Kenya Police, KDF have many boxers in semifinals

Kenya Police, KDF boxers reach semis

Julius Atito (in red) from the Kenya Prisons ABC trade punches with Humphrey Ochieng (in blue) from the Kenya Police ABC in their light weight category semi final bout during the Sportpesa Boxing Kenya National League First Leg at the Modern Fitness Boxing Lounge in Mombasa, April 15, 2016. Ochieng won the bout 3-0. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Defending champions Kenya Police landed seven players and Kenya Defence Forces six in the semis of the third leg of the National Boxing League at Anasnas Supermarket Mall in Thika on Thursday night.

The performance of the two teams rekindled their rivalry as the battle to select a formidable squad for the National Boxing Team to take part in the African qualifiers for the World Boxing Championships in Congo Brazzaville next month intensified. 

The policemen, who secured the semis tickets included light fly Shaffi Bakari, bantam Benson Gicharu, light Ethan Maina, welter Boniface Migunde, middle Humphrey Ochieng, light heavy Elly Ajowi and heavyweight Tobias Okeyo. Bakari and Okeyo (Tobias) were given byes.

Bakari was scheduled to fight Nichodemus Kinuthia of Congo Soweto who had defeated Abdalla Athumani of Kongowea 2-1 points while Okeyo was to meet George Wejuli of Coast Combined.

Gicharu (Benson) who demolished David Mathu of Dallas Muthurwa was to take on Simon Kinuthia of Oscar Kassango Sports Academy (OKSA) 3-0 in a semifinal clash.