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The Nairobian

King of the ring: Japheth Atandi shines at Wangila Memorial Boxing Cup

Boxing

By - ERICK OCHIENG’ | Nov 17, 2013

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Japheth Atandi receives his prize from Reuben Ndolo during the Robert Wangila Memorial Boxing Cup fourth leg in Nairobi, on Saturday as Steve Njoroge looks on. [PHOTO: ERICK OCHIENG’ /STANDARD]

Japheth Atandi of Our Queen of Peace floored his teammate Steve Njoroge on technical knockout in the third round to win the lightweight bout during the third leg of the Robert Wangila Memorial Boxing Cup held in South B, Nairobi.

Atandi sent his opponent to the canvas in all the three rounds, proving that he was no match for Njoroge who seemed to have lost focus during the bout, yesterday.

“I had trained hard ahead of the fight. My dream is to make it to the Kenya Hit Squad by next year,” Atandi, 23, told FeverPitch after the fight which he won easily.

Due to his growing prowess in the game Atandi has already been identified by the Kenya Prisons who have pledged to sign him up next year.

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“I can’t wait for my first ever participation in the Kenya National Amateur League should I join Kenya Prisons,” said the boxer.

According to Atandi, training with top Kenya Hit Squad members like Nick Okoth, Nick Abaka, Rayton Okwiri and Benson Gicheru has made him improve by the day.

“Actually, Gicheru (from Police) and Okwiri (Prisons) are my role models locally. I like the way they control their punches and their resilient nature. I hope soon I will join them in the Kenyan team,” said Atandi whose other role model is global champion Floyd Mayweather. Njoroge, who doubles as a matatu driver, attributed his heavy defeat on job commitment saying he lacked time to train adequately for the series.

“I have a passion for boxing but the nature of my job do not give me the adequate time to train. I will try to train hard and take part in the remaining series,” Njoroge said.

While praising the third leg of the series Commonwealth Sports Council Director Reuben Ndolo said he is glad to be part of the change agents who are taking boxing to the grassroots.

“Our aim is to produce the best for Kenya in the forthcoming Olympics,” said Ndolo.

Ndolo had tipped Nairobi County boxers to triumph in the forthcoming Kenya Youth Championship that has been announced by the Amateur Boxing Association.

Kawangware will host the fourth leg on November 29-30, while the fifth leg will be at Korogocho on December 11-19. The grand finale will be at Mbotela Social Hall on December 27-28. —[email protected]