Abaka eyes rebound: Kenyan captain faces Ecuadorian Suarez in Turkey

Nick Abaka gives a blow to Humprey Ochieng during the Defence Forces Boxing Championship 2013 at the DOD Hurlingham. Abaka won. 07/11/13 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Hit Squad captain Nick Otieno Abaka jetted out of the country yesterday for his second leg of Aiba Pro-Boxing series, which will take place in Istanbul, Turkey on Friday.

Abaka has stepped up training alongside other Aiba pro-boxers, Rayton Okwiri and Benson Gicharu, at Pal Pal Gym in Pumwani, Nairobi.

He was optimistic to record his first victory in the series this week. He attributed the loss of his first fight a fortnight ago on limited time for preparations as he was busy chasing important traveling documents.

"I lost the first bout due to inadequate preparations. As you know I was a late inclusion with little time to prepare as compared to my opponent. But this one I have no excuse. I had time and I believe I prepared well," he said.

Abaka will slug it off against Ecuador's Delgado Suarez Marlo Artem. Weighing in for the middleweight bout will be tomorrow. The fight will be staged at Caferaga Spor Salonu Complex where all the Turkey based Aiba Pro-Boxing second leg will be staged.

Just like Abaka, Marlo, the 2012 London Olympian, lost his first fight to Russian top seed and 2010 European gold medalist Artem Chebotarev. Marlo was disqualified just ten seconds to the end of the fight after three successive warnings by the referee to keep his gum shield in which he failed.

Abaka lost his fight to Turkey's home favorite and 2007 Aiba World Championship bronze medalist Adem Kilicci on points. Marlo is poised to meet Kilicci in their second round.

Okwiri (welter) and Gicharu (bantam) will leave the country on Monday for their fights slated for November 29 in Baku and Argentina respectively.

Okwiri won his first bout against Australian top seed Marcos Nader in Baku, Azerbaijan while Gicharu lost his on unanimous decision against fellow Olympian and Argentina home favorite Alberto Melian.

Boxing Association of Kenya (Bak) has written to Kenyan embassies in Argentina, Turkey and Azerbaijan to accord the boxers warm reception and mobilise Kenyans living in those countries to support the boxers during the fights.

"It is very lonely when a boxer fights outside there without any support. The boxers can do well with fans urging him on and this is why we are requesting the embassies to mobilise support. We have already given them the fight details so they can do the needful," said Kameta.

All the Kenyan Aiba Pro-Boxers have been on intense training under contracted Aiba coaches - John Waweru, David Munuhe (both of Kenya Police), Patrick Maina (Prison) and Mike Mutime (Coast) at thPal Pal Gym in Nairobi.

According to Kameta, the coaches have been allowed to handle the boxers based on their experience and skills since they have undergone high profile Aiba training which the federation facilitated in Italy in August.

"Also we are giving young coaches a chance in this series to prepare them for future local and international games. We would like local coaches, National Olympic Committee of Kenya and Sports Ministry officials to accompany the boxers in the Aiba Pro-Boxing third leg that will be underway in January 2015," said Kameta.