Boxing: Kenya to host African referees training in March

Africa-wide Boxing referees training in Kenya World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaimán (centre) with the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission Chairman Edwin Kuria (right) and Secretary General Franklyne Imbezi at the WBC meeting in Azerbaijan last week

Mismatching boxers goes against sports ethics

Boxing officials have expressed concern over the rising trend of mismatched pugilists.

A meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, last week drew attention to the blatant disrespect of ethics of the game, where boxers with obvious differences in abilities are pitted against each other.

This is to enhance the winning titles for certain boxers and artificially raise their ranking for financial expediency, the meeting attended by Kenyan officials said.

“Central to the proceedings was also the need to expose our talent to international bouts and have more Kenyan boxers in the professional ring,” said Edwin Kuria, acting chairman of the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC).

Kuria said the meeting was an eye opener, adding that the decision to have Kenya host the African Professional Boxing meeting for judges next March would provide a forum to exchange ideas on issues affecting boxers.

“We are delighted to host the African Boxing Commission training meeting for judges and referees in Nairobi in March. It is a great honour for the country," Kuria said.

Twenty-six countries as well as World Boxing Council officials are expected to attend the training.

Boxing policy

Kuria decried the financial challenge facing boxing today, citing the lack of sponsorship and promotions.

He said the time had come to have a national boxing policy to steer the necessary environment for the growth of the sport.

“Boxers have been neglected. I would like a situation where all boxers are at least are covered by NHIF (National Hospital Insurance Fund) to take care of their medical needs.”

He cited the dire situation of former boxer Conjestina Achieng as something that had troubled the boxing fraternity.

Kuria, who is running for the KPBC national chairmanship in the forthcoming elections, said the organisation would push to reclaim social halls in urban estates.

“Our mission is to have these social centres properly equipped with state-of-the-art gym equipment and have a sustainable maintenance regime,” he said.

Currently, the country has 48 professional boxers and another 1,000 semi-professionals.

He said there was professional boxing league and promised to engage stakeholders, especially county governments, to form a county series league where young boxers could gain visibility and platforms to improve their game.

More promotions

The officials, including KPBC Secretary General Franklyne Imbezi, are upbeat that boxing can pay well, especially with more promotions and bouts.

“On December 2, (Fatuma) Zarika will be defending her WBC Super Bantamweight title and we are all here to support her,” said Imbezi.

Zarika will be defending the title against former world champion Catherine Phiri from Zambia.

Phiri ceded her WBC World bantamweight title to Mexican Mariana Juarez in a unanimous decision in Mexico City on April 1, but beat Tanzanian Flora Machela whom she knocked out Ndola, Zambia, on July 2. [George Orido]