▪️Only eight African countries are taking part in the weeklong event which is a qualifier for the Youth Olympics in Dakar later in the year.

March 7, 2026

Kenya’s Phelix Ochieng and four Senegalese are among the 16 African boxers who will take to the ring on Day One of the World Futures U19 Boxing Tournament starting on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ochieng will battle it out with Kazakhstan’s Doszhan Zhuma Khan in the round of men’s lightweight division.

After the draw, Kenya’s Africa Youth Games bronze medallist Sonia Atieno received a bye to the quarter-finals, and will meet Morocco’s Aya Essoubai on March 13.

Ellah Demesi opens her account on March 10 against Canada’s Mehreen Khakh in the round of 32 women’s flyweight class while bantamweight Brian Arianda battles winner of the round of 64 bout between Turkey’s Muhammet Ali and Venezuela’s Wilmerson Gonzalez on March 11.

Available information in the drawsheets – yet to be confirmed by the organisers – shows only eight African countries have entered the Bangkok tournament.

They are Senegal, Kenya, Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Libya.

The 16 African boxers in action on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Bangkok is four hours ahead of East African time.

Round of 64 51 kg female
Senegal’s Aminata Sy vs Vietnam’s Thi Thuy Nhi Le

Round of 32 54kg female
Algeria’s Seya El Naev vs Australia’s Belle Spicer

Round of 64 50kg men
Algeria’s Riadh Belhaidouache vs Romania’s Ionut Madalin

Round 32 54kg female
Senegal’s Khadija Boiro vs Germany’s Lorin Sayim

Morocco’s Manar Adnane vs Columbia’s Evelin Trejos

Round 64 50kg male
Morocco’s Mustapha Berhili vs Canada’s in
Memphis McIntosh

Round 64 60kg male
Senegal’s Pape Maguette Yode vs Morocco’s Youssef Hlaila

Egypt’s Adham El Sharkawy vs Armenia’s Karen Zhakaryan

Algeria’s Abderraouf Redouani vs Thailand’s Siwa Chinarong

Round 64 men 70kg
Senegal’s Saliou Diop vs Thailand’s Ananda Kingphanao

Round 64 men 60kg
Kenya’s Phelix Ochieng vs Kazakhstan’s Doszhan Zhuma Khan

Equatorial Guinea’s Misael Andeke vs Turkeys Alparslan Civelek

Libya’s Tarik Abu Zead vs Canada’s Jayden Willis

Round 64 men 70kg
Morocco’s Marouane Jaafri vs Mexico’s Jorge Nieblas
Libya’s Jihad Mohammed vs Indonesia’s Victor Wenkang

▪️The West Africans will be represented by 15 boxers in Bangkok, the largest team from Africa

▪️The million dollar question: Is exposure alone a key factor in a boxer’s success at the big stage or natural ability provided the boxer is mentally and physically prepared to face the best in the world?

March 7, 2026

As hosts of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal’s U19 boxing team faces a significant challenge at the World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok (March 8–15, 2026), a key qualifying event.

Despite home-soil expectations and emerging local talent, the team must overcome tough international competition and limited elite experience compared to global opponents in Bangkok.

Senegal, represented by 15 boxers – seven women and eight men – in Bangkok, must rise up to the challenge and have at least seven boxers in Dakar.

Coaches are scratching their heads on various possibilities: what if none of the boxers qualifies, or only one or two makes it to the Youth Olympics? To their avid fans back home that’s an unacceptable but it can happen.

The Futures Cup is a critical pathway for the U19 team to secure slots for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

African boxers often face difficulties due to a lack of international exposure compared to opponents who may have significantly higher fight records.

As the host nation, Senegal’s team faces pressure to deliver strong performances.

Their success in Bangkok is crucial for building momentum for the first Olympic event on the African continent.

That said, one million dollar question remains: is exposure alone a key factor in the success of a boxer?

Ring analysts argue while exposure and modern facilities are crucial to condition a boxer to excel at the international level, a boxer’s ring IQ and natural potential is key to his/her success provided he or is mentally and physically prepared for the big stage.

We have seen some boxers exposed to all major competitions but still fail to make an impression, and others succeed with no exposure at all.

For instance, Uganda’s most decorated boxer Ayub Kayule and his Kenyan neighbours Steve Muchoki, Ibrahim Bilali and George Oduori did wonders with no exposure and modern facilities.

Kalule made his international debut in the 1973 African Games in Lagos and won a bronze medal. At the same Games, unknown George Oduori from Kariobangi’s Bangladesh Boxing Club win featherweight gold shocking the more experienced Nigerian Eddie Ndukwu in the finals. Yet Oduori trained in a gym with only one punch bag and sparring on the floor not in a ring.

