BOXING: Police, KDF renew rivalry in league meet

Isack Meja (in red, left) of KDF trade punches with Kevin Akoko (in blue, right) of Kisumu in their bantam weight category during the Boxing Association of Kenya 5th leg of the Sportpesa sponsored National Boxing League at Uwanja wa Mbuzi in Kongowea within Mombasa County, November 10, 2017. Meja won the bout. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]

Champions Kenya Defence Forces and eight-time champions Kenya Police renew their rivalry as the third leg of the National Boxing League heads to Mombasa from Thursday to Saturday.

It comes at a time when officials of the two teams are not seeing eye-to-eye from a decision by Boxing Association of Kenya to had the soldiers with the title.

Police finished the league with 121 points against KDF’s 120.

But after BAK overturned the policemen’s victory, KDF finished tops with 122 against policemen’s 121 points.

Police have vowed to appeal the verdict.

All league clubs have confirmed participation. They include KDF, Police, Kenya Prisons, Kenyatta National Hospital and Kisumu Combined.

Others are Coast Combined, Ndenderu, Kentract, Dallas Muthurwa, Githurai 44 Soweto, Nairobi County, Oscar Kassongo Sports Academy (OKSA), Kongowea, Thika, Kibra and Nakuru ABC. 

Meanwhile, heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder apologized after unleashing a punch that knocked down the mascot on an ESPN programme.

Wilder, appearing on ESPN Nacion to promote his December title fight against Britain's Tyson Fury, was asked to demonstrate his punching power by striking the mascot -- a man inside a burrito-themed foam costume.

The blow knocked the sombrero-wearing mascot to the ground, although ESPN said reports the man inside the costume suffered a broken jaw were incorrect.

"I apologise to the brave man that was injured (if this is true)," Wilder wrote on Instagram. "I respect him."