After years of waiting, 30 boxers have been eventually promoted to take part in the National Boxing League this season.
This comes after the curtains came down on the National Intermediate Championships in Ongata Rongai in Kajiado County over the weekend which attracted over 100 boxers from all over the country.
The boxers have as well qualified to feature in the Kenya Open Championships to be hosted in Nairobi later in the year according to Boxing Federation of Kenya Technical Director Albert Matito.
"It's not easy but they have made it to the top league. From this season, these boxers will for the first time take part in the National Boxing League and Kenya Open Championships," Matito told Standard Sports.
Boxers who qualified reached the finals of the National Intermediate Championships whether they won or lost their bouts according to Matito.
They are led by Kajiado's heavyweight supremo Boniface Muchira who overwhelmed Clinton Okoth of Kisumu in the finals for the referee to stop the contest (RSC) in the second round.
"It's my pleasure to earn a promotion to take part in the senior national championships that could open doors for me to feature in future international competitions. It hasn't been easy but I have achieved it," Muchira told Standard Sports in a post-match interview.
Also to cruise into top-flight boxing is light heavyweight Samuel Kugelu of Kajiado who beat Douglas Muya of Homa Bay in the finals.
Former powerhouse Nakuru only secured two slots in the league championships through welterweight Justus Ndegwa who was beaten by Francis Lennox of Nairobi in the finals. The other was by Caleb Wandera (Nakuru) who was beaten by Michael Omondi of Nairobi in the light welterweight on points.
All in all, Nairobi and Kajiado produced the largest number of boxers who qualified for the league championships.
Nairobi produced 13 boxers followed by Kajiado five, Homa Bay four, Trans Nzoia three, Kisumu and Nakuru two boxers each while Vihiga, Machakos and former league champions Kenya Prisons had one boxer each.
Final results
Minimumweight (48kg) - Emmanuel Mswahili of Nairobi beat Francis Allan of Trans Nzoia on points.
Flyweight (51kg) - Peter Emmanuel of Nairobi beat Allan Hillary of Trans Nzoia on points.
Bantamweight (54kg) - Dennis Muia of Nairobi beat David Katana of Kajiado on points.
Featherweight (57kg) - Amos Amenya of Trans Nzoia beat Francis Oduor of Machakos on points.
Lightweight (60kg) - John Kanyike of Kisumu beat Brighton Onsongo of Kajiado on points.
Light welterweight (64kg) - Michael Omondi of Nairobi beat Caleb Wandera of Nakuru on points.
Welterweight (67kg) - Francis Lennox of Nairobi beat Justus Ndegwa of Nakuru on points.
Rachael Agata of Nairobi beat teammate Tracy Mueni on points.
Agnes Wambua of Prisons dismissed Barnice Emali of Vihiga in RSC Round two.
Light middleweight (71kg) - Elijah Odongo of Nairobi defeated Derrick Onyancha of Homa Bay on points.
Middleweight (74kg) - George Omondi of Nairobi beat Elvis Ouya of Homa Bay on abandonment second round.
Light heavyweight (81kg) - Samuel Kugelu beat Douglas Muya of Homa Bay on points.
Cruiserweight (85kg) - Kassim Abdii of Homa Bay beat Bruce Odhiambo of Kajiafo in RSC second round.
Heavyweight (91kg) - Boniface Muchira won on RSC second-around against Clinton Okoth of Kisumu.
