▪️On the menu are three explosive fights: Flyweight landlord Kelvin Maina vs Douglas Omondi, Dennis Muthama vs Emmanuel Odhiambo and Caleb Wandera vs Ayub Waweru

November 13, 2026

Kisumu boxing fans are in for an unforgettable treat today as the 45-year-old Kenya National Boxing League storms into the semi-finals and seven thrilling finals at the historic Ofafa Memorial Hall.

With pride, titles, and bitter rivalries on the line, the lakeside city is braced for all-out ring warfare—headlined by blockbuster clashes in the flyweight, bantamweight, and light-welterweight divisions.

Akinyi puts friendship aside ahead of 21st birthday

It is a massive homecoming for newly crowned continental queen Juliet Akinyi, who steps into the ring before her local fans for the first time since winning gold on her international debut at the inaugural WB Africa Championships at Kasarani Indoor Arena in October in Nairobi.

The big-punching cruiserweight faces her friend KDF’s Agnes Wambua in a highly charged rematch. When the two first met in Nairobi in 2024, Akinyi made quick work of Wambua, stopping her in the very first round.

With her father and coach, Fredrick Odwenyo, alongside family and friends watching at ringside—and her 21st birthday coming up tomorrow, Saturday, November 14—Akinyi is leaving nothing to chance.

“My whole family will be watching, including my dad and coach Fredrick Odwenyo and my friends. I can’t afford to lose,” Akinyi told boxersworld.co.ke.

“Agnes is my friend, but when in the ring we forget about that closeness. My image is at stake, and I don’t want her to mess up my birthday with a defeat.”

Flyweight “Landlord” Maina faces southpaw acid test

In the flyweight semi-finals, division “landlord” Kelvin “Young” Maina faces a stern examination against Kibra Youth’s dangerous southpaw, Douglas Omondi.

Fresh off being fully stretched by Kasarani Youth’s Morris Kimani in the quarter-finals, Maina—the reigning WB Africa and Africa Military Games champion—knows he cannot afford to slip.

Omondi arrives in Kisumu brimming with confidence after a standout international debut in Russia this year; though he lost the bout, his gritty performance sent a clear warning shot to Maina and the rest of the division. To survive, the KDF soldier must measure his distance carefully and pull the trigger at the exact right moment, or risk firing blanks.

Bantamweight grudge match: Muthama vs. Odhiambo

A fierce bantamweight war is brewing as KDF’s Africa Military Games champion, Dennis Muthama, locks horns with G44’s ambitious Emmanuel Odhiambo.
Muthama barely escaped with a razor-thin 3-2 split-decision win over the stubborn Odhiambo during the second leg at Mombasa’s Mama Ngina Waterfront.

Coached by former international Julius Theuri, Odhiambo is hungry to finish the job today, forcing Muthama to fully arm himself to avoid an upset.

Fireworks in light-welterweight and lightweight

Bombs are guaranteed to fly in the light-welterweight division as hard-hitting Police boxer Caleb Wandera returns to action fresh from completing his training at Kiganjo.

Wandera collides with national champion Ayub Waweru of Sombea in an explosive showdown where a trip to the canvas looks almost certain for either fighter. While both men carry heavy hands, Wandera boasts the more lethal weapons in his armoury. The survivor of this slugfest will meet either Prisons’ Alloys Vincent or Mombasa’s Abdullah Juma in the final.

Meanwhile, a mouthwatering lightweight final is loading between Kasarani Youth’s rising star Ben Juma and Kenya Police’s Mwinyi “Giant Killer” Kombo—provided both navigate their semi-final hurdles today. Juma squares off against Nairobi’s Eugene Omondi, while Kombo battles Mombasa’s Ramadhan Kombo.

Revenge and redemption in the women’s finals

Alongside the Akinyi vs. Wambua cruiserweight clash, five other women’s finals and one men’s final will light up the Ofafa Memorial Hall canvas today:
• *Mbithe out for blood:* Corporal Veronica “Pioneer” Mbithe steps into the ring burning for revenge against Nairobi rival Lencer Akinyi.

After dominating Lencer with six consecutive wins, Mbithe suffered a shock first defeat to her in the third leg in Vihiga—a blemish she is determined to erase today.
• Mwai returns inspired:KDF’s polished light-welterweight Cynthia Mwai makes a highly motivated return against Carolyne Wekesa of Trans Nzoia.