Kalule, without any meaningful exposure and training in a gym with just a punch bag and skipping rope, he defied all odds to win the 1974 world title in Havana, Cuba, and Commonwealth Games gold in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Muchoki represented Kenya for the first time in November, 1973. The following year in January he captured light-flyweight gold in the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand upsetting 1970 Commonwealth Games champion James Odwori of Uganda in the finals.

Bilali debuted for Kenya in 1981, and without any form of exposure the following year he won King’s Cup and Commonwealth gold medals. Both Muchoki and Bilali are products of the famous Dallas Boxing Club in Muthurwa Estate. Like Oduori, they just had a punch bag in their gym and sparring was on the floor.

boxersworld.co.ke

▪️The four boxers from the East African boxing giant have said they’ll emulate the legends who made Kenya proud during the famous King’s Cup held annually in Bangok
▪️”I’ve told Sonia to bring back a gold medal if not she’ll not enter Kisumu,” says Ashley Akinyi, Sonia’s big sister.

March 7, 2026

Kenya’s team of four boxers has landed in Bangkok for World Futures U19 Boxing Tournament promising to carry the fight to their opponents.

“Hatucheki na mtu tuko hapa kwa vita, watajua hawajui (We’re here for war it’s not comedy they’ll know who we are),” said a confident captain Sonia Atieno immediately on arrival in Bangok . Sonia will fight in 65kg category.

“We will be very aggressive in the ring and hit them hard,” the 16-year-old Grade 10 student at Lions High School in Kisumu told boxersworld.co.ke

Sonia, the third born in a family of four, stays in Nyalenda Estate with her mum Pauline Auma, big sister Ashley Akinyi, and brothers Shakes Ouma and Robert Bruce Ofena.

Ashley, the first born, has given Sonia tough conditions.

“If you don’t bring gold don’t come back to Kisumu stay there, fight as if your entire life depends on this competition,” Ashley told her sister before departure to Bangkok, Thailand, for the World Futures U19 Cup tournament starting on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

Sonia won a bronze medal at lightweight in her international debut during the 2025 Africa Youth Games in Angola. She was to represent Kenya at the inaugural African School Games in Algeria but she had no opponent.

Sonia is now the darling of Nyalenda Estate residents, a predominantly informal, densely populated settlement on the southern outskirts of Kisumu City, established near the Kenya-Uganda railway.
It’s a low-income residential hub facing challenges with drainage, flood management, drug abuse among the youth, early pregnancies and waste disposal.

Boxing has helped to keep Sonia away from the challenges facing the youth in Nyalenda slums.

“Some of my friends regret why they didn’t join me in boxing, they engaged in anti-social behaviour and wasted themselves,” said Sonia, a member of Korumba Delta Boxing Club led by chairman Simon Wasuna who has witnessed a big interest in boxing among the youth in Nyalenda following Sonia’s exploits in the ring.

“Young boys and girls are now taking up boxing to emulate Sonia Atieno,” said Wasuna.

At only 16 years of age, Sonia is also one of the family’s bread winners assisting her single mum Pauline with the allowance she earns in foreign trips.

“Life is so hard in Nyalenda, I’m happy my daughter Sonia assists me with whatever she earns in boxing,” said Pauline, affectionately known as Mama Champ in Nyalenda.

“We’re praying to God she performs well in Bangkok we believe in her she’s a very good boxer.”

In addition to Sonia, other members of Kenya’s team are flyweight Ellah Demesi, bantamweight Brian Arianda and lightweight Phelix Ochieng.

Head coach Musa Benjamin once again thanked the Kenya government for funding their trip to Bangkok.

“The Sports Ministry has been very supportive to BFK, we’re happy through them Kenya is participating in this important tournament,” said Musa.

The Bangkok event is a qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Dakar, Senegal from October 31-November 13, 2026. It’s the first ever Olympics to be staged in Africa.

The 39-year-old hopes to use the bout to secure a path to the Commonwealth belt

07/03/2026

Okwiri, who has a 12-1-1 record, will seek to extend his recent run of six bouts without defeat, when he steps into the ring against the 26-year-old Shoti, whose record stands at 9-1-0.

There was expectation that Okwiri, following his third-round dismantling over Uganda’s Muhamad Sebyala last November, was going to catapult himself into a potential Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC) title fight against George Liddard, only for the Englishman to settle for a defense against former European champion Tyler Denny at the Copper Box in London later this month.

