Kenya's Okaka falls to England's Shittu

Sports
By Ben Ahenda | Jul 31, 2026
Kenya's Robert Okaka (red) in past action against DRC's Anauel Ngamissengue. [AFP]

Kenya's last boxing hope, Robert Okaka, has bowed out of the Commonwealth Games Boxing Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Okaka was beaten on a unanimous points decision (5-0) by England's Dimeji Shittu at the SEC Centre of Scottish Events Campus on Wednesday night.

The boxer, who gave a good account of himself in the three rounds, wasn't lucky, just like his first three teammates who had bowed out earlier having indicated their ambitions to reach the medal bracket.

It was a match that could have either been won or lost on a split-points decision had Okaka been accurate on target and faster with his jabs, just like Shittu, who now proceeds to the semi-finals.

Okaka, who was the only Kenyan boxer left in the big games, bowed out as a polished and established fighter from his exploits in the bout.

He proceeded to the last eight having beaten Tanzania's Yusuf Changalawe on points in the Round of 16.

"We are here to get to the respectable stages of these games after some rigorous training sessions here and at home," Okaka had told Standard Sports before the match.

The unanimous points' decision showed that all five judges favoured the English fighter.

Okaka gave a good account of himself, particularly in the second round, but was not accurate on target as opposed to his opponent, who was good in the first round.

Kenya was represented by four boxers in the contingent who included Okaka, light middleweight (70kg) Boniface Mogunde, featherweight (57kg) Amina Martha and lightweight (60kg) Rosemarion Achieng'.

All four boxers lost on a unanimous points decision, indicating their inability to score points at the international level.

Their focus now shifts to other international assignments all around the globe.

Share this story
KCB chasing Kabeberi 7s history
KCB head coach Andrew Amonde believes his players are ready to respond.
World Cup bound Kenya Chipu savour Barthes Cup glory
Kenya’s under-20 rugby team, Chipu, are savouring a record fourth Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy after completing an impressive campaign with a 33-14 win over Namibia.
Kenyan trio eye vacant girls' East Africa volleyball throne
Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) games that begin tomorrow in Morogoro, Tanzania, will miss its most dominant powerhouse Kwanthanze Mixed Senior School.
Kenyans chase rugby 7s double as girls seek to snatch throne from Uganda
After months of grueling battles, the last six rugby 7s teams will be looking to stamp their authority at this year’s East Africa games that begin tomorrow in Morogoro, Tanzania.
Messi says not certain to play "much longer" after father's death
"I don't know what I'll do without you, I don't know how to go on," Messi wrote
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS