Boxing: Going gets tough for boxers in Club Games

Light Heavyweight boxer Nick Abaka of KDF during the 8th bout of the 3rd Leg of the National SportPesa Boxing League at Ananas Mall, Thika County on Saturday, June 10, 2017. The boxer was tripped on his right foot by a cello-tape that acts as guardrail due to poor condition of the boxing ring. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD] 

It was yet another bad day in office for Kenyan boxers after they were knocked out of the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Cold Coast, Australia, yesterday.

Africa lightweight champion Nick Okoth Abaka, the captain of Kenya Defence Forces and former Amateur Professional Boxing (APB) light heavyweight pugilist lost to Zambia’s Mbachi Kaonga 30-27.

The Zambian knocked out Abaka 29-28, 30-27, 29-28, 28-29 and 30-27 as he summoned strong blows against the Kenya's tactical moves.

“I do not want to do the referees' job. They have made their ruling and I must respect the decision. You saw how good he was and I am sure you can make a fair judgement on the outcome,” said Okoth.

"All I can do is offer respect to the Zambian. You all saw what happened."

Abaka said the event was his last Commonwealth Games outing.

Abaka lost in the second round to Sri Lanka’s Waninchi in 8-4 at the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“I wanted to go out with my head held high and stage a good show. But what happened here is disappointing."

Despite the lose, Abaka is confident Kaonga is beatable. 

“Initially, I thought he is strong but when he started back pedalling, I knew the man can be tackled,” he added.

Abaka is happy that he ended the bout injury free unlike his colleagues who sustained cuts. He said he has no regrets whatsoever despite exiting the games early. 

“At least I have had a chance to represent Kenya in the AIBA Pro series,” he said.  

He added that the current tactics were not working for the country. 

“We need to change with the times because a lot has changed as well,” said Abaka, whose wish is to go into coaching after he retires. 

He said sometimes they are forced to learn about new rules during competitions because they are never updated. [Jonathan Komen]