Having recently completed her military training and secured a steady monthly income, Mwai enters the ring sharper and more inspired than ever.

▪️Roberts announced that the IBA is preparing a new project for 2027 that will offer competitive opportunities and prize money.

November 12, 2026

IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE addressed the 64th World Boxing Council (WBC) Annual Convention in Acapulco, Mexico. He presented six years of growth at the International Boxing Association (IBA) and invited the boxing community to work together on developing young boxers.

Roberts spoke on the third day of the convention at Palacio Mundo Imperial and thanked WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and the members of the WBC Board of Governors for the invitation.

Looking back at the IBA’s journey under the direct guidance of Mr. Umar Kremlev, Roberts said the organisation’s work now reaches well beyond competition, into social projects and programmes that strengthen the sport as a whole. “This is what we have been doing over the last six years. We are developing many projects in the social space and trying to look at the entire sporting ecosystem of boxing through different types of initiatives,” he said.

The main theme of his address was the pathway for young boxers from junior and youth categories to elite level. Roberts announced that the IBA is preparing a new project for 2027 that will offer competitive opportunities and prize money.

“We are looking at a new project for next year that will offer opportunities and prize money, creating the conditions for success for the boxers you represent, especially young athletes who are beginning their careers,” he said.

He invited the delegates and promoters at the convention to work with the IBA so that their boxers can compete at its international events. “I would encourage you to work with us to help some of your boxers develop from the junior and youth categories through the senior and elite levels, so they can participate in some of our events,” Roberts said.

“Points make prizes, prizes make money, and money will help the boxers,” he added.

Roberts explained that these rewards help improve training conditions and support boxers’ development, particularly in countries where resources for boxing remain limited.

He also outlined the IBA’s upcoming calendar, which begins with the IBA President’s Cup in Istanbul, Türkiye, at the end of 2026.

“We have a great event coming at the end of the year in Istanbul, the President’s Cup, followed by a women’s version next year and then onwards to the men’s World Championships,” he said.

After the presentation, Sulaimán thanked Roberts and confirmed that he had held discussions with IBA President Umar Kremlev.

“We have met and held discussions. There are areas where we are not compatible, but there are also areas where we are very much aligned, such as social responsibility, supporting amateur boxing programs, and helping developing countries,” Sulaimán said.

“I appreciate your coming here to make this presentation. The WBC continues to build relationships and always keeps its doors open to mutual collaboration,” he continued. “We hope that the areas where we are not currently aligned can find common ground in the future.”

Courtesy IBA

▪️“I am not completely satisfied with this medal because I wanted to win gold,” She told olympic.com

November 13, 2026

Africa’s quest for a boxing gold medal at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar has come to a sad and painful end after Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah suffered a 5-0 defeat in the women’s minimumweight (48kg) final.

Facing India’s Gunjan Gunjan at the Dakar Expo Center, Bensalah was outpointed by unanimous decision, leaving the continent without a top-podium finish in the event.

Despite a valiant run to the title clash—which included victories over Nigeria’s Mayowa Ayomide and Italy’s Michela Guglielmon—Bensalah settles for a hard-earned silver medal as Gunjan claims the gold.Meanwhile Bouthaina Bensalah spoke to Olympic.com after the fight.

On making the podium:

“It is the result of quality work. It is the fruit of my hard work and, above all, my discipline.”

On the colour of the medal:

“I am not completely satisfied with this medal because I wanted to win gold.”

On the competition:

“I am satisfied with my performance throughout the competition, although I was not in my best shape today.”

On how she will celebrate the medal:

“It’s actually a surprise. I am going to go home and see what my parents have prepared.”

On her medal dedication:

“I dedicate this medal to the Algerian people. This medal is for Algeria and for Africa as well.”

▪️Africa had 28 boxers in action with three female pugilists making it to the semi-finals and one in the finals

November 12, 2026

Africa’s quest for Youth Olympic boxing glory suffered a brutal reality check on Wednesday, November 11, as the continent’s gold medal hopes were reduced to a single fighter.

Out of 28 boxers representing Africa at the Dakar Youth Olympics, only Algeria’s minimumweight sensation, Bouthaina Bensalah, survived the semi-final pounding to book a spot in today’s finals.

