Defeat of Nick Okoth leaves fans in shock

National boxing team captain Nick Okoth. [File]

Kenyan boxers at the 21st World Boxing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia have posted dismal results, but it's the defeat of 2015 Africa Boxing Championships lightweight gold medallist Nick ‘Commander’ Okoth that stung the most.

Okoth, who is the most decorated and experienced boxer in the 13-man-squad, was lost to Alexy Dela Cruz of Dominican Republic on unanimous points decision.

Cruz was too good for the Kenyan captain in the final two rounds after Okoth had made a good start in the first round.

Gold medallists will pocket Sh11million), silver medallists Sh5.5,million and bronze medallists Sh2.7million.

So far, seven Kenyan boxers have lost their matches in the round of 32, with only Maurice Maina in the minimum weight making it to the last sixteen. He got a bye in the opening round.

The seven are flyweight David Karanja, lightweight Nick Okoth, light welterweight Victor Odhiambo light middleweight Boniface Mogunde, light heavyweight George Cosby Ouma, cruiseweight Hezron Maganga and heavyweight Joshua Wasike.

In all, 17 of the 41 boxers from Africa have been eliminated. Yesterday, featherweight Martin Oduor was set to meet Nkosi Lutaka of Democratic Republic of Congo.