By Erick Ochieng’

Odhiambo Akim, Philmon Mangeni and Kennedy Onyango from Western Boxing Club won in various categories as the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) Kenya National Novices Championship ended in Nairobi at the weekend.

Lightweight Akim and Mangeni, who fights in the bantamweight category, emerged champions in their categories at the closely-contested event at St Teresa’s Hall in Eastleigh.

However, Onyango’s loss to Kenya Police boxer, Jackson Melia in light welterweight category was marred by claims of poor officiating from the boxer.

" I urge judges to be fair in their ruling," said Onyango after his controversial loss on points to Melia in the three-round bout.

Charles Okoth (right) and Elphas Khainga during the ABA National Novices Championships. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

TOUGH VERDICT

"Although I am forced to accept the verdict, I will prove them wrong at the Intermediate Level next month here," said Onyango.

Brian Kilonzi also in the second round at the finals after failing to keep up with pressure in the ring. Akim pounded his rival, Chris Njoroge, from Central Region, forcing the referee to stop the contest as Njoroge bled profusely.

"I won through a tactical approach. I feel I have been inspired by the win to shatter records at the finals of the Intermediate Level next month," said Akim, who is yet to gain a national title.

Mangeni won on points in his closely-contested category against Kamau Ng’ang’a of Nairobi ABA. Mangeni, who won all his bouts from the preliminaries, paid tribute to Ng’ang’a’s fighting spirit. The season is proving good for ABA Western Region Boxing, to which Mumias Sugar Company-sponsored Western Boxing Club is affiliated.

IMPROVEMENT

Last year, the region took only one boxer up to the novices’ finals. ABA Western Region Chairman Rashid Mohammed said he was impressed by their performance at the novices’ final at the weekend, saying the success was made possible through Mumias Sugar’s sponsorship. Mumias Sugar Head of Factory Jonah Amuyoma, who doubles up as team’s treasurer, said the splendid display has injected a sense of team spirit in the boxers.