Bensalah, the 2025 African Youth Games silver medalist, kept the continental flag flying by the narrowest of margins, grinding out a thrilling 3-2 split-decision victory over Italy’s Michela Guglielmon.

However, the celebratory mood in the African camp quickly soured as the continent’s remaining two semi-finalists were decisively beaten:

• Cerine Kessal (Algeria): The flyweight hopeful suffered a lopsided 5-0 unanimous defeat against Venezuela’s South American Youth Games champion, Grenyelis Garcia.

• Menatalla Ibrahim (Egypt) In the lightweight division, Ibrahim was completely outclassed, dropping a 5-0 whitewash to Uzbekistan’s Rushanabonu Isoeva.

 A wake-up call in the ring

Walking away from a home-continent tournament with just one finalist out of 28 entrants marks a sobering, disastrous outing for African amateur boxing.

The results have laid bare a widening gulf in class between Africa’s young pugilists and their counterparts from Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Boxing analysts point to a glaring culprit behind the slump: severe ring rust. While European and Asian confederations boast packed, competitive year-round calendars, African fighters continue to suffer from a chronic lack of international exposure and regular high-level tournaments in the continent known more for petty squabbles among its National Federations, myopism, inconsistent government funding and greed for positions at the expense of development.

For now, the weight of an entire continent rests squarely on Bouthaina Bensalah’s shoulders as she steps into the ring today to fight for pride—and Africa’s lone shot at boxing gold against India’s Gunjan Gunjan in the finals.

In the meantime, Africa – the sleeping giant – will continue snoring as Europe, Asia and the Americas keep their boxers busy with constant quality tournaments.

▪️World Championships pre-quarter finalist featherweight Paul Omondi, Caleb Wandera and Wiseman Kavondo are back in Police team for the Kisumu fourth leg battle

November 11, 2026

Stung by the runaway dominance of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), defending Kenya National Boxing League champions Kenya Police—popularly known as Chafua Chafua—have recalled three of their most lethal weapons ahead of the fourth leg of the league in Kisumu from November 12-14, 2026.

Police coach James Wasao, a former international, has drafted in 2025 Africa Zone 3 bronze medallists Paul Omondi (featherweight), Caleb “Sugu” Wandera (light-welterweight), and polished southpaw Wiseman Kavondo (welterweight) for the three-day showdown at Ofafa Memorial Hall starting this Thursday, November 12 through Saturday, November 14.

According to Wasao, the trio missed the opening three legs of the season while undergoing mandatory training at the Police Training College in Kiganjo. Their return injects massive firepower into the defending champions’ camp, who currently trail KDF by 22 points on the league standings. KDF leads the table with 72 points, followed by Police (50), Nakuru’s Sombea (23), Kasarani Youth (21), and fifth-placed Kenya Prisons (19).

Ring analysts view the reinforcements as a clear warning to the soldiers that the lakeside city will be anything but a walk in the park.

In the featherweight division, Kibra Youth Boxing Club product Paul Omondi faces an immediate acid test against reigning Kenya Open champion Chris Juma and G44’s Euticus Wanjau. Omondi’s return has prompted coach Wasao to shift Mwinyi Kombo, alias “Giant Killer,” up to lightweight. There, Kombo joins a stacked bracket featuring unbeaten destroyer Ben Juma and Washington Wandera, who also returns to action after missing the first three legs. With KDF’s stylish Samuel Njau—who lost thrice to Ben Juma in the earlier legs—sidelined by work commitments, Ben Juma will have to elevate his game against Kombo and a fresh Wandera to prove he is the undisputed lightweight king.

The light-welterweight division promises fireworks with the return of hard-hitting Caleb “Sugu” Wandera. He faces a steep climb against Kenya Open champion Ayub Waweru of Sombea, KDF’s vastly improved Pius Macharia, Prisons’ Aloice Vincent—who defeated Macharia in the third-leg finals in Vihiga—and Kasarani Youth’s tough-as-nails Elvis Lincoln.

At welterweight, southpaw Wiseman Kavondo is out to reclaim his throne, though he must navigate stiff resistance from KDF’s Fred Omondi, Kisumu’s Joshua Onyango, and Prisons’ Francis Riziki.

