Boxers fight for top honours during inaugural Obunga Memorial Cup

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Ten boxers punched their way to top at the inaugural Harold Obunga Memorial Boxing Cup held at the Kaloleni grounds, Nairobi, at the weekend.

Olympian and Nairobi representative Elizabeth Odhiambo Andiego cruised over Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) representative Eunice Mukami with a 3-0 win in the women’s light welter category.

“It was such an easy bout, I knew I was on course to winning after studying my opponent’s first punch which was soft and off target,”Andiego told FeverPitch.

Commonwealth bronze medalist and KDF boxer Nick Okoth staged a mighty show against Japheth Atandi to win on a Technical Knock Out (TKO).

Okoth easily dismissed  Atandi, representing Nairobi, in the three-round light weight contest. Okoth, whose morale was greatly boosted by the win, is now focused on the forthcoming National League.

KDF’s Fadalla Omar was another great boxer to watch  in the bantam weight bout that he won 3-0 against Calvin Okello of Nairobi. Omar concentrated his upper cuts on Okello’s jaws and temple to end his opponent’s hope of winning.

Shaffi Bakari, also of KDF won the light fly contest against Nairobi’s Francis Kirigi after dominating just like his team-mates did during the contest which saw Nairobi win the children’s contest (U9 years) through Joseph Wanyama who beat Duncan Omondi  2-1.

Nairobi’s Wycliffe Oganda won in the children’s U10 years category against team mate Hillary Odhiambo. Nairobi’s Fredrick Odhiambo won in the  light weight category against KDF’s Patrick Owino.

Paul Mwaura of Nairobi   bested his teammate Edward Omollo  in the second bout that ended in a TKO during  the event.

Martin Kisungi of Nairobi won 3-0 against teammate James Osore, while KDF’s Hezron Maganga hit George Bwire of Nairobi 2-1.

A total of ten bouts involving 20 boxers were staged at the historic Kaloleni grounds. Sponsors who came on board to assist the late Obunga’s family organise the inaugural event included Caleb Kuya of Osaga Promotions, Makadara MP Benson Mutura, former Makadara MP and international boxer Reuben Ndolo.

“I am glad the event was a success. I urge the Obunga family to include professionals to make the event bigger and better next year,”Kuya said.

Ndolo said he was supporting the event to bring boxing back to the estates where the game belongs.

“Events like this should be done monthly in all Nairobi Eastland’s estates to help the youth stay away from vices like drugs and alcohol. I urge the Government to live to its pledge of promoting sports including boxing,” said Ndolo.

Widow of the late Obunga, Alice Koki Otieno, 51, said the event reminded her of her husband. She married the former national heavyweight boxer in 1993. He died in 1995. “So far 18-years have passed but all that I remember is his boxing prowess and ever smiling face. I believe this event is on course to tap great talent  in Eastlands,” said Koki.