Wanyonyi warns Mandonga will kiss the canvas in fourth round

Kenya's Daniel Wanyonyi (left) and Karim Mandonga of Tanzania during weigh-in ahead of rematch at Sarit Centre. July 21, 2023. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Ladies and gentlemen, the time is here. It's officially a boxing Saturday!

Arc-rivals, Karim 'Mtu kazi' Mandonga of Tanzania and Kenya's Daniel Wanyonyi will take to the ring this evening in an epic Light heavyweight rematch to be staged at the Sarit Expo Center in Nairobi.

The bout, promoted by Maurice Odera of Ultra Fight Series Promotion, is expected to be mouthwatering going by the stakes involved.

Those who are not be able to make it to the venue can catch the fight live on Standard Group PLC's channel KTN Home.

Both fighters have pledged to send each other to the canvas with their trade mark jabs.

Sensational Mandonga has a well curved blow, which he has upgraded from the terrific Ukraine's Sungunyo to the offensive Russian Kinguki.

On the other hand, former African Boxing Union champion Wanyonyi will be unleash his 'doctor prohibited' Dusla blow on the showboating Mandonga.

"I swear it will not go beyond the fourth round! I'll clear him with a Knock Out," Wanyonyi told Standard Sports at the weigh-in at the venue yesterday.

"Doctors have barred me from using Dusla, it should only be extended to animals, but I'll use it illegally on Mandonga, let's meet in court," Wanyonyi jibbed.

"So far, I have prepared well for the fight. I have no nagging injury, I'm pledging my fans a very big victory, a win is a must, there is no loss in our vocabulary," Wanyonyi said.

anzania's Karim Mandong weigh-in ahead of rematch with Kenya's Daniel Wanyonyi at Sarit Centre. July 21, 2023. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

On the other hand, Mandonga says today will be a special night in which his Kinguki blow will shatter Dusla into pieces.

"I have eaten well, I have trained well, I have done my homework well, there is no stone left unturned,"he said.

"I have come to Kenya to do business and Wanyonyi will be the profit. To my fans, get your tickets early because this fight will be cleared in record time," Mandonga said.

Wanyonyi had a surprise loss to Mandonga on Technical Knock Out (TKO) in the fifth round at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi on January 14.

Since then, he has been stepping up his game at Pal Pal Gymnasium in Gikomba ahead of the expected cutthroat rematch today.

In his latest fight, Wanyonyi floored Charles Kakande of Uganda on TKO on March 25 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, the same night Mandonga also overcame Lucky Yamuzi, also of Uganda.

Apart from the Wanyonyi- Mandonga duel, there are six other fight cards lined up in the night.

Tickets for today's fights can be bought online at  ticketsasa.com. Advance general tickets goes for Sh1000 while the ringside/VIP goes for Sh5500.

At the gate, the same will go for Sh1500 and Sh7500 in that order.

Meanwhile, Britain's Maxi Hughes says he has earned the right to headline in America as he prepares to face former world champion George Kambosos today, adds BBC reports.

Hughes, 33, will fight Australian Kambosos in an IBF lightweight world-title eliminator at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

He has won 26 fights with five losses and two draws.

"I've had my tough times in boxing and I've shown a lot of mental strength," he said at Thursday's news conference.