By Ben Ahenda

Olympian Nick Okoth of Armed Forces displayed some skillful play to dismiss Victor Odhiambo of Administration Police 5-0 to qualify for bantamweight final in the first leg of the National Boxing League at Madison Square Garden, Nakuru.

Okoth, who took part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and fell in the preliminaries, treated the encounter as training and proceded to win with ease after dominating all rounds.

The soldier, who was also a key member of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games team where he reached quarter finals, must now keep the same pace to be guaranteed a place in the All African Games team if his displays in this match is anything to go by.

He was to meet Stephen Gitiha of Nairobi in the final last evening.

Gitiha, who was fast against Martin Oduor of Police, was twice thrown to the canvas before taking control of the match to win 4-1. Peter Mungai of Police, who was also in the Commonwealth Games, forced Chris Vidija of Prisons to throw in the towel in the second round of their flyweight match.

Mungai faces Matayo Keya in the final after he (Keya) overwhelmed homeboy Jonah Kanyiri on a first round knock out. Joseph Njogu of Prisons, a prominent member of ‘The Hit Squad’, bowed out in the semis of the lightweight fight after falling 4-1 to upcoming Moses Gitonga of Armed Forces.

But Gitonga had to put in more efforts to overcome the stubborn warder. In the super heavyweight, Victor Ombok of Armed Forces cruised to the final after hitting Peter Opudi 5-0 on points.

Prisons’ Rayton Okwiri cruised to the welterweight final without throwing a jab after Sadiq Rajab of Administration Police threw in the towel.

His next opponent is Niven Okumu of Police after winning 5-0 against Salim Ali of Coast. A total of 46 pugilists entered for the championships after which 24 have qualified for the finals.

Amateur Boxing Association of Kenya is using the league to lay ground for those who will be selected into the National Boxing team for the All African games in Maputo, Mozambique in August.

Secretary General Isaac Mbote warned the players to take the league matches seriously if they hope to don national team colours.

"There is no automatic selection. Players must fight for the number of places that will be accorded to the team by the Government. They can all be assured it will be done on merit," said Mbote.