While Police welcome back key stars, they will miss Kenya’s top light-middleweight, Boniface “The Hammer” Mogunde, who is away on family commitments. Stepping into his shoes is veteran Joseph “Shigs” Shigali, also known as Msee wa Ndechu. Shigali is spoiling for revenge against KDF’s omena-charged Alvin “Liwaloliwe” Oduor. Oduor beat Shigali in the Vihiga finals in a fierce Eastlands mtaa derby pitting Mbotela against Jericho—two Nairobi estates famous for their 1970s street rivalries—and Shigali has vowed to silence Oduor in Kisumu.

In the middleweight berth, Police have named WB Africa bronze medallist Steve Onyango, who recently helped Kenya clinch the overall WB African Championships title (five gold, three silver, six bronze). He is set for a tough clash against KDF’s African Games champion, Edwin Okong’o.

In the lower weights, Wasao has brought back minimumweight Sylus Onyango, who is eager to avenge his first-leg upset defeat to Nakuru’s Joseph Moses. Kasarani Youth’s Morris Kimani and KDF’s Ali Mohammed are also in the mix, though Nairobi’s Clinton “Canelo” Omondi of Kibra Youth misses out due to weight issues.

The flyweight division is set for another explosive chapter. Police have stuck with third-leg winner Abdullah Juma, who scored a controversial upset victory over KDF’s reigning WB Africa champion and self-proclaimed division “landlord,” Kelvin “Young” Maina. KDF officials still insist Maina was robbed in Vihiga, setting the stage for a tense rematch. Also looking to steal the show at flyweight are Prisons’ Moses Kilavuka, Sombea’s Isaac Karanja, and Kibra Youth southpaw Douglas Omondi, who arrives on the back of an impressive international debut in Russia this year.

▪️Nine boxers sent packing, bringing to 25 the total number of African pugilists eliminated in the Youth Olympics

▪️Sub-Saharan wipeout leaves North African trio, Algerians Bothaina Bensalah and Cerine Kessal alongside Egypt’s Menatallah Ibrahim as the only ones remaining in the boxing competition

November 11, 2026

Africa’s bruising campaign at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games suffered another heavy blow on Tuesday, November 10, as nine more fighters crashed out during the second session of the quarter-finals, reports boxersworld.co.ke.

Out of 11 African boxers who stepped into the ring, only two survived the bloodbath. The latest wave of defeats pushes the continent’s elimination tally to a staggering 25 boxers, leaving just three fighters standing ahead of today’s semi-finals.

Egypt’s lightweight Menatalla Ibrahim delivered the knockout punch of the day, stopping China’s Jiaen Wang at 1:13 of the second round.

Algeria’s minimumweight Bothaina Bensalah served up a cold dish of revenge, outpointing Nigeria’s Mayowa Ayomide 5-0. The dominant unanimous decision avenged Bensalah’s painful loss to Ayomide in the 2025 African Youth Games final in Luanda, Angola.

Bensalah and Ibrahim now join flyweight Cerine Kessal (Algeria) to form a strictly North African trio carrying the entire continent’s medal hopes into Wednesday’s semi-finals, after boxers from Sub-Saharan Africa were completely wiped out of the tournament.

Today’s Semi-Final Showdown (November 11):

• Minimumweight: Bothaina Bensalah (Algeria) vs. Michela Guglielmon (Italy)

• Lightweight: Menatalla Ibrahim (Egypt) vs. Rushabonu Idea (Uzbekistan)

• Flyweight: Cerine Kessal (Algeria) vs. Grenyelis Garcia (Venezuela)

boxersworld.co.ke

▪️Sixteen African boxers have so far been eliminated, 12 are still on the battlefield with 11 featuring in today’s quarter-finals while one is in the semi-finals

November 10, 2026

Algeria’s female flyweight Cerine Kessal delivered a vital lifeline for African boxing on Monday, November 9, 2026, guaranteeing the continent its first medal of the Dakar Youth Olympics by fighting her way to the semi-finals.
Her triumph, however, proved to be the lone bright spot on a bruising day for the host continent.

Seven other African boxers—including host nation Senegal’s final remaining hopeful Khadidiatou Boiro—were eliminated during the opening round of quarter-finals.

