Kenya Police pugilists on course to retain boxing title

Julius Atito (in red) from the Kenya Prisons ABC trade punches with Humphrey Ochieng (in blue) from the Kenya Police ABC in their light weight category semi final bout during the Sportpesa Boxing Kenya National League First Leg at the Modern Fitness Boxing Lounge in Mombasa, April 15, 2016. Ochieng won the bout 3-0. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Defending champions Kenya Police are expected to retain the title with ease after they opened a nine-point lead against arch rivals Kenya Defence Forces as the fifth and final leg of the National Boxing League boxes-off at Madison Square Garden in Nakuru tomorrow.

The policemen made the final leg a formality by amassing unassailable lead at the fourth leg of the tournament in Machakos when their squad swept the board save for superheavyweight Kimathi Kinoti, who was the only boxer to lose.

Kenya Police assistant coach John Waweru said the title is theirs to lose but they are equally determined to repeat the same feat as was in Machakos.

The police team in Machakos included Shaffi Bakari (light fly), Maurice Ochieng (fly), Martin Oduor (bantam), Ethan Maina (light), Joseph Shigali (light welter) Boniface Mugunde (welter), Silas Masake (middle), Elly Ajowi and Tobias Okeyo.

“We can’t afford to lose a title that is already in our hands. It is only a miracle that could see us lose it to the soldiers after we closed the gap and surpassed them (KDF) last time,” Waweru told Feverpitch.

“Our boxers are in top form and we do not have any serious injuries that could pose a threat to us towards the title,” said Waweru.

Our efforts to talk to KDF head coach Sammy Magima or Team Manager Ben Maingi proved futile as they were not picking our calls.

However, Magima is expected to field his top boxers led by experienced lightweight Nick Okoth, Simon Mulinge (fly) and Victor Odhiambo (light welter) to contain marauding police squad.

Kenya Police are leading the log with 73 points ahead of KDF 64 followed by Kenya Prisons 35, Oscar Kassongo Sports Academy (OKSA) 22, Kentract 16, Coast Combined 15, Thika 12 points.

Kenyatta National Hospital, Githurai 44 - 4, Nyanza Combined 4, Kibra 3, Nairobi Metropolitan 3, Ndenderu 1, Muthurwa Dallas 1 and Nakuru ABC 0.

However, it will not be a smooth ride for the policemen who could face stiff opposition from upcoming pugilists from the nondescript clubs who are out to make a name and stamp their authority in the tournament.