Ugandans give Nakuru boxers a hiding in international friendly tourney

Boxing
By Ben Ahenda | Apr 26, 2026
Light Fly Weight's Tonny Muoki (left) of Kangemi Boxing club and Fredrick Kamau of Thailand Boxing Club during Nairobi 5th League at New Trade Market, Githurai on Dec 14, 2024.[File, Standard]

Nakuru boxers were too weak for Ugandans in an international friendly tournament at Madison Square Garden in Nakuru City on Friday night.

The Ugandans, who looked more experienced than their opponents, won through a referee stop contest (RSC) in most of their matches.

At the end of the day, Uganda Cobs amassed 26 points to lift the inaugural Carlos Muthee Mwangi Memorial Cup in honour of the departed former Nakuru ABC coach Carlos Muthee Mwangi.

Hosts Nakuru ABC were runners-up with 15 points ahead of Molo, who posted three points.

In all 16 bouts, the Ugandans won all of them save for the one involving Nakuru's Moses Joseph, who taught Ugandan minimumweight boxer Ashraf Dimirire to secure a 2-1 victory.

"I gave a good account of myself in all three rounds. It was equally a tough match, but I was ready for it after several losses by my teammates," Joseph told Standard Sports.

Nakuru ABC head coach Lemid Thiong'o said, despite the loss, the match had given his boys some good exposure required to promote his standards to the next level.

"This was part of how we want to revamp this team as we give them exposures one after the other to build these youngsters for a better tomorrow," explained Thiong'o.

He said the losses have come at the right time, which was part of the build-up ahead of the league championships set for the city on May 14-16.

Out of their 16 bouts, Uganda won six on RSC, explaining how inexperienced Nakuru boxers were.

Nakuru boxers who were beaten on RSC were bantamweight Felix Kuria, featherweight David Karanja, welterweight James Kiragu, middleweight Evans Bosire, lightweight Winnie Shishali, and super heavyweight Peter Njima.

Kuria, Karanja, Kiragu, and Shishali were all beaten in the third round by the Ugandan quartet of Moses Kimera, Yusuf Bin Abdalla, Ronnie Mukisa, and Brenda Muduwa, respectively.

On their part, Bosire was beaten by Ashiraf Mpanga in the second round, while Njima suffered at the hands of Jonathan Galiwango in the first round.

In other matches, James Mokua of Molo was beaten on points by Daniel Ssekibanda of Uganda on points in the lightweight division.

Amos Korir of Molo was also beaten 3-0 by Dennis Muleme of Uganda in the light welterweight division.

Share this story
Green Commandos, St. Mary's Yala Set for 'School Mashemeji Derby' in KSSSA National football final
A classic western Kenya football rivalry will take centre stage on Thursday when Kakamega High School and St. Mary’s School Yala clash.
Embattled FIFA chief Infantino in emergency talks, suffers Figo blow
President Gianni Infantino held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco, amid a wave of criticism over his now shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment.
Alonso hails 'emotional' Mudryk return in 1-0 loss to Juventus
Manager Xabi Alonso hailed Mykhailo Mudryk's "emotional" return from a doping ban as the winger played for Chelsea for the first time in nearly two years in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Juventus.
Gor Mahia coach Akonnor impressed with his side ahead of Champions League battle
Akonnor said the tournament has been important in helping his players improve as they prepare for bigger continental assignments.
Why Kenya captain Gondaria has reason to be hopeful after series against Bahrain
Captain Dhiren Gondaria says the Men’s T20 International and 50 Overs Bilateral Series between Kenya and Bahrain was a golden opportunity to take the country back to world cricket.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS