Naoya Inoue cemented his legacy with a unanimous decision win against fellow Japanese Junto Nakatani to retain his undisputed super-bantamweight status in Tokyo.
May 03, 2026
In what was billed as one of the biggest fights to take place on Japanese soil between two of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters, Inoue, 33, once again rose to the occasion.
Inoue, a four-division world champion and undisputed in two weight classes, dominated early and adjusted later in the bout as the previously undefeated Nakatani, 28, grew into the contest.
Nakatani, who has held world titles in three divisions, suffered a cut above his left eye from an accidental clash of heads in the 10th round just as he was riding a wave of momentum.
Two judges scored it 116-112 and the third 115-113 at Tokyo Dome.
“This victory is very valuable for me because he is also a big pound-for-pound fighter,” Inoue said.
“I will come back to Tokyo to fight for you again. Keep rooting for me.”
Victory extends Inoue’s perfect record to 33 victories, with 27 coming inside the distance.
Inoue’s younger brother Takuma set the tone earlier on the card with a comprehensive points victory against Kazuto Ioka to defend his WBC bantamweight title.
Takuma urged the 55,000-strong crowd to keep the support going for his older sibling, and Naoya was roared to the ring as pyrotechnics lit up the stage.
The arena fell silent as the first half of the fight played out in tentative fashion, with both showing each other ultimate respect.
Inoue was left trying to solve the puzzle of how to bridge the distance to a rangier Nakatani, but, in his 28th successive world title bout, he used his vast ring IQ to find angles to get in and out as he primarily attacked the body.
Down on the scorecards, Nakatani began to engage in the second half of the bout as retired five-weight world champion Terence Crawford watched from ringside.
Southpaw Nakatani had wrestled back some control but was halted in his tracks when blood began to impair vision in his left eye following a clash of heads.
Inoue seized the opportunity to put his foot down and attacked with combinations in the final two rounds to punctuate another memorable victory.
Could Rodriguez be next for Inoue?
After conquering the bantamweight division, Inoue moved up to super-bantamweight in July 2023 and became the undisputed champion later that year.
He has made seven successful defences of that status but has fast run out of serious challengers, leading to speculation that another divisional change could be on the cards.
Moving up to featherweight is an option, but the division lacks household names and a jump to super-featherweight is likely a step too far.
Dropping back down to the lower divisions appears to be the most likely route for Inoue, and preliminary talks are under way, external for a fight with pound-for-pound star Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
American Rodriguez, 26, makes his bantamweight debut when he fights for the WBA title against Antonio Vargas on 13 June.
Rodriguez has reigned as unified champion at flyweight and super-flyweight, and boasts an undefeated 23-fight record – 16 inside the distance.
Inoue, who has fought five times in the past 15 months, said: “I have been so busy and had so many intensive days, so please give me a rest.”
David Benavidez defeated Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez by sixth-round KO to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
May 03, 2026
Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) became a three-division champion and the first fighter to win world titles at super middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight. This was Benavidez’s first fight in the 200-pound division. He entered the fight following a dominant seventh-round TKO of Anthony Yarde in November.
Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs) was making the first defense of his unified championship. After going 5-1 at light heavyweight — with all five wins by stoppage — Ramirez had gone the distance in each of his four cruiserweight bouts before losing to Benavidez.
In the co-main event, Jaime Munguia (46-2, 35 KOs) dominated Jose Armando Resendiz (16-3, 11 KOs) to win the WBA super middleweight title by unanimous decision with scorecards of 117-111, 119-109 and 120-108.
In May 2013, Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin was at The Summit Gym in Big Bear Lake, California, making final preparations to defend his WBA middleweight title against Matthew Macklin. Golovkin was still on the rise with an impressive knockout and title defense streak while also being on the verge of being recognized as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Despite all of this, Golovkin’s trainer, Abel Sanchez, couldn’t help but go out of his way to gush over a 16-year-old sparring partner who had a granite chin, unbelievable hand speed and — as boxing trainers tend to say about highly valued sparring partners — was giving Golovkin and everyone in the gym “good work.”
Sanchez predicted back then that the teenager, who was barely old enough to drive but was standing toe to toe with grown men with established boxing pedigrees, would become a world champion.
That teenager was David Benavidez.
“He had a lot of gumption for a 16-year-old to want to spar with a seasoned pro,” Sanchez told ESPN. “I thought he had good skills and a bright future. He was developing the hand speed and combination punching back then and has matured into an exceptional fighter.”
Thirteen years later, Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) is a two-division world champion and ESPN’s No. 5 pound-for-pound fighter. From his willingness to face all comers to a style that produces fireworks, the traits that Sanchez spotted in the teenager are matured and refined.
Benavidez’s style has made him a fighter who doesn’t know the meaning of “cruising to victory.” Every moment of a Benavidez fight is a situation where he is trying to break his opponent by any means necessary. His mindset leads to riveting fights that, at least for him, are all gas, no brakes. That approach has earned him respect from his peers and fans alike, something he’s been looking for since he left his home as a teenager to pursue greatness.
A pivotal moment for Benavidez could still be ahead. If he defeats unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez on Saturday (PBC on Prime Video PPV, 8 p.m. ET), it would not only add a significant name to his résumé but also allow him to move beyond constant comparisons to perennial pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez, the long-discussed fight between them that never materialized and the the opportunity to take the baton from Canelo as the best Mexican fighter of his generation.
“I don’t just want to be the face of Mexican boxing or even boxing; I want to be that face of entertainment, period,” Benavidez told ESPN. “I want to be that fighter who you know you’re going to get in an action-packed fight no matter who he’s fighting against. Once you see me fight that one time, I guarantee you that you will never stop watching me.”
In a world where leveraging social media as a marketing tool, protecting undefeated records and manufacturing beef are the recipe for generating interest, Benavidez eschews the idea of selling himself, instead relying on a simple concept that he’s carried since his early years when he was learning how to jab.
“I just like beating people up.”
JOSE BENAVIDEZ SR. had a rough upbringing, from working in the fields of Sinaloa, Mexico, at age 11 to his teenage years in California filled with violence, drugs, guns and gangs. The chaos in his life led him to believe that he wouldn’t live long enough to grow grey in his beard. He felt haunted, so much so that when he and his Ecuadorian wife brought their two sons into the world after moving to Phoenix in the 1990s, the only thing he wanted was for them to have the ability to defend themselves.
“I wanted to show them everything that I could in case something happened to me and they needed to protect themselves,” Benavidez Sr. told ESPN. “I wanted to make warriors.”
David and his older brother, Jose Benavidez Jr., were thrown into every sport from baseball to distance running to test their physical ability, but it was boxing that stuck with both boys. Jose Jr. was a prodigy, fighting elementary school kids of his age in amateur boxing matches and later becoming the youngest ever Golden Gloves champion at 16. David came along later, with much less fanfare, but was noticeably gifted with remarkable hand speed. Benavidez Sr. boasts about David having his first boxing match at 2 years old, but it was his older brother who was the agent of chaos largely responsible for cultivating David’s aptitude for throwing hands.
“My dad didn’t know how we really were at school,” Jose Jr. told ESPN. “I used to make him fight because I wanted to fight. I’d always pick the kids who had older brothers around my age so if they jumped in, I would be there to fight them.”
When they weren’t boxing in the gym, David and Jose Jr. were sharpening their tools against any neighborhood kid who wanted to test them. Jose Jr. enjoyed starting fights and having David finish them. When you speak to them, you quickly realize Jose Jr. fought because he wanted to and David fought because he had to.
“My brother was a knucklehead who made me fight everybody in the neighborhood,” David said. “I was the calm guy. I didn’t like to fight people in the street but would if I had to. I always liked fighting, though. I was born into it and have spent my entire life trying to get better at it.”
David Benavidez defeated Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez by sixth-round KO to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) became a three-division champion and the first fighter to win world titles at super middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight. This was Benavidez’s first fight in the 200-pound division. He entered the fight following a dominant seventh-round TKO of Anthony Yarde in November.
Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs) was making the first defense of his unified championship. After going 5-1 at light heavyweight — with all five wins by stoppage — Ramirez had gone the distance in each of his four cruiserweight bouts before losing to Benavidez.
In the co-main event, Jaime Munguia (46-2, 35 KOs) dominated Jose Armando Resendiz (16-3, 11 KOs) to win the WBA super middleweight title by unanimous decision with scorecards of 117-111, 119-109 and 120-108.
Andreas Hale was in Las Vegas with full coverage, including undercard results and round-by-round analysis.
In May 2013, Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin was at The Summit Gym in Big Bear Lake, California, making final preparations to defend his WBA middleweight title against Matthew Macklin. Golovkin was still on the rise with an impressive knockout and title defense streak while also being on the verge of being recognized as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Despite all of this, Golovkin’s trainer, Abel Sanchez, couldn’t help but go out of his way to gush over a 16-year-old sparring partner who had a granite chin, unbelievable hand speed and — as boxing trainers tend to say about highly valued sparring partners — was giving Golovkin and everyone in the gym “good work.”
Sanchez predicted back then that the teenager, who was barely old enough to drive but was standing toe to toe with grown men with established boxing pedigrees, would become a world champion.
That teenager was David Benavidez.
“He had a lot of gumption for a 16-year-old to want to spar with a seasoned pro,” Sanchez told ESPN. “I thought he had good skills and a bright future. He was developing the hand speed and combination punching back then and has matured into an exceptional fighter.”
Thirteen years later, Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) is a two-division world champion and ESPN’s No. 5 pound-for-pound fighter. From his willingness to face all comers to a style that produces fireworks, the traits that Sanchez spotted in the teenager are matured and refined.
Benavidez’s style has made him a fighter who doesn’t know the meaning of “cruising to victory.” Every moment of a Benavidez fight is a situation where he is trying to break his opponent by any means necessary. His mindset leads to riveting fights that, at least for him, are all gas, no brakes. That approach has earned him respect from his peers and fans alike, something he’s been looking for since he left his home as a teenager to pursue greatness.
A pivotal moment for Benavidez could still be ahead. If he defeats unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez on Saturday (PBC on Prime Video PPV, 8 p.m. ET), it would not only add a significant name to his résumé but also allow him to move beyond constant comparisons to perennial pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez, the long-discussed fight between them that never materialized and the the opportunity to take the baton from Canelo as the best Mexican fighter of his generation.
“I don’t just want to be the face of Mexican boxing or even boxing; I want to be that face of entertainment, period,” Benavidez told ESPN. “I want to be that fighter who you know you’re going to get in an action-packed fight no matter who he’s fighting against. Once you see me fight that one time, I guarantee you that you will never stop watching me.”
In a world where leveraging social media as a marketing tool, protecting undefeated records and manufacturing beef are the recipe for generating interest, Benavidez eschews the idea of selling himself, instead relying on a simple concept that he’s carried since his early years when he was learning how to jab.
“I just like beating people up.”
JOSE BENAVIDEZ SR. had a rough upbringing, from working in the fields of Sinaloa, Mexico, at age 11 to his teenage years in California filled with violence, drugs, guns and gangs. The chaos in his life led him to believe that he wouldn’t live long enough to grow grey in his beard. He felt haunted, so much so that when he and his Ecuadorian wife brought their two sons into the world after moving to Phoenix in the 1990s, the only thing he wanted was for them to have the ability to defend themselves.
“I wanted to show them everything that I could in case something happened to me and they needed to protect themselves,” Benavidez Sr. told ESPN. “I wanted to make warriors.”
David and his older brother, Jose Benavidez Jr., were thrown into every sport from baseball to distance running to test their physical ability, but it was boxing that stuck with both boys. Jose Jr. was a prodigy, fighting elementary school kids of his age in amateur boxing matches and later becoming the youngest ever Golden Gloves champion at 16. David came along later, with much less fanfare, but was noticeably gifted with remarkable hand speed. Benavidez Sr. boasts about David having his first boxing match at 2 years old, but it was his older brother who was the agent of chaos largely responsible for cultivating David’s aptitude for throwing hands.
“My dad didn’t know how we really were at school,” Jose Jr. told ESPN. “I used to make him fight because I wanted to fight. I’d always pick the kids who had older brothers around my age so if they jumped in, I would be there to fight them.”
When they weren’t boxing in the gym, David and Jose Jr. were sharpening their tools against any neighborhood kid who wanted to test them. Jose Jr. enjoyed starting fights and having David finish them. When you speak to them, you quickly realize Jose Jr. fought because he wanted to and David fought because he had to.
“My brother was a knucklehead who made me fight everybody in the neighborhood,” David said. “I was the calm guy. I didn’t like to fight people in the street but would if I had to. I always liked fighting, though. I was born into it and have spent my entire life trying to get
Men’s boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Fury misses out, new name joins After Benavidez Sr. and his wife separated in 2000, Jose Jr. moved to California with his father, while David remained in Arizona with his mother, Alma, and younger sister, Isabel. Jose Jr. thrived in the amateurs while David went through a difficult stretch during which he wasn’t able to channel his natural ability into boxing. By age 13, his weight had climbed to around 250 pounds. Meanwhile, Jose Jr. built a 120-5 amateur record and turned pro in 2010. Jose Jr. remembers seeing his brother for the first time in two years when he visited him in Arizona shortly after Jose Jr.’s pro debut and being stunned by how out of shape he was. Junior refused to watch his brother eat his life away and hatched a plan to help David before it was too late.
“I wasn’t going to let him waste his ability,” Jose Jr. said. “I picked him up from my mother and took him to California with me. My mother called and asked where he was at because he had school. I told her, ‘I’m sorry to tell you, Ma, but David isn’t coming back anymore.’ She was mad and didn’t talk to me for a year because I kidnapped my brother, but I wasn’t going to allow him to waste his talent and took him with me to Wild Card Boxing Club.”
David dropped out of high school, and Jose Jr. and his father threw David to the wolves at Wild Card, the gym in Hollywood owned by renowned trainer Freddie Roach. Jose Jr. remembers everyone scoffing at his overweight brother but having a change of heart after stepping into the ring with him.
“He just started breaking motherf—ers apart,” Jose Jr. said. “I always knew what my brother had. I just had to bring it out of him.”
Rather than emulate his older brother’s amateur career, David opted to spend the next few years fighting off the extra weight. He plied his craft primarily as a sparring partner at gyms all over the country, standing across the ring from former champions such as Kelly Pavlik and Peter Quillin. That plan not only got him in shape but also molded his style into the exciting fighter who is always looking to hurt his opponent.
“I have never tried to outpoint somebody in a fight,” Benavidez said. “I was always sparring against older guys who had more experience, and most of them tried to run through me. There was no point system; it was either kill or be killed for me. It was a real fight whenever I stepped into the ring. No judges. I had to defend myself from not getting knocked out and would end up getting the best of those guys.”
The Benavidez brothers relocated back to Arizona in 2014 and burned through the opposition, with Jose Jr. being the first to win a title that same year by beating Mauricio Herrera for the interim WBA junior welterweight belt. David was working his way up, stopping his first seven opponents. Jose Jr.’s bank account grew while David was still making a name for himself.
Everything changed for the brothers in 2016 when Jose Jr. was shot in the leg while walking his dog in Phoenix. The incident shattered his knee and put his championship dreams on pause. Around the same time, the brothers lost two family members, with the death of his grandmother and his uncle being murdered. David chugged along, carrying the weight of both his and his brother’s aspirations.
“When I was a kid until I turned about 20 years old, I was angry at my dad because of that, because I didn’t have a childhood,” he said. “Now that I’m older, I see it and I talked to my dad and told him thank you very much for everything you did for me. … So many things happened to me and so many people I couldn’t be there for in their last moments because of boxing. We’ve sacrificed everything to boxing. It’s a difficult life, a difficult path, but this is what we wanted and we achieved it, and we’re still giving it our all because many things happened that helped us get there.”
The brothers relocated back to Los Angeles and David won the WBC super middleweight title in 2017 at age 20, making him the youngest champion in the division’s history. With success came money and Benavidez drifted into a stint of self-destructive partying that eventually led to him losing the title without a fight when he tested positive for cocaine in 2018 and was suspended.
Looking back, Benavidez said that he needed that to happen as early as it did so he could learn from his mistake, refocus and get back on track.
“I had to get that out of my system,” he said. “I’m way different now because I had my fun after going through a dark period and got off track at 20. If I didn’t live through that back then, imagine how I’d be now with 20 times the money I was making back then. Things could have gone way worse for me. I’m more mature now. I’ve grown up.”
SINCE BENAVIDEZ MADE his professional debut in August 2013, three months after that camp in Big Bear Lake, he has yet to lose a fight. “The Mexican Monster” has exceeded Sanchez’s lofty expectations as an undefeated two-division world champion who has torn through 31 straight opponents with a fan-friendly style predicated on relentless forward pressure, video game-like combination punching and an innate ability to shatter the will of his opponent.
Benavidez has become a fighter’s favorite fighter, the kind of boxer other fighters admire and fans can’t ignore.
“I love watching him fight,” former pound-for-pound king Roy Jones Jr., a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, told ESPN.
Jones knows what it means to create highlights. His career was one long viral moment pre-social media. Clips from Jones’ fights still make the rounds more than 20 years since he was in his prime.
“He doesn’t duck or dodge nobody,” Jones said. “A lot of fighters today hit you with a punch here and there and play it safe to win on points. Not Benavidez. He wants to hit you with five punches in a row, 10 if you let him. He’s fast with high volume and he’s punching all the time. People want to see fighters fight, and he comes forward and throws all kinds of combinations. Those combinations are both difficult and unique, and I love seeing it.
“He’s electric all the time, and that’s what is missing in boxing.”
YouTuber-turned-prize fighter Jake Paul told ESPN in the build to his fight with former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua that Benavidez was the only fighter he wouldn’t step into the ring with because “some people are just built different.” And that was rich considering that he was about to step into the ring with — and subsequently have his jaw broken by — a much, much larger man with an elite boxing pedigree.
“Benavidez is always my No. 1 [fighter to watch],” Paul told ESPN. “I think he’s just electric, bro. That guy is different. His power, his speed, his cardio, his nonstop punching. Whenever I watch a Benavidez fight, I know I’m going to see something spectacular.”
Benavidez’s career has been built on action, and that approach has earned him respect across the sport as one of the most entertaining fighters to watch.
“David Benavidez can fight his ass off,” Terence Crawford said.
“At first, I didn’t know he was one of them guys until I went to his fight and saw him close up. I’m definitely excited to be on a card with him,” Gervonta Davis said of sharing a fight card with him last year.
Asked who was the best he ever fought, former world champion Anthony Direll said, “Benavidez, for sure.”
Benavidez is already recognized as one of the best in the world, while also being must-see TV, a rare combination necessary to break through into the mainstream.
Benavidez routinely uses the word “respect.” For his entire life, he has fought to prove that he’s the better man. At no point in a fight did Benavidez want anyone to think that his opponents were getting the better of him.
From the kid on the playgrounds of Arizona to the teenager sparring in sweaty boxing gyms to the adult in world title fights where three judges can determine the outcome, Benavidez has always wanted to leave no doubt who is better.
That means challenging himself against the best opponents possible, even when those plans don’t pan out, such as fighting Canelo.
▪️Boxing Federation of Kenya is walking tall successfully managing this bruising league that has produced world class boxers who have rocked the boxing scene with their illustrious performances
Forty-five years of thunder comes to a head in Nakuru, the cradle of this two-fisted combat sport in Kenya.
The air is thick with anticipation as the first leg of the 45th season of the Kenya National Boxing League takes place in Nakuru from May 14-16, marking a historic milestone for Africa’s oldest league which was introduced in 1981.
