▪️The Congolese reasserted their supremacy in Zone 3 by collecting 16 medals: 11 gold, two silver and three bronze
July 6, 2026
DR Congo boxers danced and sang at the Palais des Sports in Libreville, celebrating an unprecedented overall fourth consecutive Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championship victory.
The three-day event concluded on Sunday, July 5, 2026, with the team collecting 16 medals: 11 gold, two silver, and three bronze.
Cementing the nation’s regional boxing dominance, all of DR Congo’s defending champions successfully retained their titles: light-flyweight Diyoka Benedicte, light-heavyweight Malewu Takasala and welterweight Mbalayi Merveille.
All the DR Congo defending champions remained unbeaten in three fights in the round robin event but Diyoka’s third win against Cameroon’s determined Moudjongoue Odette was not easy. She was fully stretched before squeezing 3-2 points victory. Malewu got a walkover against Elenga Chancelle of Congo Brazaville with Mbalayi maintaining her sparkling show by defeating Cameroon’s Lenou Balemaken 5-0.
The Congolese boxers turned the tournament into their personal property, unleashing a golden storm to secure 11 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals. The ring became a theater of dominance as DR Congo systematically dismantled opposition guards, reasserting their status as the absolute monarchs of Zone 3 boxing.
Cameroon, placed fourth in the 2025 Zone 3 Championships in Nairobi, arrived with heavy expectations, tipped to go toe-to-toe with the Congolese powerhouse. They roared to life on opening day, stringing together five victories. However, the Cameroonian bubble burst spectacularly on day two. The momentum evaporated as they dropped five crucial fights, managing only two solitary victories and ultimately sliding to a disappointing fourth-place finish 1-7-2. Gabon capitalized on the slip, boxing fiercely to claim the runner-up spot 2-4-7, followed by Congo Brazzaville in third position 2-3-0.
Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo, the IBA Africa Interim President, expressed immense satisfaction with the tournament’s organization despite a lower turnout. He noted that English-speaking nations were entirely focused on the upcoming Commonwealth Games, while other delegations were sidelined by financial constraints.
For Luyoyo, this tournament was just the opening act.
“The Zone 3 was a dress rehearsal for our Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Championships in October,” Luyoyo declared, adding: “We plan to stage a well-attended, best-ever tournament with prize money for the boxers.”
While Africa’s flagship championship is locked in for October, the official host venue for the continental showpiece remains to be decided.
