Kevin Hart famously once said entertainers want to become athletes, while athletes want to become celebrities. Celebrity boxing finally touched down in Nairobi and Michael Ochieng was front and centre to witness this creative-sport crossover.
It all began a few years ago when two of Kenya’s biggest entertainers, Eric Omondi and Khaligraph Jones, turned the spotlight from the stage to the boxing ring. The crowd could hardly believe what they were seeing. Two performers known for comedy and music were now squaring up, gloves on, ready to trade punches before cheering fans.
That bold and unexpected showdown planted a seed. It showed that Kenyans were ready for something different, something thrilling that mixed sport, entertainment, and raw personality.
That daring spirit returned to Nairobi in grand fashion with Celebrity Fight Night, Kenya’s first-ever celebrity boxing event. The highly anticipated night took place last Sunday, November 2, at The Alchemist, a space already known for its buzzing nightlife and youthful energy. But this time, it was transformed into something completely new.
Inside The Alchemist’s intimate open space stood a ring at the centre, its dark chain-linked ropes glistening under the spotlights. The air was thick with excitement as music pulsed through the speakers, setting the rhythm for what was to come.
Around the ring, hundreds of eager fans filled every corner, spilling into the walkways and balconies. Most were in their early twenties to mid-thirties, a lively crowd of enthusiasts, creators, and influencers ready to witness a night where sport met showbiz.
The line-up of fighters had everyone talking. Rapper and entertainer Barak Jacuzzi faced off against content creator Lumu in one of the main matches. Shaq the Yungin, a well-known media personality, took on Alby, while Jezza, a radio presenter, went head-to-head with Vic Max.
Rapper and entertainer Barak Jacuzzi (left) celebrates his victory over content creator Lumu during the Celebrity Fight Night at The Alchemist in Westlands, Nairobi on November 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
Another much-awaited bout featured Munyax, a rapper and member of Boutross’ AD Family crew, against Young Louie from Buruklyn Boyz’ 58 crew. Each match was charged with energy, laughter, and drama as the crowd roared, phones flashed, and cameras rolled. The atmosphere was electric, competitive, and filled with the kind of playful banter only Kenyan pop culture could produce.
At the heart of it all was HustleSasa, the team behind the event. Leading their vision was Nicole Kirui, the marketing and community lead, who explained how the idea was born and why it mattered so much for Kenya’s creative scene.
“HustleSasa started as a platform for creatives during the COVID period,” Nicole said. “Back then, artistes and performers could not make money because gigs had stopped. We wanted to give them a space to sell, whether it was music, fashion, or art. Over time, we transformed into a live entertainment space and a ticketing platform for event organisers. Now, we want to become the biggest partner for live entertainment in Africa. Celebrity Fight Night is part of that journey.”
Nicole explained that the event was not just for boxing fans but for everyone who loved creativity and culture.
“Fight Nights are usually for professional boxers,” she said. “We wanted to change that by involving celebrities and influencers who might never have boxed before. It makes the event more relatable, more entertaining. People love seeing their favourite stars in the ring; it becomes a shared story, a mix of live sport, entertainment, and community.”
She also spoke about Barak Jacuzzi, who balanced the roles of organiser, host, and fighter all in one night.
“Barak has worked with us before and honestly, he was the perfect fit,” she said. “He is one of Kenya’s top entertainers. I still do not know how he balances everything: training, performing, and promoting, but he does it so well. And that makes the event even more exciting.”
For Nicole and her team, Celebrity Fight Night was more than just an event. It was a symbol of how Kenya’s creative economy was growing and how entertainment could open new doors for collaboration across Africa.
“Our vision is to become the leading partner in live entertainment, not only in Kenya but across Africa,” she said. “We already have offices in Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. We want to bring creatives together across borders; imagine a fight between Diamond from Tanzania and Willy Paul from Kenya. It is fun, but it also helps artistes make money, tells our stories, and builds the creative industry.”
As the night unfolded, the matches became louder, the cheers stronger, and the excitement undeniable. Every punch thrown and every round fought marked a moment of creativity and courage. Yet, beyond the flashing lights and fast jabs, it was the stories of the fighters themselves that truly captured the spirit of the night.
