Sarah Achieng, the Commonwealth Boxing Council and World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Women's World super lightweight champion, almost gave up on her career because of a nagging back injury.
Nicknamed Angel of War, the 38-year-old was away for over one year before her return in August with a first-round stoppage of Martha Akinyi from Uganda in a non-title bout in Nairobi.
Achieng says she is now in good shape and ready to defend her Commonwealth title against Tanzania’s Feriche Mashauri on Sunday at Redroom Arena in Kilimani, Nairobi.
It will be Achieng’s second defence of the belt she claimed for the first time when she beat Anisha Basheel of Malawi in 2021 before defending it against Chiedza Homakoma of Zimbabwe at Charter Hall in 2022.
Commonwealth Boxing Council Champion Sarah "Angel of War" Achieng (centre) declared winner of the Vacant World Boxing Foundation women World Superlight weight Title at Nairobi, Charter Hall in 2023.
Achieng claimed her second global gong when she outclassed Edith Soledad of Argentina for the vacant WBF World super lightweight belt on June 10, 2023 in Nairobi.
“Nothing is so stressful to a sportsperson like an injury that isn’t healing. You can easily give up. You are between a rock and a hard place,” said Achieng.
“Since I know I belong to the boxing ring, I decided to stay positive. I prayed and asked God to help me so I can return to the ring.”
Achieng, who has several girls she is mentoring to take up boxing, said she had to stay strong for them.
“They love seeing me in the ring but the injury slowed down everything and getting back takes time,” said Achieng, adding that she is ready for Mashauri, who hails from Kongwa in Dodoma but has her training base in Dar es Salaam.
Achieng has 19 bouts under her belt; 17 wins that includes nine knockouts and two losses. She has not suffered any knockouts.
Sarah Achieng' of Kenya (right) in action against Malawi's Anisha Basheel during their Commonwealth Super Light Weight 10-round bout on October 20, 2021 at Charter Hall, Nairobi.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Mashauri, 27, has fought 20 times; won 11 of them, including three knockouts. She has lost eight bouts that includes three knockouts and has drawn once. Her last bout was against fellow country woman Christine Raura whom she beat in unanimous decision on September 20, this year in Dar es Salaam.
“I have Mashauri’s bouts, she looks good but I have answers to that. I am always ready since my life is in the gym,” said Achieng, adding that her desire is for the bout to stretch the full 10 rounds.
“I won’t be in a hurry to dispose of her but if a kayo happens, let it be,” said Achieng, who hopes to secure more major bouts in the coming months.
In one of the undercard bouts, the outspoken Karim “Mtu Kazi” Mandonga will slug Kenyan champion Denzel Onyango in a non-title cruiserweight bout.
Also, Martha Akinyi will take on Everline Akinyi in welterweight, while Jane Kavulani is up against Rael Ashubwe in super bantamweight.
