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Ex-African super middleweight champion Wanyonyi puts his national title on the line in Nairobi
Daniel Wanyonyi (left) and challenger Daniel Owino during Melk Promotion 'Roar in the Ring II' weigh-in at the Kenyan National Archives on July 18, 2025. The bout will be held at Charter Hall in Nairobi on July 19, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Daniel Wanyonyi was to feature at a world title undercard bout in Germany in May this year but the promotion was deferred.
- Daniel Owino, who has four wins under his belt, said it’s a dream come true for him to take a shot at the national title.
Veteran fighter Daniel Wanyonyi will defends his national super middleweight title against his namesake Nakuru’s Daniel Owino during the “Roar in the Ring II” professional boxing extravaganza at Charter Hall, Nairobi on Saturday.
Wanyonyi, 41, the former Africa Boxing Union (ABU) super middleweight champion, said he is ready to give the upcoming Owino some memorable lessons in their 10-round Melk Promotions bout.
Melk Promotion Chief Executive Officer Ezekiel Mwabili said the title fight will have 16 support bouts featuring boxers from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The Fight Card also includes two para-boxing contests that will be held for the first time in the country.
However, Wanyonyi, who has a record of 46 bouts -- 30 wins, 16 losses and two draws, is cautious, saying he can’t underrate Owino, whom he understands as an explosive and fast boxer.
Dream come true
Owino, who has five fights -- four wins and one loss, under his belt said it’s a dream come true for him since he has been longing for a shot at the national title.
It will be Wanyonyi’s first fight since losing to Michal Ryba of Czech for the vacant Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) world light heavyweight title on December 21, last year at Vodova Arena, Brno, Czech Republic.
Wanyonyi was to feature at a world title undercard bout in Germany in May this year but the promotion was deferred.
“This one against Owino came at the right time since I am still in competition mode, having not stopped training after the aborted fight in Germany,” said Wanyonyi, who welcomed Owino’s brace challenge, saying no Kenyan pugilist had come out to challenge him for the title.
Wanyonyi is yet to defend his title since winning it six years ago when he knocked out Jacob Maganga at the Impala Sports Club ground, Nairobi.
Super Middleweight boxer Daniel Owino during the Melk Promotion Roar in the Ring Boxing weigh-in at the Kenya National Archives in Nairobi on July 18, 2025. The bout will be held at Charter Hall in Nairobi on July 19, 2025.
“People feared me since I won the Africa title back in 2014 but you can only learn when you meet the best,” said Wanyonyi, adding that he never underrates any boxer, whether upcoming or experienced, because every opponent presents unknown strength and qualities.
Owino said that when he picked up boxing in 2002 while aged 15 years, his first coach the late Peter Maurice,advised him to always fight the best boxers.
“He told me always that my game will always improve with quality opponents, who will teach you something in the ring,” said Owino. “He told me mediocre boxers will leave you happy with nothing in achievements.”
Owino, 37, who was brought up in Nakuru, warned Wanyonyi to expect a torrid encounter.
“Wanyonyi is a legend by right but I will show him some of my skills and take away that title. He has held it for long,” said Owino, who has been training in Nakuru under coach Isaac Kibet.
Owino represented Nakuru and Administration Police besides featuring at Kenya Defence Forces Inter-Services as an amateur.
Fight Card
1. Daniel Wanyonyi (Ken) v Daniel Okoth (Ken) - Super middleweight Kenya national title (10 rounds)
2. Omar Karanja (Ken) v Dennis Ashley (Ken) - Super Feather
3. Jeremy Munga (Ken) v Boniface Nzangi (Ken) - Feather
4. Stanley Museve (ken) v David Kileo (Ken) - Welter
5. Victr Komen (Ken) v Lawrence Owino (ken) - Feather
6. Fredrick Omondi (Ken) v Joseph Mutua (Ken) - Feather
7. Collins Nyakwaka (Ken) v David Ochiend (Ken) - Light
8. Abdul Razak Mwenga (Tan) v NIck Mwangi (Ken) - Light
9. Dennis Okoth (Ken) v Amri Omary (Tan) - Middle
10. Samira Kassim (Tan) v NIcholine Achieng (Ken) - Bantam (Women)
11. Muhammed Faki (Tan) v Owen Isaac Kibira (Uga) - Welter
12. James Ssebalumu (Tan) v kelvin Masanja (Uga) - Welter
13. Stanley Mugerwa (Taz) v Shafii Idria (Uga) - Middle
14. Cathrine Nanziri (Tan) v Dorothea Muhozi (UGa) - Bantam (women)
Para boxing
15. George Atito v Augustus Kamau
16. Emmanuel Agavihi v Evans Odhiambo
