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Kenyans fight for regional boxing titles
Joshua Wasike (cruiserweight) and George Onyango (super welterweight) are set to fight Tanzanian opponents for the vacant East Africa Boxing Commission (EABC) titles.
For the second time in three months, local boxing fans will be treated to top professional boxing bouts in a push aimed at reviving the sport.
Kenyan professional boxing is slowly recovering from a dearth of activity occasioned in part by a lack of promotions. Rogue promoters who fail to pay boxers after fights have also discouraged the growth of the sport, as boxers turn professional with no meaningful engagement in the paid ranks.
Female boxers Fatuma Zarika, who successfully defended her World Boxing Council (WBC) World Super Bantamweight thrice - in 2017, 2018, and in 2019, as well as Conjestina “Hands of Stone” Achieng are among boxers who have treated local fans to electrifying action. Sold-out non-title bout between Kenya’s Daniel Wanyonyi and outspoken Tanzanian boxer Karim “Mtu Kazi” Mandonga which took place on January 14, 2023, at Kenyatta International Convention Centre also drew crowds, giving fans a glimpse of the potential in Kenyan boxing.
Former World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight champion Fatuma Zarika (left) is declared the winner against Halima Vunajebi of Tanzania in a super featherweight elimination fight on November 21, 2025 at at MassHouse, Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi.
Two promotions - pan African boxing promoter Kalakoda Promotion, and Kenyan-based Ultra-Fight Series (UFS) Promotion powered by SportPesa - are promising a major treat for local fans of boxing with monthly fights this year.
This year, UFS Boxing Promotions organised the inaugural Rising Stars boxing contests on January 29 at Jamhuri Park Showground.
On Friday, Kalakoda Promotion will stage its second monthly boxing extravaganza in which boxers will fight for two vacant East Africa Boxing Commission (EABC) titles at Masshouse Arena, Nairobi.
Kenyan duo of national heavyweight champion Morris “Hercules” Okola and Joshua Wasike will fight foreign opponents for the vacant EABC titles in a contest tonight in a contest dubbed “Nightmare II in Nairobi” at Masshouse Arena on Ngong Road in Nairobi. The bouts will start at 7:30 pm.
Okola, 43, will fight Tanzanian opponent Hudson Muhumuza, while Wasike takes on Jacob Maganga from Uganda.
Okola boasts a record of 13 wins made up of 10 kayos, five losses and no draw (13-5-0), while Muhumuza has 9-6-1 record.
“My focus is on my Commonwealth Boxing Council elimination fight scheduled for London in April, and I want to use my fight with Muhumuza to prepare,” Okola, who weighed in at 119.3kg, said on Thursday. Muhumuza weighed in at 118kg.
Okola, who has been preparing for the fight for the last two months under the watch of his brother, 2027 African Games heavyweight bronze medallist Daniel Shisia, said: “I previously lacked a good sparring partner, but Shisia has stepped in and served well. My speed has improved, as has my mental preparedness.
Yesterday, Wasike, 33, vowed to take down the experienced Jacob Maganga inside two rounds of their cruiserweight bout, and the Ugandan hit back, saying his vast experience will carry the day for him.
Wasike has a record of 6-1-0, while Maganga, 34, has a record of 16-19-6.
Elizabeth Andiego (right) of Kenya exchanges punches with Marie Joelle Mwaka of DRC in a light-heavyweight bout at Stade Des Martyrs Gymnasium in Kinshasa, DR Congo, during the 2024 African Boxing Championship.
Kenyan Olympian, Elizabeth Andiego, makes her debut in the professional ranks today against Tanzanian Christina Raura in a four-round non-title super middleweight bout.
Yesterday, Commonwealth Boxing Council president Reuben Ndolo said winners of tonight’s bouts will have an opportunity to take a shot at Commonwealth Boxing titles.
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