Boxing: Kenyan boxers dominate Osaga Boxing Promotion contests

By ERICK OCHIENG’

KENYA: Kenyan boxers dominated their Tanzanian rivals during the Osaga Boxing Promotion contests, which were staged at the Cameo Casino in Nairobi at the weekend.

Kenya’s Judy Waguthii, who contested the event’s main card, knocked out Tanzania’s Grace Kamere in the fourth round of their middle weight non-title fight.

“She was better at the start but forgot to guard her face. That gave me the opportunity to land a few punches and dominate the fight,” said Waguthii.

The bout now takes Waguthii’s record to 22 fights, 13 wins, four knockouts, six losses and three draws.

Kamere, who lacked height in the fight, said she is ready to fight Waguthii in a rematch. However, she revealed that boxing in Kenya is far more developed than in Tanzania. The win redeemed Waguthii, 28, who lost the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) female light welterweight title to Svetlana Kulakova of Russia in August.

James Onyango, who is gradually growing into a welterweight bigwig, destroyed another Tanzanian fighter Ibrahim Maokola, knocking him out in the fifth round of their 12 round bout.

Onyango started very strong and lively, overpowering his opponent by the third round. He landed several uppercuts, pounding the Tanzanian to submission.

Concerning his win Onyango told FeverPitch: “I am glad to have increased my winning tally to 16 in the 25 fights that I have in my boxing career. My plan now is to look for an international and local title to add to my cup.”

Another Tanzanian, Juma Suleimani endured heavy suffering in the hands of Nicodemus Otieno Okudo aka Kanyankole, who easily won the bantamweight contest through knockout in the fourth round.

The former World Boxing Council and Africa Boxing Union champion who steps up his training at the Kariobangi Social Hall said he found Suleimani easy to keep at bay despite engaging in two other heavy fights in the course of last month.

Kanyankole has boxed in Nigeria, Thailand, Philippines, United Kingdom, Burkina Fasso, and South Africa where he posted impressive results.

Moris Okola managed to beat James Nyakire on knockout in the second round in their heavyweight bout.

Fred Nekesa won 3-0 in the light weight three rounds bout against Steve Wanjohi while Joseph Akahonya edged Francis Kimani 3-2 in the three round featherweight duel at the venue.

The fights were organised by Denmark based Kenyan boxing promoter Caleb Kuya of Osaga Boxing Promotion. Kuya assured boxing fans of another contest in February.

The fights were sanctioned by Kenya Professional Boxing Commission whose chairman George Athman urged other promoters and corporate world to come on board to help in the promotion of boxing in the country. 

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