Kessal made quick work of Bhupal’s Sangay Peldon, forcing a referee stoppage at 1:28 of the second round. With a podium finish now assured regardless of her next result, the Algerian advances to a difficult semi-final clash against Venezuela’s Grenyelis Garcia—a formidable test that could prove to be her toughest hurdle yet.

Garcia, tipped by boxing analysts as one of the hot prospects for gold, booked her spot in the final four with a dominant display against Kenya’s Ellah Demesi, securing a first-round stoppage in 2:02.

Capitalizing on her superior reach, the South American Youth Games champion overwhelmed Demesi with a relentless barrage of head shots. After the Kenyan took three standing counts without mounting an effective response, the referee stepped in to wave off the bout.

While Demesi, who celebrated her 17th birthday on September 29 this year, struggled to find her spark on the day, the bout offers her valuable experience as she looks to improve for future international tournaments but at the big stage she has to be fast, aggressive, increase her work rate, show more fire and an appetite for victory. Otherwise she’s a talented boxer with a bright future.

Botswana’s Precious Masaba stepped into the ring looking to avenge Demesi’s earlier loss to Canada’s Mehreen Khakh at the World U-19 Futures Cup in Bangkok. Masaba started strong, taking the fight to the Canadian southpaw in an aggressive opening round. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second. Khakh took control of the exchanges, repeatedly catching Masaba with a sharp left cross that resulted in three counts and another referee stoppage, compounding Africa’s rough outing.

For host nation Senegal, the disappointment continued. With two boxers already eliminated earlier in the tournament, local hopes rested squarely on the shoulders of female featherweight Khadidiatou Boiro. Entering the ring determined to turn the tide for the hosts, Boiro ultimately suffered a similar fate, bowing out in the quarter-finals to bring Senegal’s home boxing campaign to an early close. She lost 5-0 to Kazakhstan’s Aknur Tursyngali.

While the females chalked up one victory, all the three African male boxers in the quarters were bundled out.

Libya’s bantamweight Emran Bawi was the first victim going down to Australia’s Marley Dodd, Gambia’s bantamweight Alieu Sanyang lost 5-0 to Canada’s Lisandro Garcia and welterweight Fahd Wazir was stopped in 2:59 of the second round.

Meanwhile, 11 African boxers take to the ring in today’s quarter-finals, one of the highlights being women’s minimumweight rematch between Nigeria’s African Youth Games champion Mayowa Ayomide and Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah. The Algerian is seeking to avenge a points loss to Mayowa in the finals of the African Youth Games in 2025 in Luanda, Angola.

The quarter-finals pairings involving the African boxers:

Men

Flyweight
Namibia’s Kalenga Abraham vs India’s Ambekar Lairen

Lightweight
Togo’s Blaise Agoda vs Thailand’s Siwa Chainarong

Mauritius’ Julian Agathe vs Puerto Rico’s Torres Santiago

Seychelles’ Franco Zialor vs China’s Zhengkun Zhang

Light-middleweight
Ghana’s Amartey Tagoe vs UAE’s Mohamed Moaaz

Egypt’s Ahmed Mobarak vs Great Britain’s Michael Maughan

Women

Minimumweight
Nigeria’s Mayowa Ayomide vs Algeria’s Bothaina Bensalah

Bantamweight
Morocco’s Manar Adnane vs Japan’s Yura Kanemaru

Egypt’s Hajer Elsherbiny Wahba vs Maral Tolepbergen

Lightweight
Egypt’s Menatalla Ibrahim vs China’s Jiaen Wang

boxersworld.co.ke

▪️“Ellah gave her all. The opponent was taller and more experienced, but this is part of the learning process. She has gained a lot from this competition, and we believe she will use the experience to improve,” said national team deputy head coach David Munuhe

November 10, 2026

Team Kenya boxer Ellah Demesi’s campaign at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games came to an end on Monday after she was defeated by Venezuela’s Grenyelis Garcia in the women’s 51kg quarter-finals.

Demesi, who received a bye in the opening round, faced Garcia in her first bout of the competition. The Venezuelan had already competed in the round of 16, where she secured a 5-0 victory over New Zealand’s Lea Newman, before advancing to the quarter-finals.

