Okwiri keeps alive his world title dream with WABA-Africa title win

Rayton Okwiri celebrates being crowned the Africa Waba Middleweight champion after defeating Chikodi Makawa of Malawi on unanimous points decision during their 10 rounds match played at Nyayo National Stadium on September 09, 2023. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kenya's Rayton Okwiri is the new World Alliance Boxing Association (WABA) Africa supreme middleweight champion.

Okwiri who is the former Africa Boxing Union super middleweight champion achieved the feat after defeating Chikonde Makawa of Malawi on unanimous points' decision in a 10-round contest at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday night.

By winning the title, Okwiri is steadily getting closer to his lifetime dream of winning a world title before hanging the gloves.

From that victory, Okwiri has extended his wins to 10 (with six knockouts), a draw and loss from 12 matches. (12-10-1-1).

Makawa's record stands at 18 loses (with five knockouts), 14 wins (with four knockouts) and a draw from 33 matches (33-14-1-17).

"It was a tough match but I was using it as a spurring and training match in readiness for another crucial fight coming over in a few weeks," Okwiri told Standard Sports in a post-match interview.

Okwiri is set to face Hassan Mwakinyo in an International Boxing Association (IBA) super middleweight match in Dar Es Salaam on September 29.

"This match against Mwakinyo (Hassan) is a serious one and I had to get ready for it. This is the reason I was using the weekend's professional fight for it," he said.

For a long time, Okwiri has longed for a fight against Mwakinyo.

"Mwakinyo is a good fighter and I'm ready for him at all times. He should also brace for a tough fight when we meet in Dar Es Salaam," he said.

Mwakinyo last fight in Kenya was at Kenyatta International Convention Centre on March 25, 2019 where he knocked out Argentine Sergio Gonzalez in the third round of the eight-round a non-title contest.

On his part, from Makawa's 32 professional fights, he has won 14 (with four knockouts), losing 17 (with five knockouts) and drawing one.

Okwiri's record after his last fight against Ally Ndaro of Tanzania, which he won stands at 11 fights for nine wins (with six knockouts), a draw and a loss (9 wins -(6KOS) -1 loss -1 draw).

Okwiri's team manager Cliff Mboya said: "Last Night, we witnessed fierce battles, incredible displays of skills and moments that will be etched in the annals of boxing history. We applaud the indomitable spirits of fighters who stepped into the ring and gave it their all."

And for the first time, former national middleweight champion Elizabeth 'Jaber' Akinyi who crossed over to the paid ranks last week won her first match as a professional boxer after she defeated Lucy Macho of Tanzania in a non-title middleweight clash.

Akinyi won the match on unanimous points' decision in the four round encounter.

"It was a tough match on my debut as a professional boxer. I'm happy to have won amid tough times and hardship that I have gone through," she said.