Okong'o proves too good for Malian boxer

KDF's Edwin Okong'o (right) in a past action against Police ABC's Silas Masake. [File]

African Games middleweight gold medallist Edwin Okong'o knocked out Mahamadou Gory of Mali in a light heavyweight bout of the second leg of World Olympic Qualifiers at Bangkok Indoor Stadium in Thailand on Saturday.

That's a positive start for the Kenyan team as they continue chasing for tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Okong'o knocked out the Malian in the first round in the round of 64.

Deputy coach David Munuhe described Okong'o as a boxer who's in a class of his own.

"The boy (Okong'o) was good all round during the match. He's in a class of his own and we believe he's bound to do better in the subsequent bouts," Munuhe said.

Okong'o will now face Ganzorio Dalal of Mongolia in the round of 32.

Although Okong'o won it, Gory was equally a polished boxer and was beaten on the account of experience and good form by the Kenyan boxer. This is according to Munuhe.

"The Malian was equally a good player but lost on account that Okong'o was too good for him," said the coach who added that the victory had raised their morale in the fight for top honours.

"Morale is now high in our camp as we approach more of such matches after that. We are taking a match at a time and hope the same trend (of winning) continues."

Deputy captain and Africa Boxing Championships light middleweight bronze medallist Boniface Mogunde takes on Walsh Aiden of Ireland on Sunday.