Despite the challenge of facing a taller and more experienced opponent, the Kenyan teenager gave a determined performance in her first appearance in the Olympic ring.

Kenya’s national deputy head coach David Munuhe said Demesi had done her best against a more experienced boxer, adding that the experience would be valuable as she continues developing her career.

“Ellah gave her all. The opponent was taller and more experienced, but this is part of the learning process. She has gained a lot from this competition, and we believe she will use the experience to improve,” said Munuhe.

The coach described participation at the Youth Olympic Games as an important milestone for the young boxer, noting that reaching the Olympic stage was an achievement in itself. Demesi’s appearance in Dakar marks her third outing with the national team. She previously represented Kenya at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola, in 2025, before competing at the World Boxing U19 Futures Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, in March 2026.

The Bangkok competition also served as a qualification pathway to the Dakar Games. The 17-year-old made history by becoming the first Kenyan boxer to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games.

Her journey in boxing began in 2024 at Kibra Youth Boxing Club. She initially accompanied her younger brother to the club, but soon developed an interest in the sport and began training herself. She is a Grade 10 student at Shadrack Kimalel School.

Munuhe said the experience gained in Dakar would provide motivation for Demesi and other young boxers as they prepare for future international competitions.

Although her campaign has ended, Demesi’s participation marks an important step for Kenyan women’s boxing, offering valuable exposure at a major international youth competition and an inspiration to upcoming female boxers.

From Gladys Midecha in Dakar(photos by David Kabiru)

▪️Only two boxers out of the eight in action qualified for the quarter-finals

▪️Today eight African boxers – five women and three men – enter the ring for the first quarter-finals among them Kenya’s Ellah Demesi, Senegal’s last bullet Khadidiatou Boiro and Botswana’s Precious Masaba.

▪️Nigeria’s African Youth Games female 48kg champion Mayowa Ayomide vs Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah in a tight rematch in November 10 quarters. Mayowa beat Bouthania in the 2025 African Youth Games finals in Angola.

November 9, 2026

A brutal “tornado” tore through the ring on a disastrous Sunday at the Dakar Youth Olympics, wiping out six of Africa’s eight boxing contenders in the Round of 16—including host nation Senegal’s two main medal hopes on November 8, 2026.

Only Algeria’s African Youth Games silver medallist Bouthaina Bensalah and Mauritius’ Julian Agathe survived the carnage to punch their way to the quarter-finals, salvaging a miserable day for the continent.

In the women’s minimumweight (48kg) division, Bouthaina Bensalah delivered a dominant 5-0 shutout against Thailand’s Pemika Kayungkasem, setting up an all-African quarter-final clash on November 10 against Nigeria’s Mayowa Ayomide who defeated the Algerian in the finals of the 2025 African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola. Men’s lightweight Agathe cruised to a unanimous 5-0 points victory over Fiji’s Norman Amram. He now faces Puerto Rico’s Torres Santiago on Tuesday, November 10 in the last eight bouts.

Elsewhere, the African contingent collapsed under relentless international pressure:

Double heartbreak for the hosts: Senegal’s medal dreams took a devastating hit. Women’s lightweight Soda Faye, a silver medallist at the 2025 African Youth Games in Angola, was overwhelmed and stopped in just 1:30 into the opening round by Slovakia’s Karolina Koralova, while men’s flyweight Cheikh Faye dropped a 5-0 unanimous decision to India’s Ambekar Lairenlakpam.

Early exits: Morocco’s minimumweight Meryem Boukraa kicked off the dismal run with a 3-0 loss to Italy’s Michela Guglielmon.

First-round stoppages: Equatorial Guinea’s lightweight Andeke Essau and Somalia’s flyweight Hassan Mohamed suffered identical fates, both stopped at the 2:59 mark of the first round by Turkey’s Ali Mohamed and Romania’s Madalin Calugar, respectively.

Late stoppage: Algeria’s Meriem Sari battled into the final frame of her women’s lightweight bout before being sent packing at 1:25 of the third round by China’s Jiaen Wang.

Enter the first quarter-finals today, November 9. Eight African boxers – three men and five women – are fighting in action.

Kenyans are keen to see how fast rising southpaw Ellah Demesi, their most impressive performer at the World U19 Futures Cup in Bangkok in March this year, performs against Venezuela’s Grenyelis Garcia who together with compatriot bantamweight Yeniree Castillo have made history by becoming the first women boxers to represent their country in the Youth Olympics.