Boxing Federation of Kenya is celebrating this massive achievement, probably with a GIANT CAKE during the finals to paint Nakuru red. For now the national boxing body is playing their cards close to the chest.
National champions KDF and league title holders Police Chafua Chafua renew their intense bitter rivalry. Police are still licking their wounds after being upstaged by KDF in the national championships at Kaloleni Social Hall. They’re not taking it lightly.
Punches will as usual explode on any open target with the lightweight battle featuring national champion Emmanuel Omole of Police, Kasarani Youth national runners-up Ben Juma and KDF’s Washington Wandera promising to light up the Home of Champions to rekindle the spirit of Kenya’s legendary Olympics silver and bronze medallist the late Philip Waruinge, a product Nakuru’s famous Madison Square Garden.
Photo collage of Chief Inspector Patrick "Mont" Waweru during his hey days in the ring and in GSU's maroon beret.
▪️Waweru recalls the night the lights went out when a Danish opponent he had defeated severally knocked him out cold with a temple punch that was a masterclass in pain
May 1, 2026
A devastating right punch lands flush on Patrick “Mont” Waweru’s temple in one the several matches he fought during trips by Kenyan boxers to the Scandinavian countries in the 1970s and 1980s.
The canvas warmly welcomes a dazed Waweru. Lights have gone out. Waweru is helped back to his corner by coach Charles Anjimbi, he isn’t just defeated; he has been schooled.
The temple punch from Waweru’s Danish opponent is a masterclass in pain- a hard lesson that exposed a fatal flaw in his approach.
Yet this was an opponent Waweru had defeated severally in the Scandinavian tour, and he accepts on that night he must have been careless in the ring.
“Since I had beaten him I think like three times, I knew he wasn’t a threat to me. I relaxed only to be hit hard on the temple,” Waweru told boxersworld.co.ke at his residence in Kahawa West on the outskirts of the Central Business District of Kenya’s capital city Nairobi.
“Unlike other boxers who take long to regain consciousness after being KO’d, I was okay walking back to the dressing room but I could still feel the pain of that temple punch,” recalls Waweru.
The knockout was brutal, sending the Kenyan back to the drawing board. That sharp blinding pain on the temple – a soft spot that can paralyse a fighter – was indeed the turning point that made Waweru build a strong wall around his head.
On returning home, Waweru realized his power and speed would not save him especially against tactful European opponents some of whom possesed massive punching power.
“I decided to change my approach, and told myself no punch would land there again,” said Waweru.
Waweru developed a watertight guard that turned out to be his signature in the sport. He began fighting with guard high up, glued to his temples and forehead, creating an unbreakable shield.
This structural change to his game allowed him to absorb punishment while moving forward, eventually turning him into one of Kenya’s most successful, disciplined and durable fighters representing the national team for 12 years from 1976 to 1988.
“Before the KO defeat in Denmark I didn’t bother much about guard, once in the ring I just attacked frequently and relied on my footwork,” said Waweru who was unaware of the temple punch.
“I knew nothing about the temple punch but that night in Denmark is when I was told about it and its effectiveness.”
To the uninitiated, the temple is a high-risk boxing target located on the side of the head, just above and slightly behind the ear, known for its ability to cause immediate knockouts or severe disorientation. Due to its thin skull structure and underlying arterial system, it is considered one of the most vulnerable areas for inducing maximum trauma and interrupting an opponent’s balance.
It’s a strategic target in boxing due to its physiological impact and its role in disrupting an opponent’s equilibrium.
While the chin is often the primary focus for generating a knockout, the temple is a secondary high-percentage target for causing disorientation. A precise strike to the side of the head can affect the inner ear and vestibular system, leading to a sudden loss of balance and coordination. The bone structure at the temple is thinner compared to the front or back of the skull, making the impact more effective.
Punches to the temple, such as hooks travel fast around an opponent’s frontal guard, making them difficult to see and defend against. Lead or rear hook are the most common punches used to target the temple as the looping trajectory allows the glove to land flush on the side of the head.
An overhand right or left can be effective for landing on the temple, particularly when an opponent is leaning forward or using a high, tight guard.
Regular strikes to this area carry significant risks of concussions or long-term neurological damage resulting in a permanent injury.
Away from the temple punch, the Scandinavian tours in the 1970s and 1980s took the Kenyan boxers to Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland and at times they would even cross over to Germany. But Denmark was a regular destination for Kenyans some of whom competed in semi-professional contests organized by the late Danish promoter Borge Andersen, the chief organiser of the Scandinavian trips.
These tours were pivotal for Kenyan fighters to gain exposure, experience, and sometimes professional income. Many boxers, including legends like Steve Muchoki and his brother Mike “Stone” Irungu transitioned to the professional scene in Denmark under promoter Mogens Palle. Among other beneficiaries of the Scandinavian and Nordic trips include Kenneth “Valdez Ochieng, Sullu Okello now a permanent resident in Norway where he’s working, Kamau Wanyoike, Napunyi Oduori, Isaiah Ikhoni, Billy Kiremi, Nasser “Silencer” Athumani, Mohammed Abdullah Kent, Hussein “Juba” Khalili and Caleb Kuya to mention but a few.
“The Scandinavian tours were very beneficial to us, they hardened boxers, opening opportunities and giving us more confidence against
European boxers as well as enabling us learn a lot of boxing tricks, they opened our eyes,” said Waweru in our interview.
“I wish the tours can be revived, the main problem now is that the main man, Borge Anderson, has passed on.” In addition to Kenya’s national team’s annual visit to the Nordic countries, Kenyan clubs notably Breweries and Prisons also toured the Scandinavian countries .
Patrick Waweru sitted front row far left with the 1980 Kenya’s Golden Cup team. Next to Waweru is light-flyweight John “Poison” Kamau and featherweight Napunyi “Tottoh” Oduori. Middle row from right is light-welterweight Ali “Ojukwu” Athumani, bantamweight Isaiah “Danicho” Ikhoni and middleweight Charles “Dixie Kidi” Oduori. Back row standing from left is super-heavyweight Mohammed Abdullah Kent, welterweight Kamau “Pipino” Wanyoike, light-heavyweight Wandera Okwaro, heavyweight James “Demosh” Omondi and light-middleweight Tabu Lumumba.
Here’s more info on Scandinavian and Nordic countries:
What countries make up Scandinavia?
Scandinavia refers specifically to a region in Northern Europe that includes three countries: Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
What countries make up the Nordic region?
The Nordic region comprises a broader group of countries located in Northern Europe. The region includes five countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. All these nations share historical, cultural and political ties as well as the iconic Nordic cross on their flags.
