▪️”I’m paving the way for upcoming boxers to concentrate on pro boxing, I’m aiming to become WBC champion,” says Kabeji
November 3, 2026
KINSHASA — The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Peter Pita Kabeji—the first boxer in history to win four consecutive gold medals at the Africa Elite Boxing Championships—has officially retired from amateur boxing to turn professional.
The 26-year-old Kabeji has signed with domestic outfit Luyoyo Promotions and will compete in the professional light-heavyweight division.
Kabeji permanently etched his name into the record books on October 31, 2026, at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.
Moving up to the heavyweight division for the tournament, the Congolese captain defeated Uganda’s Ebony Emmy Abel via a dominant second-round stoppage to secure his fourth consecutive continental crown.
“It is a true pleasure for me to become the first boxer to win four consecutive titles,” Kabeji told boxersworld.co.ke in an exclusive interview.
Reflecting on the historic tournament, which featured a record-breaking 171 boxers from 28 nations, Kabeji singled out Cameroon’s towering, Russia-based Tobie Ongolo Luis as his toughest opponent. Kabeji narrowly outpointed Ongolo in a grueling semifinal clash before capturing gold in the final.
“I have moved to pro boxing and will be fighting under Luyoyo Promotions in the light-heavyweight class, I aim to win WBC world title,” Kabeji explained, noting that the transition was fueled by a desire for greater competitive tests.
“I want the challenges of the bare-chested game, but I also want to pave the way for upcoming boxers to step up and represent the national team.”
As DR Congo’s most decorated amateur boxer of the modern era, Kabeji’s historic run spanned three different weight classes over four years:
• 2022 (Maputo): Won his first Africa light-heavyweight gold by outpointing Morocco’s Mohamed Assaghir.
• 2023 (Yaoundé): Defended his light-heavyweight crown against Congo Brazzaville’s Ngamissengue Mpi Anauel.
• 2024 (Kinshasa): Stepped up to cruiserweight to defeat Morocco’s Ahmed Badrani.
• 2026 (Kinshasa): Moved up to heavyweight, stopping Uganda’s Ebony Emmy Abel in the second round.
When asked about the phenomenal rise of Congolese boxing—which saw the host nation capture an unprecedented 17 gold medals at the 2026 championships—Kabeji credited a mixture of discipline and institutional backing.
“We work hard, and we are disciplined. We also have an excellent technical bench that truly understands the sport,” Kabeji said.
“Our federation president, General Ilunga Luyoyo, has contributed immensely to the developing of Congolese boxing inspiring boxers. Thanks to his efforts, government support, and the relentless hard work of our coaches, we have come this far.”
The historic milestone marks the end of a long amateur journey that began at home in Lubumbashi where he started boxing in 2010 at Club Gorille de Lubumbashi under coach Marcel Tshizubu.
“My first international competition was in Algeria at the 2018 African Youth Games,” Kabeji recalled. “I won the gold medal there after winning both of my fights.”
That early success in Algeria set the baseline for an illustrious career. He graduated to the senior national team for the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, where he punched his way to the finals and returned home with a hard-fought silver medal—the definitive launching pad for a legacy forged in gold.