It is therefore thought that a go at the WBC Africa belt will present a decent opportunity to cracking the code later this year, with the latest opportunity poised to usurp the appeal of a WBC silver pathway, which was also in the cards for Okwiri to explore.

Shoti, who made his pro debut in 2023, last fought in November last year to claim the vacant IBO International middleweight title against Daniel Buciuc in Romania.

Also on the yet-to-be-announced six-bout card, will be appearances from Kenyans Martin Achebi, Morris ‘Maketho’ Okolla, and Dennis Okoth.

Achebi and East and Central African heavyweight champion Okolla recently featured in Kalakoda Promotions’ “Nightmare in Nairobi II” card late last month, all claiming comfortable wins over Alan Kwendo and Hudson Muhumuza respectively.

Courtesy www.mozzartsport.co.ke

Lausanne, 6th March, 2026:

The International Boxing Association (IBA) has confirmed that the IBA Asia U23 and Youth Championships, scheduled to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, will be postponed due to the current and evolving situation in the Middle East.

Following careful assessment of the prevailing circumstances, the IBA has taken this decision in order to prioritise the safety, security, and well‑being of athletes, officials, and member federations. Athlete welfare and participant safety remain the organisation’s absolute and non‑negotiable priority.

While preparations for the championships in Jakarta had been progressing positively in close cooperation with the local organisers and IBA Asia, the IBA considers it essential to act responsibly in light of the broader regional uncertainty. Ensuring safe travel, accommodation, and competition conditions for all participants is a fundamental obligation of the organisation.

“The safety of our athletes and member federations is our absolute priority,” said Chris Roberts OBE, IBA Secretary General & CEO. “In light of the current situation in the Middle East, we have taken the decision to postpone the IBA Asia U23 and Youth Championships in Jakarta. We will continue to closely monitor developments and will identify a suitable future date once conditions allow.”

The IBA remains in close contact with IBA Asia, the local organising committee, and relevant stakeholders, and will continue to assess the situation as it evolves. Options for rescheduling the championships will be explored in the coming weeks, subject to stability and safety considerations.

All member federations, athletes, and stakeholders will be kept fully informed, with further updates regarding revised dates and logistical arrangements to be communicated in a timely and transparent manner.

About the International Boxing Association (IBA)

The International Boxing Association (IBA) is the world governing body for boxing, committed to the global development of the sport while upholding the highest standards of safety, integrity, fairness, and good governance. IBA organises international competitions, supports national federations, and works to protect and empower athletes at all levels of boxing.

Courtesy of iba.com

March 6th, 2026

The International Boxing Association (IBA) congratulates IBA Vice President Mr Abdulmutalim Abakarov on the occasion of his birthday.

A respected leader in the boxing world, Mr. Abakarov has dedicated many years to the development of the sport as a boxer, coach, and sports administrator. Mr Abakarov trained a number of talented athletes who achieved success at the international level and now he continues his contribution to the sport through his important role in IBA.

Since becoming IBA Vice President in December 2022, Mr. Abakarov has continued to invest in the growth of international boxing and the strengthening of the global boxing community.

The entire IBA Family wishes Mr. Abakarov good health, continued success, and many new achievements in the year ahead.

courtesy iba.com

▪️“Cape Verde has demonstrated how determination and structured support can elevate a nation onto the global stage,” said IBA Secretary-General & CEO Chris Roberts OBE. “Our role is to ensure that talent, wherever it emerges, has a clear pathway to the highest level.”

March 6th, 2026

PRAIA, CAPE VERDE: The International Boxing Association (IBA) has reinforced its long-term commitment to Africa after concluding a high-level official delegation visit to Praia, marking a significant step in the federation’s global development strategy.

The delegation was led by IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE and Director of International Relations Alisa Shcherbachenya. The visit combined diplomatic engagement, strategic planning, and grassroots development initiatives aimed at strengthening boxing infrastructure in the region.

A key moment of the visit was an official meeting with the Minister of Sport, Carlos do Canto Monteiro. Discussions focused on long-term cooperation, infrastructure enhancement, and the potential for Cape Verde to host a future IBA Africa Championship. IBA President Umar Kremlev joined the session remotely, reiterating the federation’s readiness to support Cape Verde in organizing major international competitions: a move that would position the country as a regional boxing hub in Africa.

Celebrating Sporting Breakthroughs

The visit comes at a historic moment for Cape Verdean boxing, following the breakthrough achievements of David de Pina, who secured the nation’s first-ever Olympic medal in Paris, and continued international success from leading athlete Nancy Moreira. IBA representatives emphasized that such milestones reflect not only individual excellence but the growing competitive strength of African boxing programs.

