Kenyan boxers set for Aiba tourney in Argentina and Azerbaijan

Reigning Olympic flyweight silver medalist Benson Gicharu is among 80 boxers set for the AIBA Professional Boxing Championships in Argentina and Azerbaijan.

Kenya’s and reigning All-Africa Games bronze medalist Rayton Okwiri has also been picked by the world boxing body alongside Gicharu for the championships.

The two top Kenyan boxers will battle it out in the international competition which will also feature word stars.

Okwiri, who won a bronze medal at the 2011 All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique, will open his campaign against WBO winner and Austria star Marcos Nadal in the welterweight category on October 26, 2014.

Okwiri recently won gold in the 2014 Lion’s Cup international tournament held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

“I am determined to perform well this year. This is a big event for me and I promise Kenyans not to let them down,” Akwiri told FeverPitch in Mombasa, yesterday.

Gichuru, who is also the Common Wealth Silver medalist, will open the ring against Argentine Alberto Meilian.

Africa has produced only nine boxers, with six from Algeria, two from Kenya and one from Egypt.

Boxing Association of Kenya President John Kameta expressed optimism that the boxers will lift world belts despite challenges in training.

Kameta said the boxers will compete twice over six rounds of three minutes to establish world rankings in the ten weight categories.