Unconventional boxing is rapidly gaining popularity in Kenya despite the dangers participants face, raising concerns over safety for the sport in the country.
Professional boxing had experienced a lull, but has been on an upward trajectory for the last two years thanks to monthly promotions by Maurice Odera’s Ultra-Fight Series (UFS), Kalakoda Promotions in South Africa and other organisations.
However, comedian and media personality Oga Obinna (real name Steve Thompson Maghana) has taken boxing by storm, with the hype surrounding the participants, most of whom have not engaged in the sport before, reaching a fever pitch.
Obinna’s two boxing promotions, “Vurugu I” and “Vurugu II”, have been the talk of the town, receiving both positive and negative attention.
Obinna acquired sanctioning for the bouts through Solid Rock Promotions, which is licensed by the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC). Unlike other promotions, where the main bouts feature title bouts, the main cards of the “Vurugu” promotions did not feature professional boxers but popular influencers and celebrities instead.
While the UFS promotions, sponsored by betting firm Sportpesa and dubbed the ‘Rising Stars’ series, have not yet held any exhibition bouts in their five promotions this year, Kalakoda have managed to stage two.
The ‘Vurugu’ promotions have taken boxing marketing to a whole new level, attracting attention as far as State House, with President William Ruto promising Sh1 million to each of the two main card fighters.
Ruto also sponsored 2,000 fans at a cost of Sh4 million, including the reward for the two main card boxers.
The two protagonists, Majembe (Portifas Odipo) and Mbavu Destroyer (Ferdinand Omondi), put on a good show ahead of their contest on April 4 at Kasarani, Nairobi, with good hyping stunts and exchanges.
Majembe defeated Mbavu Destroyer after referee Wycliffe Marende stopped the bout in the third round of the scheduled ten rounds. Majembe drove away in a brand new Toyota Noah. ‘Vurugu I’ went well, with the boxers wearing headgear and taking other precautions, but it was ‘Vurugu II’ that raised eyebrows, with questions over the boxers’ safety.
Dancehall artiste Ali Yusuf popularly known as Arrow Bwoy. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
On June 20, Kenyan musician Arrow Bwoy was defeated by Ugandan businessman Shakib Cham Lutaaya via technical knock-out (TKO) in the second round of the eight-round bout at Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi.
This time, the boxers did not wear headgear, and the boxing rules were visibly weak. The match was handled by Julius Odhiambo.
Bwoy was hospitalised after the bout, having been hit repeatedly by Lutaaya, leaving him unable to continue. The Ugandan went home Sh1 million richer. The incident follows the death of Kisumu-based boxer Jacob Oyoko, who collapsed and died after losing his professional boxing debut to Julius ‘Faya’ Okuruchi in Mumias, Kakamega, on March 28. Oyoko hadn’t fought for several years.
The late Jacob Oyoko.
Photo credit: Pool
“Clearly, some rules were thrown out the window, which is unacceptable. Boxers in exhibition bouts must wear headgear,” said KPBC chairman Reuben Ndolo, vowing sweeping measures for future events.
In future, Ndolo said, all exhibition bouts would not exceed four rounds of two minutes each, as per the rules, and that all boxers must wear head protection gear.
“We must reinforce ring safety to avoid fatalities,” said Ndolo. He said KPBC has written to the Ministry of Sports and county governments to warn that any future promotions must adhere to boxing rules.
“If something were to happen in the ring, the responsibility would lie with us,” said Ndolo.
KPBC secretary general Frankline Imbenzi noted the UFS, Kalakoda and Vurugu had all been sanctioned, but said that Vurugu II had fallen short of the requirements.
“Neither boxer was wearing appropriate headgear and, owing to the charged atmosphere in the arena, we were unable to stop the bout,” said Imbenzi, adding that they will be stricter.
He said they will also engage with all promoters on the need for safety precautions, adding that, save for the issue of the headgear at ‘Vurugu II’, KPBC have been strict about boxers’ medical reports before bouts.
Evans Thiongo (right) of Metropolitan Nairobi and Jacob Oyoko (also inset) of Kisumu during a National Boxing League bantam weight bout in Mombasa in on April 6, 2012.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“All boxers featuring in the UFS, Kalakoda and Vurugu bouts underwent full medical examinations,” said Imbenzi, adding that it will now be mandatory for promoters to provide year-long medical cover for boxers in their promotions.
Boxing Federation of Kenya Secretary-General David Munuhe said: “Exhibition bouts are about making money, where rules are rarely enforced, and the consequences can be catastrophic.”
Munuhe said all of their exhibition bouts feature boxers who are experienced and familiar with the rules.
“It is common knowledge that jungle rules have been used in these bouts. We can’t allow that in the amateur game,” said Munuhe, noting that most exhibition matches are for junior boxers who wear headgear.
“The safety of our boxers is paramount, which is why our referees won’t hesitate to stop bouts if a boxer is overwhelmed,” said Munuhe.
