Mandonga v Wanyonyi rematch set for July

Light heavy-weight Daniel Wanyonyi (left) of Kenya and Karim Mandonga of Tanzania during the announcement of their rematch on Friday. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The stage is already set for a rematch between Tanzanian showboating pugilist Karim 'Mtu Kazi' Mandonga and former African Boxing Union (ABU) Light Heavy champion Daniel Wanyonyi.

Mandonga has pledged to finish off Wanyonyi with a newly crafted jab dubbed 'Kinguki' from Russia in the slug off to be staged at the Sarit Expo Center in Nairobi on July 22.

"I'm encouraging his fans to turn out in large numbers to see how I will confirm my victory over him on the day," Mandonga stated at a press conference in Nairobi on Friday.

"Truth and lies will be revealed on the day, I'll beat him whether he likes, I'll beat him whether he doesn't," Mandonga reiterated.

The Tanzanian said he doesn't care about past records of Wanyonyi as he is in Kenya to make money.

In his response, Wanyonyi has declared that this is his time for redemption.

Wanyonyi who is keen to bag victory in the bout promised an earth shaking show in the ten round bout that will leave Mandonga clutching on thin air.

"I promise he will not go beyond the first round," Wanyonyi said.

"I have polished up, I'm the old ferocious Wanyonyi that you knew.I'm fit and raring to go.

"I'm telling my fans to expect a very big victory on the day, they should not worry," Wanyonyi told Standard Sports.

Wanyonyi had a surprise loss to Mandonga on TKO in the fifth round at the Kenyatta International Sports Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on January 14.

Karim "Mtu Kazi" Mandonga (Left) from Tanzania on receiving end from Daniel Wanyonyi during their Non-Title Super Middleweight 10 Rounds bout at KICC in Nairobi on January 14, 2023. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Since then Wanyonyi has been stepping up his game ahead of the expected cutthroat rematch.

"I have already done enough training at the gym.

"My loss to Mandonga made our camp not to break after the clash, we have been training ever since.

"I have rectified the mistakes that made me lose that fight," he stated.

Wanyonyi noted that some of the mistakes that cost him the bout included a long lay off due Covid-19 pandemic which affected his training schedule.

"I only stepped into that ring at the KICC because of experience, I was not fit," he admitted.

"I did not do any sparring which I have so far done this time round, I also did not do any build up match ahead of the contest," he stated.

In his latest fight, Wanyonyi floored Charles Kakande of Uganda on TKO on March 25 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena same as Mandonga who also overcame Lucky Yamuzi, also of Uganda, on the same day.

Ahead of his rematch with Mandonga, Wanyonyi is stepping up training at the Pal Pal Gym where he trains twice a day under head coach Julias Odhiambo.

Fight promoter Maurice Odera of Ultra Fight Series Promotions has pledged fans a high-profile bout that will send the spectators to the edge of their seats.

"We are out to give fans a thrilling show, the boxers will be well remunerated in the fights," Odera underlined.

Kenya Professional Boxing Commission president Reuben Ndolo said there will be transport for Eastlands fans from town to Westlands on the day of the fight.

Ndolo urged the fans to turn up in large numbers to grace the bout which he stated will give them a run for their money.

"This is a very big fight, the promoter has connections in England and Saudi Arabia where we are hopeful to take two or three boxers from this competition to go for title fights later in the year," Ndolo stated.