▪️Defending champions, Cameroon’s Issouhou Mouhaman and DR Congo’s Mbalayi Mbamba win with ease in their first fights
▪️Gabon’s Mandela Cup gold medallist Arthur Lendoye beaten but could still make amends in his next fight in the round robin format event ending on Sunday
July 4, 2026
The canvas at Libreville’s Palais des Sports dripped with sweat and statement victories on Day 1 of the Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championship on Friday, July 3, 2026.
Defending champions DR Congo unleashed a hungry squad of rookie prospects, silencing doubts by capturing seven dominant victories. Seeking a historic fourth consecutive regional crown, the Congolese powerhouse proved their pipeline of young talent is just as lethal as their veteran guard.
Cameroon immediately answered the challenge, hunting down five emphatic victories of their own to stay within striking distance. The Central African giants traded blows from afar on the leaderboard, turning the opening session into an explosive two-horse race.
The battle lines are officially drawn in Gabon. With DR Congo’s explosive youth combined with experienced boxers and Cameroon’s relentless pursuit, this tournament has all the trappings of a pitched battle between the two Central African rivals.
Gabon and Congo Brazzaville opened their account with two victories each.
Among the highlights, defending men’s flyweight champion Issouhou Mouhaman of Cameroon and DR Congo’s female welterweight Mbalayi Mbamba won their opening bouts while Cameroon’s bronze medallist in the 2025 Zone 3 Championships in Nairobi Baguigana Georges fired blanks going down to relatively unknown DR Congo’s Mbangi William as local fans were dealt a devastating blow when one of their gold medal prospects, light-middleweight Arthur Lendoye, a gold medallist in the Nelson Mandela Cup, was beaten 5-0 by DR Congo’s Disasi Joseph. Lendoye was one of the three bronze medallists in the 2025 Zone 3 Championships in Nairobi. Gabon finished seventh.
Mouhaman defeated Gabon’s Ndjembi Mbadinga with Mbalayi outpointing compatriot Bampala Monique at welterweight.
Cameroon’s regular internationals, female flyweight Moudjongoue Odette, light-heavyweight Ngon A Ngon and super-heavyweight Kond Paul also won their first fights with Odette defeating DR Congo’s Bayigo Manisca 5-0, Ngon beating Odzoua Reche of Congo Brazzaville 5-0 and Kond outpointing Gabon’s Nembot Samuel.
The Africa Zone 3 enters the second day today, Saturday, July 4, 2026, with more intensified action.
Some of big names in the region in action today are Africa, Mandela Cup and Zone 3 light-flyweight champion Diyonka Benedicte, Zone 3 champions Mbalayi Mbamba and Malewu Tekasala all from DR Congo, Gabon’s Arthur Lendoye who returns for his second fight after losing the first one and Cameroon’s Ngon A Ngon.
The Technical Delegate, Godavarisingh Rajcoomar, told boxersworld.co.ke a total of 44 boxers are taking part in the three-day event conducted in round robin format. The tournament ends on Sunday, July 5, 2026 and the following day all teams leave for home. In addition to overseeing the Zone 3 Championships, the busy bee Raj is also conducting R&J Certification Course. Big up Raj we salute you for your commitment and passion. Your friend Nelson Otieno in Nairobi is preparing to welcome you – on your way to Mauritius – with the tasty fresh fish at Chel-C Restaurant.
boxersworld.co.ke