“Cape Verde has demonstrated how determination and structured support can elevate a nation onto the global stage,” said Chris Roberts OBE. “Our role is to ensure that talent, wherever it emerges, has a clear pathway to the highest level.”

Investing in Grassroots and Youth Development

Beyond high-level meetings, the delegation visited local training facilities and youth boxing programs, engaging directly with coaches and young athletes. The IBA assessed infrastructure needs and explored opportunities for equipment support and technical development programs.

The visit aligns with the federation’s broader mission of democratizing access to elite competition and reinforcing its athlete-centered approach, ensuring boxers from emerging nations have equal opportunities to compete on the world stage.

 A Strategic Signal for Africa

The Cape Verde mission signals a broader strategic expansion of IBA activities across Africa, focusing on event hosting, youth development, and sustainable federation partnerships. As the organization advances its global calendar, Cape Verde stands out as a rising force and a symbol of Africa’s growing influence in international boxing.

courtesy iba.com

▪️The Ireland federation is engaging World Boxing to explore alternative routes of qualifying for the Youth Olympics 

Boxing Ireland regrets to confirm that Team Ireland has been withdrawn from World U19 Futures Championship in Thailand due to the unforeseen closure of Qatari airspace, which has significantly disrupted travel routes to the host destination.

Our team of 8 athletes, 3 coaches and Team Manager were due to depart for Bangkok, via Doha, on Tuesday.

Boxing Ireland has been in constant contact with travel partners and World Boxing since Saturday morning, attempting to identify alternative routes of travel. Given the size of the team, their requirements for acclimatization on arrival and the competition schedule, it is clear travel arrangements cannot be secured in a safe, timely, and reliable manner.

The wellbeing of our athletes, and the team’s leadership, is our absolute priority and this decision has not been taken lightly. We recognise the immense commitment and sacrifice made by our young athletes and their families in preparation for these championships. To have this opportunity impacted by circumstances beyond our control is profoundly disappointing for all involved.

Boxing Ireland is engaging with World Boxing to explore alternative qualifying routes for the Youth Olympic Games, to be held in Senegal this Autumn.

All of the team have been invited to participate in the 2026 National BG4, J1 and J2 Championships by the Officer Board of Central Council in recognition of the fact they cannot compete at the World U19 Futures Championships for reasons beyond their control. In the absence of preparation for this championship, all members of this team would have been in a position to contest their provincial championships.

▪️ The three boxers to represent the Central African country in the U19 Futures Cup in Bangkok will all be making their debut in their country’s colours in this high stakes event to be used as a qualifier for the Youth Olympics scheduled for Senegal’s capital city Dakar later this year

March 6, 2026

Despite the daunting odds facing the three newcomers, Equatorial Guinea’s pioneering U19 boxers are bringing grit, passion, and immense pride to the 2026 World Boxing (WB) Futures Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 8-15.

The three boxers, Juan Carlos Kwasi, 48 kg, Elías tisbita 55kg Misael Andeke 60kg are hoping to turn a tough challenge into a historic opportunity to shine on the world stage.

It’s indeed a steep learning curve for the Equatorial Guinea boxers against their more exposed opponents from Europe, Asia and the Americas.

With only 120 slots available for 60 male and 60 female boxers in five weight categories, this is a difficult, high-level pathway to the 2026 Youth Olympic Games for the African countries whose boxers lack constant exposure.

The Equatorial Guinea President Maria Obono Edu Andeme is however convinced her boxers are up to the task especially with the thorough training they’ve had at home and in Bangkok.

“Our team​ has been going through specialized training sessions scheduled before the start of the official competition since their arrival in Bangkok on March 4,” Maria Obono told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview.

“The delegation consists of three promising young athletes, two 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old, representing the new generation of national talent.

“​Prior to departure, the team underwent intensive training to prepare for the technical demands of this global stage. The selection was based on their performance in the National Junior Championship, ensuring that the athletes met the strict age and skill requirements for this historic debut.”

The three players in Bangkok are accompanied by experienced coach El Mostapha Choumdras. One of them, bantamweight Elias Tisbita, is a two-time national junior champion.

▪️Four Kenyan boxers are among Africa’s Emerging Stars who will trade leather against the world’s best in the inaugural World Boxing (WB) U19 Futures Cup in Bangkok, a pathway to Youth Olympics in Dakar

March 5, 2026

African Youth Games bronze medallist Sonia Atieno, Ellah Demesi, Phelix Ochieng and newcomer Brian Arianda are the four boxers carrying the hopes of over 50 million Kenyans in this Youth Olympics qualifying boxing event in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 8-15.

