▪️”I’ve been the national champion from 2015 there’s no recognition from the government and at my place of work I’m still a police constable,” says Morris Okola
▪️Okola returns to the ring on February 27 to vie for the East and Central Africa heavyweight title against Uganda’s Hudson Muhumuza in a 10-round fight
Kenya’s national heavyweight pro boxing champion Morris “Hercules” Okola has for the first expressed his dissatisfaction at his place of work and lack of recognition from the Kenya government.
“I joined Kenya Police in 2006, I’ve done very well in amateur and pro boxing but I’m still a constable,” an angry Okola told boxersworld.co.ke ahead of his regional title fight.
Okola will take on Uganda’s Hudson Muhumuza for the East African heavyweight title on February 27 at Mass House along Ngong Road in Nairobi.
“I won three gold medals in amateur boxing and in pro I’m the national champion from 2015 but I’ve not been promoted like the athletes, I’m just a constable,” said Okola.
Pulling no punches, Okola went on: “Last year I was recognised as a hero alongside other achievers during the Mashujaa Day but after spending the night in an expensive hotel, the following day we were given only 10,000, what’s that now?
“Payment in pro boxing in Kenya is very low, boxers are living from hand to mouth but I don’t blame the promoters, they’re trying their best what’s affecting them is lack of sponsors, I’m happy to see SportPesa back in pro boxing they’ll make a lot of difference.”
Commenting on his East and Central Africa heavyweight title fight, the 43-year-old southpaw Okola said the fight will not go past the third round.
“I will finish it earlier or in the third round, the Ugandan boxer (Hudson Muhumuza) cannot withstand my punches,” said Okola who says he has won 18 fights with 13 KOs and lost five. His record on boxrec, the online record-keeper of pro and amateur boxers, is 13-5-0, 13 KOs.
Besides Okola, the other Kenyan featuring in a title fight in the Kalakoda card is Joshua Wasike who will vie for the East and Central Africa cruiserweight title against Tanzania’s Jacob Maganga.
Subject to changes, below is the February 27 card released by Kalakoda promoter Greg Cox:
Morris Okola (Kenya) vs Hudson Muhumuza (Uganda), East and Central Africa heavyweight title
Joshua Wasike (Kenya) vs Jacob Maganga (Tanzania), East and Central Africa cruiserweight title
George Onyango (Kenya) vs Earnest Kapinga (Tanzania), super-welterweight
Felix Loggenberg (South Africa) vs Frank Ngobi (Uganda), super-welterweight
Martin Achebi (Kenya) vs Karim Magea (Tanzania), super welterweight
Gift Tembo (Zimbabwe) vs Jay Jay Ngotika (Tanzania), super-lightweight