Demesi made her international debut at the 2025 African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola, losing in the quarters to Tunisia’s Ouslatim Tashmin in the flyweight division.

Demesi’s next major event was in the World Under-19 Futures Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. She lost her opening bout to Canada’s Mehreen Khakh who meets Botswana’s Precious Masaba in today’s quarter-finals.

The last eight pairings involving the African boxers:

Men

Bantamweight

Libya’s Emran Bawin vs Australia’s Marley Dodd

Gambia’s Alieu Sanyong vs Canada’s Lisandro Garcia

Welterweight

Egypt’s Fahd Wazir vs Armenia’s Suren Katvalyan

Women

Flyweight

Algeria’s Cerine Kessal vs Bhupal’s Sangay Peldon

Kenya’s Ellah Demesi vs Venezuela’s Grenyelis Garcia

Botswana’s Precious Masaba vs Canada’s Mehreen Khakh

Featherweight

Senegal’s Khadidiatou vs Kazakhstan’s Aknur Tursyngali

Algeria’s Besma Bahri vs Ukraine’s Yevanhelina Petruk

With nine African boxers – out of the 27 entered – eliminated including three on the first day, Africa’s medal hopes have suffered a severe jolt but all is not lost with eight of them in action today on the first day of the quarter-finals. We hope lady luck smiles on the African boxers as we wish them the best of luck.

▪️Luyoyo has assured medal winners in the Africa Elite Championships they will be paid their prize money

November 8, 2025

KINSHASA, DR Congo — When cash-strapped sports ministries across the continent threatened to leave dozens of Africa’s finest pugilists stranded on the sidelines, International Boxing Association (IBA) Africa President General Ilunga Luyoyo stepped into the ring with his chequebook to deliver a knockout blow to financial barriers.

In an unprecedented display of leadership and passion for the sweet science, Luyoyo single-handedly bankrolled flight tickets and full accommodation for boxers and officials from 17 nations—while also covering 50 percent of officials’ per diems—enabling them to compete at the Africa Elite Boxing Championships in Kinshasa.

Thanks to Luyoyo’s timely intervention, the Kinshasa spectacle shattered a 64-year-old record, drawing an all-time high of 171 boxers from 28 countries—the largest turnout since the continental tournament’s inception in 1962.

The 17 nations rescued by Luyoyo’s generosity included:

• Southern Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique

• East & Central Africa: Uganda, Burundi, Congo, and Chad

• West & North Africa: Ghana, Sierra Leone, Niger, Guinea-Bissau, and Libya

Without Luyoyo’s lifeline, teams from these 17 countries would have missed out on the continent’s premier boxing showcase after their respective governments failed to fund their trips.

Speaking exclusively to boxersworld.co.ke in Kinshasa, Luyoyo made it clear that African boxing must take charge of its own destiny rather than waiting for outside handouts.

“African boxing will only succeed if we all chip in instead of expecting foreign sports bodies to do everything for us,” Luyoyo declared. “That’s why I supported the 17 countries to expose our boxers.”

And the boxing boss isn’t stopping there. Luyoyo revealed bold plans to put real money into fighters’ pockets starting next year.

“I have big plans for African boxing, among them introducing a new tournament next year where boxers will be paid,” he said.

Senior IBA Africa official and close Luyoyo confidant Andre Basile Kalong hailed the president’s massive financial sacrifice as unmatched in the history of the sport on the continent.

“Luyoyo paid 50 percent per diems and offered free accommodation for officials, alongside flight tickets and free accommodation for 17 countries,” Kalong noted.

“This is total commitment. No other boxing leader in Africa has genuinely dedicated himself to the development of boxing like our President has done,” said Kalong.

With record-breaking participation and a visionary leader willing to put his money where his mouth is, African boxing has officially entered a bold new era.

Meanwhile Luyoyo has assured medal winners in the Africa Elite Championships they will be paid their prize money.

“I’m finalising a few pertinent issues with the IBA, and then they will wire the money to the bank accounts of the boxers,” said Luyoyo making it clear it’s the IBA responsible for paying the prize money.

boxersworld.co.ke