John Waweru aka Mr Rulebook attributes his success in boxing to his uncle and mentor Patrick Waweru
Back to Waweru. He was born in June 9, 1956, and started boxing in the 1960s while still in primary school at Starehe Boys Centre under the tutelage of coach Jimmy Zablon, a former Kenyan international in the 1950s and early 1960s. At Starehe, Waweru was later to be joined by a former pro boxing promoter Michael Kanyango, a swift light-flyweight during his hey days at Starehe Boys Centre.
“We mostly fought YMCA at their hall in Shauri Moyo, these days I don’t know whether boxing happens at YMCA Hall,” wondered Waweru.
Enter Michael Kanyango. He takes us back to the 60s when he was a schoolmate of Waweru at Starehe Boys Centre.
“I first met Waweru at Starehe Boys’ Centre when I joined in 1968. At that time, he was still in Starehe Primary School. Back then, Jimmy Zablon, who was the lightweight champion of Kenya in the 1950s to early 60s, was the acting games master at the school.
“It was during that period that I got used to going to the field to watch boxing training. I was greatly impressed by how Waweru and another boxer, Mathenge Hunja, sparred. By the end of 1968, I joined the boxing team myself.
“From then on, I trained alongside Waweru, Hunja, former international Peter Munyogi, his brother Nivan Ngatia, and a very talented featherweight and lightweight boxer named Francis Peter Kinuthia.
“We continued competing as the Starehe boxing team in different boxing tournaments around Nairobi. At the time, Waweru and Mathenge fought in the paperweight division, I was a light- flyweight, Munyogi in flyweight, his brother Nivan Ngatia in bantamweight alongside Ngige Wanjiku, while Kinuthia fought at featherweight, Mbiru Wilson lightweight, and Peter Magina in middleweight. That was the complete Starehe Boys Centre boxing team then.
“Many times when we had matches against YMCA, Waweru was matched against James Njoroge. But on the day of the contest, Njoroge would refuse to fight Mont. He used to say Waweru was too tough and far too sharp for him.
“Throughout all the competitions until I reached Form Four and stopped boxing, I never saw Waweru lose a single fight while at Starehe. Then, in 1970/71, through his boxing potential he became one of the Starehe boys who got the opportunity to join the General Service Unit boxing team. The late Patrick David Shaw, the famous crime buster, is the one who made it possible for Waweru to join GSU.
“From there, Waweru continued training with the police boxing team until he was officially employed by GSU in 1973. Waweru made headlines when he scored an upset points victory over Peter Manene of the Prisons team in 1972. Manene was the national flyweight champion and a reputable international boxer from Nakuru but by then he had joined Prisons. Waweru moved up to bantamweight and then featherweight. made his intentions known with another upset victory over seasoned Prisons international Kamau Mbugua.
“I can confidently say that Waweru reached that level and held the position of Kenya’s national boxing team captain because of his hard work, discipline, and the strong foundation he received at Starehe Boys’ Centre. The most significant asset he had was speed and good footwork always on the move.”
As Kanyago said, on completion of his secondary education at Starehe Boys, Waweru’s boxing skills earned him a job with the General Service Unit (GSU), a highly trained paramilitary wing of the National Police Service of Kenya designed to handle special operations, civil disorders, and high-risk security emergencies.
Known as the “Maroon Berets,” they operate under the Kenya Police Service, focusing on internal security, VIP protection, and rapid response to armed threats. He underwent training at Embakasi.
“Among the boxers I met there were Peter Dula, Alex Gathumbi, Peter Kangethe and George Findo,” Waweru told boxersworld.co.ke.
“We were training at Embakasi and at times Dallas Muthurwa, it was not easy especially sparring with tough boxers such as Findo, he would hit the stomach hard. Findo was the best boxer on body punches, that hardened me more.”
Michael Kanyago donning his treasured Starehe Boys Centre uniform. He was in the Starehe boxing team in late 1960s to early 1970s with Patrick Waweru.
Waweru maintained his ascendancy, showing his class in the 1975 Inter-Services Championships in which he won the lightweight title. The following year he joined the national team,
making his debut in the 1976 East and Central Africa Boxing Championships that attracted Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. The latter brought five boxers.
He was paired against Ethiopia’s Lemma Yemane in the semi-finals. Waweru dominated the Ethiopian, flooring him twice but double cuts on his eyebrows forced the referee to stop the fight in the third round for Waweru to win a bronze, his first medal in boxing.
“I was excited to have won a medal for the first time in boxing, I had just been seeing boxers hanging medals round their necks.”
The regional tournament ushered him into the world of big-time boxing. He eventually made a successful breakthrough at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada, where he won a silver medal after losing in the finals to Northern Ireland’s Gerald Hamill.
Waweru’s next stop was in Libya for the 1979 Africa Elite Championships. He was unlucky losing to a Nigerian who knocked out Waweru, the second KO defeat after the one in Denmark.
What inspired Waweru is the impressive performance of his teammates who enabled Kenya win the continental tournament for the first time with four gold medals, two silver and one bronze by bantamweight Napunyi Oduori.
The gold medals came from flyweight Sande Odanda, featherweight George Findo, light-welterweight Ali Athumani and light-middleweight Athman Abdulrahman while light-flyweight David Wacheru and welterweight Philip Mathenge settled for silvers.
For Waweru, the sting of defeat in Libya didn’t turn him to despair; it turned to a cold calculation, fueling a hunger that breakfast, lunch and dinner could not satisfy.
Gold! Finally Waweru wins his first gold for Kenya at the prestigious annual King’s Cup Championships in Bangkok, Thailand in 1980. Injury forced out his Italian opponent paving the way for his gold with welterweight Kamau Wanyoike winning the second gold for Kenya. Bantamweight Isaiah Ikhoni and heavyweight James Omondi brought home two silver medals.
Towards the end of 1980, Kenya hosted the biggest ever amateur boxing event on African soil sponsored by the USA for countries which had boycotted the Moscow Olympics.
The Golden Cup to me personally was timely. It was in that same year I had ventured into sports journalism. As a rookie boxing correspondent for the Hilary Ngweno-owned Weekly Review/Nairobi Times publications, I was lucky to make my international debut in such a major tournament, ably supported by experienced colleague at the Weekly Review, the late Benson Selbys Oduke and top photographer then, eagled-eyed Sam Ouma who captured memorable photos some of which I have used here.
My work was even made easier because all the boxers in the Kenya team were my buddies including my childhood boxing friends at Prisons Boxing Club, Kamau “Pipino” Wanyoike, ring genius Napunyi Oduori and Patrick Tabu Lumumba. They gave me a lot of support, and were so happy having one of their own to report about their boxing exploits. Before the start of the Golden Cup, I visited them at the Kenyatta University where they were putting up to get their profiles which we published in our Sunday-only newspaper The Nairobi Times.
