By GILBERT KOECH
Nairobi,Kenya:East and Central Africa bantam weight women professional boxing champion Fatuma Zarika confirmed her comeback to edge out Farida Namugerwa from Uganda’s on points in a fight staged at Nairobi City Hall.
However, Zarika’s bout was not the main fight. Light weight six-round contest pitting Uganda’s Hamza Wandera against Tanzania’s Osward Maneno was the most exciting and could have gone either way. The ring judges however, gave victory to Wandera.
Zarika, 28, who was born in Mathare, kept her opponent under constant attacks with her classic jabs and under-cuts, especially in the second round of their four-round bout.
Namugerwa regain her footing in the third round and took the fight to Zarika pinning the Kenyan to her side of the ring.
Call-umpire Billy Kiremi was busy separating the two and Zarika used her experience to hold at arm’s length her opponent. Things however turned to the Kenyan favour in the final round as Zarika scored points to be declared the winner.
Francis Kimani almost stole the limelight in the light weight category fighting against John Gicharu. KImani won the bout with a technical knock-out decision.
Kimani send Gicharu kissing the canvas in third round of a four-round bout with fans in wild cheers.
Charity Mukami was ruthless unleashing jabs to leave her opponent Loise Nabwaya recoiling in defence. She won on a knock-out in the middle weight category.
Fred Negesa confirmed his prowess and that he is the king of ring before his home fans. Negesa beat Zongo Herre from Democratic Rebublic of Congo, though through a points decision during their light weight category fight.
Joseph Odhiambo went down to Vicky Lolenga from Democratic Republic of Congo through points decision. The judges gave him the win in the middle weight category.
Men’s Bantam weight boxer Nick Otieno gave Athony Karuiki a thorough beating to claim the victory also on points. Gabriel Ochieng brought down the curtains in style handing Joshua Omukula a knock-out in the Super-Bantam weight category.
