Kenya Police, KDF boxers dominate first leg of national league in Kitale

Team Kenya boxer Christine Ongare in action on July 26, 2022 at National Exhibition Centre in West Midlands Birmingham in United Kingdom ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games between Thursday, 28 Jul 2022 - Mon, 8 Aug 2022 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Kelly Ayodi, Standard)

Africa light middleweight bronze medallist Boniface Mogunde yesterday won the first leg of the National Boxing League in the same weight category in Kitale.

Mogunde, who boxes for league champions Kenya Police, swept past Abdul Wali of Vihiga after the match was abandoned in the second round for the referee to save the latter from further punishment from the experienced policeman.

"It has been good to start the league championships on a high and we are equally determined to continue with the winning streak," said Mogunde.

Once again, the bitter rivalry between Kenya Police and Kenya Defence Forces came to the fore as their boxers scrambled for victories one after the other.

Other police officers who won their bouts include Christine Ongare, Joseph Shigali, Ethan Maina and Shaffi Bakari.

Ongare, who competes in the minimumweight (48kg) easily dispatched Mary Aluoch of Siaya on points.

Shigali beat Tony Owino of Kisumu in the welterweight as Maina defeated Boniface Mose of Kibra in the light welterweight (63.5kg), all bouts were won on points.

But it was a great comeback for KDF as they bagged six victories to put the law enforcers on notice.

They were flyweight Veronica Mbithe, featherweight Isaac Meja, lightweight Pius Macharia, middleweight Edwin Okong'o and flyweight Kevin Maina. [Ben Ahenda]