The Golden Cup International Tournament attracted over 30 countries. Waweru captained the Kenya team which finished second to the Americans with two gold, four silver and three bronze medals with USA winning five gold, three silver and one bronze while third-placed Puerto Rico finished with one gold, a silver and a bronze.
Waweru was one of the four silver medallists who lost in the final to South Korea’s southpaw In-Chang Kim.
Patrick Waweru (right) battling South Korea’s In-Chang Kim in the 1980 Golden Cup Tournament finals at the KICC, Nairobi. The Korean won on points.
“The Korean southpaw I can say is the toughest opponent I’ve fought in my boxing career, he totally confused me, he also hit me with clean punches I felt the pain after our bout,” said Waweru.
In total Kenya finished with nine medals. Bantamweight Isaiah Ikhoni was in spanking form, winning Kenya’s first gold and was declared the Best Boxer while heavyweight James “Demosh” Omondi added the second gold. In addition to Waweru’s silver, the others came from featherweight Napunyi “Tottoh” Oduori, welterweight Kamau “Pipino” Wanyoike and super-heavyweight Mohammed Abdullah Kent. The three bronze medallists were light-flyweight John “Poison” Kamau, flyweight Hussein “Juba” Khalili and u7middleweight Charles “Dixie Kidi” Oduori.
The Golden Cup team was then invited by Borg Anderson for the annual Scandinavian tour with Waweru captaining the team. Coaches were Charies Anjimbi and Sammy Mbogwa.
Waweru’s next stop was New Zealand where the six Golden Cup finalists shone with him. Wanyoike and Napunyi scooping gold medals and a bronze from Ikhoni. From New Zealand, they flew to the USA to hook up with their compatriots for an invitational tour. But, Waweru did not fight following a wrist injury he sustained in the New Zealand tournament.
The injury forced Waweru to take a break for two years. He returned to the ring in 1984 and won gold with Augustine Oga in the annual King’s Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. That was Waweru’s second gold in the King’s Cup.
“I told coach Wamzee I needed to be released to return to work at GSU so that I recover fully, I’m happy he was a very understanding coach.”
On his return, Waweru made it back to the national team beating all his opponents including the 1983 African lightweight champion Titus Omondi of Prisons.
He then travelled with Kenya’s contingent to the USA for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Making his debut in the Games, he lost his first fight to SouthKorea’s Chil Sung Chun.
The following year Waweru captained Kenya’s team to victory in the 1985 Fescaaba Championships at Nairobi’s City Hall. In the finals, Waweru needed only two minutes, 17 seconds of the first round to stop Tanzania’s Herman Mabale. Kenya regained the title with seven gold, two silver and three bronze medals followed by Zambia and third-placed Uganda.
The Ugandans returned to Nairobi in October that same year to face Kenya in the Nairobi International Show match, losing 7-5 to their hosts with Waweru beating Patrick Kamya at lightweight.
Later, Waweru travelled to Seoul, South Korea, to represent Africa in the World Cup with light-flyweight Dan Mwangi, flyweight Steve Mwema and featherweight David Ouma. Owing to a communication breakdown, Waweru, who was to fight at light-welterweight, did not take part in the World Cup because Cameroon had brought Ebanga Ndongo. Taking into account Kenya had four boxers, it was decided to give the Cameroon boxer a chance.
Africa won two bronze medals in the Seoul World Cup through Kenya’s David “Professor” Ouma and Uganda’s bantamweight John Siryakibbe who was KO’d in the semis by Puerto Rico’s Rafael Gomes while Ouma was KO’d in the first round by Kelcie Banks of the USA.
“I took no offense at all. We were united as Africa so I enjoyed myself in Seoul,” said Waweru, unaware he would return to the country for the 1988 Olympic Games. The star of the tour was Robert Wangila who became the first black boxer from Africa to win an Olympic gold medal. Prior to the Seoul Games, Waweru had guided the Kenya team to overall victories in the 1987 African Games and Fescaaba Championships in Nairobi. Kenya went on to retain the regional title in 1988 in Nairobi again.
The Seoul Games were Waweru’s last international appearance for the national team. The following year, Waweru suffered an upset points defeat to Nasser “Silencer” Athumani in the 1989 Commonwealth Games trials at the Police Pavillion, South “C”.
After a 12-year illustrious career with the national team, Waweru finally stepped out of the ring in 1992 and replaced Jairo “Wamzee” Omuholo as the head coach of Police “Chafua Chafua” team.
He retired from the Police service in 2010 as Chief Inspector.
Commenting on the current state of boxing in Kenya, Waweru said: “BFK are doing a very good job under President Jamal. They have some good boxers coming up I’m sure they’ll have their own level of success.
“I’ve seen some fans and former boxers comparing them to us during our successful era. That’s wrong. That was a different generation of boxers, it happens everywhere in the world even the US are currently doing badly but let’s continue encouraging our young boxers. They will make it.”
Waweru is however unimpressed by the mode of training in most of the current generation of boxers.
“They don’t put more effort in training, they should always go an extra mile, most of us had our own punch bags at home. From the gym we would also have our training at home.”
Waweru has suggested the revival of the Inter-Services Championships which brought together Police, KDF and Prisons, and would also like to see more inter-club contests.
“The revival of Inter-Services will contribute a lot in uplifting our standards and creating jobs for the youth. Clubs should also have friendly matches to keep their boxers in shape.”
Waweru may have stepped out of the ring but the family is still represented in BFK by John Waweru, son of Waweru’s sister.
Nicknamed Mr Rulebook, Waweru is full of praise for his uncle.
“It’s through Mont I got my job in Police and he encouraged me a lot to take up the sport,” said the hard working BFK’s Competition Secretary.
“My uncle Mont made me what I am today, and together with the late Albert Matito, they taught me a lot of things on how to become an efficient competitions secretary.”
On the health of former international boxers, the senior Waweru urged BFK to negotiate with the government for a medical cover.
“Of course it’s not possible for all boxers to have medical insurance but they can pick on the deserving ones because most of the international boxers suffer silently on quitting the boxing through various ailments associated with boxing especially joints.As one becomes older is when the injuries recur. The government also needs to remember us with tokens of appreciation.”
We hope the government will implement Waweru’s suggestion on medical cover and substantial rewards for the big achievers in the ring just like they have done to the athletes and footballers during Nairobi’s CHAN tournament in 2025.
Based on the stats, David Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) is the slight favourite to defeat Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) in their May 2, 2026, WBO/WBA Cruiserweight title fight.
