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By Erick Ochieng’
It took Kenya’s Daniel Wanyonyi 30 seconds to clinch the vacant East and Central Africa middleweight title at an international boxing contest staged at the Pal Pal Gym in Nairobi over the weekend.
Wanyonyi ended Tanzanian Ambokile Chuse’s dream with a flurry of punches on the face that left his opponent confused and unable to gain gravity in the first round of the ten round contest.
Bout referee Francis Orlando and Judges Charles Oloo, Alfred Ang’eng’o and Lesles Muiruri declared Wanyonyi the champion barely a minute after the Tanzanian was unable to pick himself up to continue with the fight.
The win is a great plus for Wanyonyi, who was recently crowned the national champion in the same weight category. That was three months ago when he knocked out Mike Oliech in a pulsating battle in Nairobi.
“My training twice a day for three months made me fit for this fight, I am glad that I have added another feather in my cup today, “said Wanyonyi, 29, after he won the belt.
The weekend fight was Wanyonyi’s first international title contest even though he has fought in Tanzania and Uganda. Following the win Wanyonyi has taken his total fights to 21, won 14 (12 knockouts), lost five (two knockouts) and drawn two.
However, it was Chuse’s first international fight and the Tanzanian believed his opponent won because he stood a better chance in the ring owing to the home support.
“I am not happy that I didn’t give Wanyonyi a run for his money in the fight, “said Chuse, 31.
Out of his total 16 fights Chuse has now lost two. The bout was organized by Julius Odhiambo of the Team Boxing Promotions and was sanctioned by the Kenya Professional Boxing Board (KPBB).
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