▪️Making his debut for the national youth team, Arianda was stopped in the first round by Turkey’s Muhammet Ali in the ongoing Futures Cup U19 tournament in Bangkok
March 11, 2026
Rather than reacting with anger or despair, a calm Brian Arianda took his first round stoppage defeat in his stride, vowing to come back stronger.
The 16-year-old Arianda, a member of Rongai Boxing Club in Nairobi, dived into the deep end of the pool in Bangkok and learned valuable lessons.
It was the first time he was representing his country and was indeed proud to do so.
Pitted against the experienced Turkey’s Muhammet Ali in the bantamweight class, the Kenyan youngster threw caution to the wind, releasing his own combos but his lack of experience and poor ring management at the big stage was visibly noticeable.
After absorbing a sporadic attack from the Turkish fighter, the referee gave the Kenyan an eight standing count. His opponent then unleashed a series of unanswered blows which jerked Arianda’s head for the second count of eight. Realising that Arianda was being hit repeatedly without response, the referee wisely stopped the fight in the first round.
Holding the ropes, Arianda safely returned to his red corner and warmly received by head coach Musa Benjamin and deputy David Munuhe.
Arianda displayed a dignified attitude acknowledging he lost to a better fighter.
“It broke my heart but it was a learning point,
I’ll come back better and stronger,” Arianda told boxersworld.co.ke in a telephone interview from Bangkok.
“Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but one day I’ll be a champion, I promise. This is just the beginning,” said a confident Arianda whose burning ambition is to turn professional.
“I thank my coaches here for their support and encouragement, my family and friends and to all Kenyans.
“My fight didn’t go as expected but I can’t complain or bring any excuses. To my opponent, congratulations he’s good and experienced.”
Head coach Musa Benjamin hailed Arianda for his bravery and positive mindset.
“Having less than seven bouts, not to mention zero international experience in his career, this was not going to be a walk in the park,” said Musa, adding:”He was a bit anxious showing ring fright, and couldn’t get it going. He looked overwhelmed with everything, hesitant and seemed to have forgotten all we trained but he’ll be better.”
Arianda becomes the third Kenyan to be eliminated from the Bangkok tournament. Others already out are lightweight Phelix Ochieng and female flyweight Ellah Demesi.
The only remaining Kenyan boxer in the competition is Kisumu-based Sonia Atieno, the 2025 Novices and Intermediate champion.
Sonia received a bye to the 65kg quarter-finals, and will fight Morocco’s Aya Essoubai on Friday, March 13,2026.
In addition to Kenya and Morocco, other African countries taking part in the Futures Cup U19 tournament are Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Botswana, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Benin and Mauritius.
The weeklong event in Bangkok is being used as a qualifier for the Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31-November 13.