April 30, 2026
Benavidez brings higher KO power (80% vs 62%) and faster volume, while Ramirez, a natural cruiserweight, brings superior size, experience, and a southpaw style.
Knockout Percentage: Benavidez is more explosive with an 80.65% KO rate, while Ramirez has a 62.5% KO rate.
Physicality: Ramirez is 6’2½” with a 75″ reach, holding a slight size advantage (0.5 inches in height/reach) over 6’2″ Benavidez.
Weight/Division: Benavidez is moving up to 200 lbs from Light Heavyweight, while Ramirez is an established Cruiserweight
Stance/Style: Benavidez is an orthodox pressure fighter, while Ramirez is a southpaw who utilizes high-volume, sharp technique.
Prediction: Benavidez is considered a -310 moderate favorite.
Why Benavidez is favourite:
Benavidez’s speed and relentless volume are expected to test Ramirez, but the difference in power and weight management at 200 lbs could be pivotal. The fight, according to Premier Boxing Champions, is a “Mexico vs. Mexico” showdown for elite cruiserweight status.
A high-stakes battle between two elite fighters stepping into war. Youth and pressure collide with experience and control.
Relentless aggression vs composed dominance. Power vs precision. A fight built for intensity.
Gilberto Ramírez — Experienced, technical, and dominant
The seasoned champion steps in with an impressive 48–1–0 record since turning pro in 2009. Ramírez combines size, ring IQ, and sharp technique to control fights at the highest level.
Standing 6’2½” with a 75″ reach, fighting southpaw, he uses his length, accuracy, and calm approach to outbox and outthink his opponents.
David Benavidez — Aggressive, relentless, and undefeated
The rising powerhouse enters with an unbeaten 31–0–0 record since his debut in 2013. Known for his nonstop pressure and high punch output, Benavidez overwhelms opponents with volume and intensity.
Standing 6’2″ with a 74½” reach, fighting orthodox, he brings speed, combinations, and constant forward movement that breaks opponents down round by round.
⚡ Pressure vs Control
⚡ Youth vs Experience
⚡ Volume vs Precision
When the bell rings, expect a tactical war with explosive exchanges as both fighters look to impose their style and claim dominance.
Tosha, tosha Dula nimekubali umenipiga no more pls....Right Nairobi Area Police light-heavyweight Oduya Aoko surrenders with hands up in the first round against GSU's Peter Dula in the light-heavyweight bout during the 1976 Kenya Police Inter-Provincial Championships finals at the Police Pavillion, Nairobi South "C".
▪️Patrick “Mont” Waweru outpoints msee wa Santos Ziwa, Akuga Arika, who was named Best Loser as tallman Peter Dula forces his opponent to lift his hands in submission
April 29, 2026
On the morning of the 1976 Kenya Police Inter-Provincial Championships finals, Billy Kikonde woke up psyched up for one big mission: to bomb international boxer Peter Kang’ethe.
He had all the weapons at his disposal, and had studied Kang’ethe thoroughly.
A slick operator – we grew up together in Nairobi South “B” – Kikonde was determined to bring down Kang’ethe to make a big statement of intent in the finals at Police Pavillion, Nairobi South “C”.
Kang’ethe made his international debut in 1971, and remained one of the country’s top light-flyweights.
He was shorter than majority of his opponents. Therefore, in most of his fights he chose to fight from the inside against his taller adversaries.
Kang’ethe was representing the crack GSU team who were the defending champions. Other formidable boxers in the red berets team were 1973 African Games middleweight champion and captain Peter Dula, ruthless body puncher George “Mosquito” Findo, Patrick “Mont” Waweru, Steve “The Black Bomber” Moi and Peter Ndirangu.
Kikonde, representing Railways and Harbours Police, had one weapon to keep Kang’ethe at bay: the left jab.
So effective was Kikonde’s jab and fleet footwork that he eventually scored an upset points win over Kang’ethe and in the process took home the Best Boxer’s Trophy. A memorable achievement for Billy.
Kikonde’s strategy worked to perfection. He kept Kang’ethe away with his constant jab and occasional right handers. Kang’ethe was beaten fair and square.
In other highlights, towering Peter Dula’s stinging punches forced his Nairobi Area Police opponent, Oduya Aoko, to go down on his knees and lift his hands in a show of surrender in the first round.
At feather, Peter Ndirangu, who boxed for Kenya in the 1973 African Games after toppling Peter Kang’ethe in the trials, outpointed Dishon Odanga. While rising giant Patrick “Mont” Waweru was pushed to the brim by Akuga Arika before squeezing a points victory in the lightweight class. Akuga received the Best Loser’s award.
Other internationals to win their bouts were light-middleweight Steve “The Black Bomber” Moi and heavyweight Joseph Kabegi.
As expected, GSU retained the overall title with 27 points while Railways and Harbours Police and Coast Province were second with 9 points each.
Later GSU captain Peter Dula, flanked by GSU Commandant Ben Gethi, received the winners trophy from the guest of honour, Minister for Housing and Social Services Dr Zachariah Onyonka, in the presence of Police Commissioner Bernard Hinga.
It’s been a while since the Police Pavillion venue was used to host some of the local boxing tournaments.
▪️Five African countries took part with Algeria finishing sixth and Cameroon seventh. No medals for Morocco, South Africa and Seychelles ▪️Cameroon’s 2023 Africa Elite Championships female flyweight gold medallist Ngoune Reine Laure is understood to be in Russia undergoing training to improve on her performance
April 29, 2026
Africa Zone 3 gold medallists Issouhou Mouhaman and Zacharie Mvogo were among the five Cameroon boxers to win five medals in the recently concluded Korotkov Memorial International Tournament in Khabarovks, Russia.
Flyweight Issouhou Mouhaman won a silver medal while super-heavyweight Zacharie Mvogo, middleweight Nguefack Tonleu Richie, light-heavyweight Fotouo Totap and cruiserweight Babiguana Georges returned home on April 28 with bronze medals.
Cameroon finished seventh in men’s medals table with one silver and four bronze medals while Algeria placed sixth, winning three silver medals and one bronze.
The information on the Russia event has been shared by Cameroon’s national team’s head coach Alain Didier Ngatcha who was with the team in Khabarovks.
Russia’s A and B teams dominated taking the first two top positions, bagging 5-1-2 and 4-3-3 medals respectively followed by third-placed Uzbekistan 2-3-3, Thailand 1-1-1 and Korea fifth with 1-0-0.
Cameroon was represented by seven boxers, five men and two women. Bantamweight Moudjongue and middleweight Lenou Balemaken Victoire lost in the quarter-finals of the women’s category.
Africa’s other participants, Morocco, Seychelles and South Africa did not make it to the medal bracket.
