slot

All African Games
Nick Okoth (R) of Kenya defence forces trade punches with Kennedy Onyango of Ken Track in their 60kg lightweight bout at Kaloleni Social hall in Nairobi on July 02, 2015 during the All Africa Games team trials. Kennedy Onyango won on points.Photo/Stafford Ondego/www.pic-centre.com. (KENYA)
 

Nick Okoth of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) decisively pounded Kennedy Onyango of Ken Track in the preliminary rounds of the Boxing Association of Kenya All Africa Games and Commonwealth Youth Games selection at Kaloleni Social Hall in Nairobi, yesterday.

Okoth won the one-sided light weight (60kg) encounter 3-0 after a super display in the opening round.

“I was uneasy against a global opponent in the ring,” said Onyango.

The second round was a bit more aggressive for both sides. Furious Onyango cornered Okoth, but lacked skills to execute the killer punch. This left Onyango frustrated and gasping for breath and Okoth was able to capitalise on this to toy around with his opponent, slotting one single punch to another to dominate the round.

Third round was another circus for Onyango, who spent the most of his time fleeting around the ring rather than sending punches. Okoth cornered his opponent and he hit him blow after blow until the bell rescued the loser, ruling out a potential knock out by a whisker.

“This is great for me. I am taking each bout at a time. I hope to make it to the All Africa Games at the end of this contest,” said Okoth who is also a former Commonwealth Games bronze medalist.

Teresia Wanjiru of Prisons won 3-0 against Rehab Matanda of Administration Police in the women’s light welterweight (64kg). Veronica Mbithe of Metro won 2-1 against Jane Atieno of Box Girl in the women’s fly weight (51kg) category.

Matayo Keya of Kenyatta Hospital won 2-1 against John Gitau of KDF in the light fly. Peter Mungai of Police also won 3-0 against Isaac Ochieng’ of Nakuru in the same category.

Bantam weight winners were Kennedy Okelo of Prisons (knock out) and Martin Oduor of Police (3-0) who beat Jeremy Abuko of Nakuru and Isaac Ochieng of Kibra respectively.

Patrick Owino of Ken Track won 2-1 against Ben Omondi of Coast in the light welter. Jacob Kimathi of Prisons won 3-0 against Kennedy Omondi of Nairobi in welter weight. Middleweight winner was Demcy Odhiambo of Ken Track who overcame Patrick Maina of Nakuru.

In the youth light fly, Abednego Kyalo of Metro knocked out Amza Abdul of Kibra in the second round.

The selections have attracted 130 boxers from 13 clubs. The Games will be in Congo Brazzaville in September. The Youth Games will be in Samoa the same month.

Kenya will pick five boxers for the Commonwealth Youth Games and a similar number in the women’s category for the AAG while the men’s senior category will comprised of 10 pugilists.