National Light Welterweight champion George Onyango (left) and Opponent Fred Nyakesha during Big Time Boxing Promotion press briefing ahead of 'The Grudge Fight' in Nairobi on November 24, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Defending light-welterweight champion George Onyango has a chance to fight for a continental title if he wins the national light welterweight (67kg) title fight against Fred Nyakesha at Charter Hall on Saturday.

It will be the second time the two boxers will be trading blows after the first bout on September 8, 2019 at Kenyatta International Convention Centre that saw Onyango win the match on unanimous points’ decision that was bitterly contested by Nyakesha.

The fight promoter Chris Kinyua of Big Time Boxing Promotions predicted the match to be tough due to the rivalry that has been witnessed in the past between the two players.

“The two boxers are bitter rivals and it will be an interesting bout for the duo as each is confident and ready to outdo the other after the one ended controversially,” Kinyua told Standard Sports.

Onyango who turned professional in 2017 and has so far had nine professional fights winning six fights (with five knockouts), losing two (all knockouts) and a draw starts as a favourite.

Onyango’s agility and energy gives him an upper hand against the 40 year-old Nyakesha who has had 11 professional fights since he joined the paid ranks in 2011.