GICHARU EYES GLORY: Benson is two wins away from an Olympic slot, as Rayton Okwiri needs one victory to qualify

2014 Commonwealth Bronze medalist Benson Gicharu Nganjiru. 09/09/14. Photo: Jonah Onyango.

Bantamweight Benson Gicharu faces off with Turkish Selcute Eker during the third round of the Amateur Professional Boxing(APB) championships in Paris, France on Thursday.

Gicharu, who has so far taken part in two bouts (won one, lost one) must overcome the Turkish boxer to enhance his chances of making it to next year's Rio Olympics. Gicharu jets out this weekend alongside two coaches David Munuhe and Maurice Maina.

Munuhe, who is also the Boxing Association of Kenya Public Relations Manager, said Gicharu has a Herculean task ahead of the Olympic qualification and must overcome the Turkish pugilist to enhance his chances to the big games.

"A win for him makes it easier for him in the last match as he still remains with two rounds of matches before knowing his fate ahead of the Rio Olympics," he said.

John Waweru, who is one of the Level Two trained AIBA coaches, shared the same sentiments.

"Gicharu must win the two matches to book a slot for next year's Olympic Games. Although it will not be easy, the technical bench is working round the clock to see he gets close to this," said Waweru.

Rayton Okwiri, who is the other Kenyan player with a higher chance of making it to the Rio Games, will meet Turkish Sipal Onur in Baku, Azerbaijan on January 23. Taking part in the welterweight, Okwiri has won two of his three bouts and lost one.

"Okwiri stands a good chance of an Olympic qualification slot as long as he maintains the winning streak. He now requires a third victory to make it to the big games," said Munuhe.

Middleweight Nick Abaka is the only Kenyan boxer yet to win any of his three matches and takes on Ukraine Mytrosanov Dmytroc in Turkey on January 23.

Abaka is training under Mwangi Muchine and James Wasau.