Media personality Shaq the Yungin (left) and content creator Alby trade blows during the Celebrity Fight Night at The Alchemist in Westlands, Nairobi on November 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
One of the crowd’s favorites was Shaq the Yungin, a well-known media personality-turned-boxer for the night. Known for his charisma and energy, Shaq embraced the challenge with the same enthusiasm he brought to radio and television.
“I do TV, I do radio, I do events,” he said. “Now I am about to be a boxer.” For Shaq, the physical training was the toughest part. “Gym is no joke,” he laughed. “It takes discipline. Your mind and your body have to be in sync.”
Despite the intensity, he viewed the experience as more than just a fight, it was a movement.
“Being part of this new culture shows that we can make sports cool again. We can settle our differences in the ring and have fun while doing it.”
His ring walk song, “Buy the World” by Lil Wayne, captured his mindset for the night, a blend of ambition and confidence.
“It says, what do you think I am working for? I just want to buy the world and do the impossible,” he said. “That is what tonight is about.”
Just across the ring stood Alby, his opponent and friend. Unlike the fiery energy of Shaq, Alby approached the event with calm determination.
“We have been training together,” he said. “This is a challenge, not a fight between enemies.” He admitted that training had been tough, even leading to a hamstring injury after long hours in the gym. “I trained daily for about three hours. That is why I tore my hamstring,” he said with a laugh, pressing an ice pack to his leg.
For Alby, stepping into the ring was more than a physical challenge, it was a mental one.
“When you are in the ring, it feels like you are going into your own mind,” he said. “It is just you, your opponent, and the crowd watching. You face your fears in there.”
His chosen ring song, I Love It by Icona Pop, reflected his carefree attitude and his journey from doing daring stunts online like his infamous “buried alive” experiment to now facing an audience in a whole new way.
Despite their friendship, both fighters agreed that once inside the ring, there would be no holding back.
“When the punches start rolling, they roll,” Alby said with a grin. “Afterwards, we will hug it out and go back to being friends.”
Radio presenter Jezza (left) takes on content creator Vic Max during the Celebrity Fight Night at The Alchemist in Westlands, Nairobi on November 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
The bell rang and the crowd roared, Shaq and Alby stepped into the ring not just as opponents but as pioneers of a new Kenyan entertainment culture.
Their courage, humour and spirit perfectly captured what Celebrity Fight Night was all about; bold creativity, fearless performance and the thrill of trying something completely new.
As the night progressed and the lesser-known bouts set the tone, the energy in the room swelled. The match between Jezza and Vic Max showcased unexpected skill and heart. Vic Max, in his first ring appearance, surprised many by staying composed under pressure, while Jezza played to the crowd, mixing playful banter with solid punches.
In the undercard clash, Munyax took on Young Louie with both fighters pushing each other to their limits. Munyax brought raw rap-crew energy while Young Louie countered with slick moves and agility.
The crowd erupted when Munyax landed a clean combination in the second round and the bout ended with both men embracing, having given their all in front of cheering friends and fans. This brought together rival rap collectives in a spirited display of athletic contention.
Then came the quite anticipated headline fight between Lumu and Barak Jacuzzi, a rivalry that had brewed long before the ring walk. Their back-and-forth on social media and one-time personal dispute added extra tension to the bout. According to the two, the rivalry between them went beyond the ring, stemming from a stolen camera allegedly belonging to Lumu.
The backstory gave the main bout an emotional charge that heightened anticipation among fans. Once in the ring, Jacuzzi showcased superior skill and endurance, dominating most rounds to secure a decisive victory.
When the bell rang, Jacuzzi came out strong and took control, out-boxing Lumu in most rounds and ultimately claiming victory. The cheers rose loudest when the referee raised Jacuzzi's hand, marking a defining moment for Celebrity Fight Night and the creative-sport crossover it celebrated.
By the end of the night, as the lights dimmed and the music faded, one thing was clear, Kenya’s entertainment scene had entered a new era. Celebrity Fight Night had not only delivered an unforgettable show, it had proven that in Nairobi, creativity knows no limits and sometimes, it even wears boxing gloves.
