Young boxers eager to make it to top league

Kangemi's Tonny Muoki (left) and Fredrick Kamau of Thailand Boxing Club in action. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

With the National Intermediate Championships set for Thika next week, young boxers have expressed their ambitions to get promoted to the national boxing league.

A number of boxers have in the past missed the opportunity for two years and it's time to try their luck this time round when the showpiece heads to the industrial town of Thika from April 20-22.

"It comes when I had missed the opportunity a number of times. However, I'm ready to box again with an aim to qualify to the top league," said Leslie Odhiambo of Nakuru who plies in the flyweight.

He said he is ready to give his best despite falling to Nicholas Muuo of Nairobi in the finals of the National Novices Championships a few weeks back in the city.

Nakuru produced a number of male and female boxers heading to Thika, and sky is the limit according to their coach Lemid Thiong'o.

"We expect a few of our players to get promoted to the top flight league after a good show in the Intermediate championships," he said.

Minimumweight Stanley Mathenge of Nairobi is another boxer also wishing to be promoted to the top league.

"We have done our best from the grassroots to this level and are ready not to let our coaches down," said Mathenge.

In Vihiga, light heavyweight Victor Okeke is also another boxer hoping to make it to the national scene.

Okeke was beaten by Javan James of Kisumu in the finals of the novices championships.

"Despite my loss in Nairobi, it'll be a different game plan altogether in Thika. I'm ready to play on the big stage," said Okeke.

A total of over 200 boxers are expected in Thika according to national boxing association official.