The four confident boxers leave Nairobi on Friday, March 6, accompanied by Kenya’s national team head coach Musa Benjamin, his deputy David Munuhe and John Waweru.

They are viewed as a fresh generation of talent set to gain valuable experience and compete for spots in the 2026 Youth Olympics scheduled for Dakar, Senegal, from October 31- November 13.

Captain Atieno was bubbling with confidence when I spoke to her during their final workout at the Mathare Police Depot Gym in Nairobi on Wednesday, March 4.

“This time unlike in Angola I’ll fight in 65 kg, no cutting down weight, I’ll be very strong,” the 16-year-old Grade 10 student at Lions High School in Kisumu told boxersworld.co.ke

“I’m aiming for gold or silver, most important I want to qualify for Youth Olympics,” said the pride of Nyalenda slums in Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city.

Atieno won a bronze medal in the 2025 African Youth Games in Angola, losing in the semi-finals to Tunisia’s Alma Zaara.

“I had to deny myself food to reduce weight to make it in the lightweight division, I was so weak,” said Atieno.

“I learnt a lot in the tournament, the allowance we were paid made our Christmas so enjoyable and also used part of it to pay for my school fees.”

Atieno’s sentiments are echoed by 16-year-old Ellah Demesi, a Grade 10 student at Shadrack Kimalel Secondary School.

“My allowance in Angola came in handy for Christmas shopping, we had a wonderful time, and this has inspired me to work harder in boxing, I gave all the money to my parents and they shared part of it to me for my personal needs. I’ll do the same from my Bangkok allowance.”

On the competition ahead, Ellah said: “I have high hopes of doing better than in Angola, I’m in top shape I’ve been training daily at my Kibra Youth Boxing Club.”

At the African Youth Games in Angola, Ellah lost to Tunisia’s Oueslatim Tashmin in the flyweight class while Phelix Ochieng was outpointed by DR Congo’s Mambu Mambone at featherweight.

“The experience I gained in Angola will help me perform better in Bangkok,” said Ochieng, a Grade 10 student at Raila Educational Centre in Kibra.

Newcomer Brian Arianda is thinking big ahead of the Futures Cup in Bangkok.

“I’m very happy to represent Kenya for the first time to test my boxing skills against opponents from outside my country,” said 16-year-old Arianda who is aiming to turn professional in the near future..

He started boxing in 2020, training at home in Onyonka Estate under coach Fred Obunga. Two years later he moved Mukuru Fight-4-Life Boxing Club where his boxing education was further sharpened by coach Benson Gicharu, a former international. Arianda is currently a member of Rongai Boxing Club.

Like his other compatriots, Arianda declined attending a boarding school in order to have more time in boxing. He is now doing online studies at Caplora Stem International.

“I’m comfortable doing my studies online, it gives me more time to engage in boxing, I’m aiming to become a pro boxer,” Arianda told boxersworld.co.ke.

Outside boxing, Arianda is intending to venture into aviation business.

“Currently I’m into poultry business at my rural home in Siaya, I have 50 ‘kienyeji’ chicken my grandmum takes care of the business,” said the ambitious Arianda.

Bangkok is buzzing with activity as the Kenyan youth aim to replicate the legends who shook the world in the 80s in the famous King’s Cup Championships. The Bangkok tournament serves as a crucial stepping stone for young fighters aiming for Olympic glory and probably professional boxing success.

The competition promises to be a spectacle of skill, strength and determination with fans and coaches cheering on the next generation of boxing champions.

Head coach Musa Benjamin is grateful to the Kenya government for financing their trip to Bangkok.

Musa, who is also the treasurer of the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK), said BFK funded the training of the four boxers.

“It’s been a challenge training our team because during the day they’re all in school until in the evening is when we team up with them,” said Musa while accepting their preparations have been inadequate for a tournament of this magnitude but he’s optimistic of positive results.

Successful boxers will book tickets to the 2026 Youth Olympics Games to be staged in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026. It’s the first time an Olympic event is being held on African soil.

The Bangkok boxing tournament is the only qualification event for the Dakar Youth Olympic Games.

Female boxers will compete in 10 categories, 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg and +80kg. The official female Olympic Youth categories are 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg and 60kg.

The male boxers will also participate in 10 weight classes, 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg and +90kg. The official Youth Olympics categories for the men are the 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, and 70kg.

Boxers born between 2008 and 2009 age groups are eligible to participate in the Bangkok event but the eligibility for the Youth Olympic Games is for athletes who were born between November 14, 2008 to December 31, 2009.