South Africa National Boxing Organisation (SANABO) Secretary-General Liwa Mlokokoti attributed the lacklustre performance on the short notice invitations.
“Our boxers lost in all their first bouts. There is a common thread in most international tournaments: short-notice invitations,” Mlokoti told boxersworld.co.ke in a telephone interview from Johannesburg.
He went on: “As a result, a boxer’s true capabilities cannot be accurately judged by comparing performances under short notice with those delivered after adequate preparation time for an event.”
The Konstantin Korotkov Memorial International Boxing Tournament is a prestigious annual event held in Khabarovsk, Russia, mostly in April at the Platinum Arena. The 2026 edition took place from April 20–26, featuring elite men’s and women’s boxers from various countries competing in 13 and 6 weight categories respectively.
It’s in memory of Soviet Union hero Konstantin Korotkov.
Recognized as a high-level “Class A” tournament with prize money for finalists, the tournament has been held since 1961, becoming an international event in 2008.
Meanwhile, Cameroon’s 2023 Africa Elite Championships female flyweight champion, Ngoune Reine Laure, is understood to be training in Russia for major tournaments ahead this year. She won gold in the 2023 Africa Championships by outpointing DR Congo’s Nyembo Gisele. Since then the talented Cameroon boxer has largely been inactive at the big stage.
The battle lines are drawn as Botswana’s finest forces’ boxers step into the ring for pride, discipline, and dominance
The elite boxing talent within Botswana’s uniformed forces is set to collide in an explosive showdown, as preparations intensify for the anticipated upcoming Inter-Forces Boxing Tournament. This high-profile event, featuring the best combat athletes from the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Botswana Police Service, and Botswana Prison Service, promises to showcase top-tier talent, discipline, and intense rivalry.
◾The evening was headlined by the presence of six-time world champion Mary Kom, who attended as Guest of Honour, alongside Harish Choudhary. The event also attracted notable figures from the entertainment industry, including Pulkit Samrat, Divyenndu, and filmmaker Karan Anshuman, highlighting the growing crossover appeal of professional boxing in India.
April 28, 2026
The International Boxing Association (IBA) successfully concluded the IBA Global Boxing Series (GBS) 2026 – India Edition at Nexus Seawoods in Navi Mumbai, staging a high-impact evening that combined elite international matchups, rising domestic talent, and strong engagement from both fans and the wider sports community.
Organised by Marine Pro Boxing Promotions in association with the IBA under the leadership of Umar Kremlev, the event brought together a diverse lineup of fighters from across the globe alongside India’s next generation of boxing prospects, reinforcing the country’s growing role in the global boxing ecosystem.
The evening was headlined by the presence of six-time world champion Mary Kom, who attended as Guest of Honour, alongside Harish Choudhary. The event also attracted notable figures from the entertainment industry, including Pulkit Samrat, Divyenndu, and filmmaker Karan Anshuman, highlighting the growing crossover appeal of professional boxing in India.
Khom said: “I am truly proud to be a part of the Global Boxing Series and to see such incredible talent and energy in the ring today. I’m cheering for all the fighters; events like these play a crucial role in motivating young athletes and taking Indian boxing to the global stage”.
The fight card featured a compelling mix of international and domestic bouts. The main event between Callum Dan (UK) and Suresh Pasham (India) stood out as a key highlight of the evening, drawing strong crowd engagement. In another notable contest, Ashish Sethi (India) faced Kalyan Kumar (India) in the super middleweight division, marking an important milestone as Sethi made his transition into the professional ranks.
The undercard showcased a wide spectrum of emerging Indian talent across both men’s and women’s divisions, including Gazal Maria, Maithreyi, Swetha V, Pavan Kalyan, Hashir, Ajay Sharma, Kunal Dutt, Rajkumar Wagh, Santosh Manickam, Vignesh Kumar, and Rohit Raina — underlining the increasing depth and diversity of the national boxing scene.
Commenting on the event, IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE said:
“India is a strategically important market for the global development of boxing, and the Global Boxing Series is designed to unlock that potential. What we’ve seen in Mumbai is not just a successful event, but a clear signal that there is both the talent and the audience to support a sustainable professional boxing ecosystem. Our focus is to continue building structured pathways for athletes while delivering world-class events that resonate with local fans and global audiences alike.”
Devraj Das, Founder and Promoter of Marine Pro Boxing Promotions, added:
“Bringing the Global Boxing Series to India is a strategic step towards building a strong professional boxing culture and creating global opportunities for Indian athletes.”
The event delivered a dynamic spectator experience, combining competitive matchups with high production standards and strong audience participation — further reinforcing boxing’s growing status as a mainstream sport in India.
The Global Boxing Series continues to serve as a structured international platform aimed at accelerating the development of professional boxing talent while expanding fan engagement worldwide. Following a successful debut in India, the series sets a strong foundation for future events in the region, with a clear focus on long-term growth and global integration of the sport.
▪️A disappointed Africa Zone 3 bantamweight bronze medallist Faki said he dominated his JKT opponent only to be robbed of his clean win
April 27, 2026
Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) has hailed the just concluded National Championships in Dar es Salaam as a massive success, highlighting a rise in competition quality.
Yet a cloud of controversy has emerged regarding questionable officiating in the bantamweight bout involving Africa Zone 3 bronze medallist Issa Faki, the star of the East African country at the 2025 Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai.
BFT Secretary General Makore Mashaga lauded the standard of the competition, noting that the tournament has served to significantly elevate the skills of homegrown pugilists.
“I believe we are attaining our objective of tapping talent of capable boxers to improve on boxing standards in Tanzania,” said Makore.
“We thank all the stakeholders involved notably our coaches, R&Js, media and our fans for your contribution in the development of boxing in our country.”
However, the high praise from the federation contrasts sharply with the frustrations of one of Tanzania’s premier boxers Issa Faki of Jeba Boxing Club from Tanga.
Pitted against a boxer representing JKT, Faki told boxersworld.co.ke on phone that he dominated all the three rounds and subjected his opponent to an eight count in the second round but he was surprised he lost.
“It was very unfair for the judges to deny me my well earned victory, it’s demoralizing to the boxer but I know I’m the best in Tanzania,” said Faki who became the first boxer in 51 years to win a bout at the World Championships after Emmanuel Mlundwa’s victory in the inaugural World Boxing Championships in 1974 in Havana, Cuba.
Africa Zone 3 bantamweight silver medallist Zulfa Macho was among the international boxers who won their fights, outpointing Enifa Jackson of MMJKT.
Full results
Men
48kg: Juma Athumani (MMJKT) beat Salum Awadh (Jeba Boxing) 5-0
