RING SHOWDOWN: Adie takes on American pugilist Brown in heavyweight 12-round bout

Africa Boxing Union Champion Daniel Wanyonyi pose with his Belts after beating Samson Maisha from Tanzania in their Lightheavy Weight during the Team Boxing Promotion Non Tittle fight at Pumwani Social Hall, Nairobi on Sunday 18/01/15. Wanyonyi won on Knock out.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

Kenya is set to experience an explosive battle as Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) in conjunction with US based Bigger Than Life Promotions lines up a number of high profile bouts at Kasarani Indoor Arena on Saturday.

The main bout of the night pits American pound to pound pugilist Marcelles Brown against Kenya’s Bernard Adie in a 12 round heavyweight fight.

The contest will also act as an elimination bout for the World Boxing Federation (WBF) title to be held at the same venue next January.

Brown, 48, who hails from Louisville, Kentucky, US, has had a total of 51 fights of which he has won 32 including 24 Kos since he turned professional in 1989. He has lost 18 of which 13 are Kos and has drawn once.

On the other hand, 43-year-old Adie from Karachuonyo, Homa Bay County has had a total of 17 fights since turning professional on June 5, 2010 at Pal Pal gym which he won on points.

“This fight is once in a lifetime opportunity which I want to utilise fully. I have been stepping up my training ahead of this bout and I believe it has the capacity to open me other better opportunities if I post a good result on Saturday,” said Adie.

Brown’s entourage was expected to jet in at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 1am today ahead of the fight. Weighing in for the fight is slated for Friday at a Nairobi hotel.

Africa Boxing Union (ABU) title holder Daniel Wanyonyi is also pitted against Ibrahim Mutamba of Tanzania in a super middleweight fight.

Wanyonyi will be seeking to redeem himself in the fight after losing the WBF title to Opalach Przemyslaw of Poland in September 10.

Other fight cards pit police boxer Michael Shaka Nyawade against David Rajuli from South Africa in a super featherweight bout, Anderson Sifuna against Fred Sayuni of Tanzania.

Former world heavyweight champions Michael Moorer, Hasim Rahman and two time former world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman (WBC, IBO and IBF) will grace the fights.

“We are glad that our talks with the American promotional and entertainment firm under Ejay Mathews bore fruit. This event will put Kenya in the global map including as a tourist destination. I urge local promoters to join the bandwagon. This is just a tip of the iceberg of bigger and better things KPBC would be unveiling to the Kenyan boxing fraternity as we look forward to taking the game to the next level,” KPBC chairman Hillary Alila said.

The federation has also effected changes in its operations by bringing on board Alex Mwaniki who now replaces former international boxer James ‘Demosh’ Omondi, as committee member.

Omondi who brought Kenya glory during his time as Hit Squad member passed on a year ago.

The federation has also created the post of Public Relations Officer that will now be handled by Jimmy Chigi while Joseph Mboya replaces Nick Ndichu as KPBC assistant treasurer.