▪️Saulo was in the crack team of Undugu St Teresa’s Boxing Club that rocked Kenya’s boxing scene in the 1980s under coach Joseph Onyango
August 13, 2026
Former Kenyan international boxer Saulo Odhiambo aka Soli has passed away at the age of 70.
He died on Tuesday night, August 12, 2026, at his home in Migori County. His fifth-born son, Santos, confirmed the sad news to boxersworld.co.ke
Santos shared that his father had been battling diabetes and dementia. The illness had worsened to the point where the boxing legend struggled to recognize his own children.
Saulo was married to Monica Auma. Together, they had seven children, including six boys and one girl. Santos is one of the triplets, others are Pharaoh and Hagler, named after the famous USA boxer Marvin Hagler. The first born is Kenas Ochiri followed by Caesar Mchongwe, triplets Hagler Onguka, Pharaoh Ajwang and Santos Ombwera, Hayes Omotto and the only girl Christabel Odhiambo. The eighth one Ntessah Bantu passed on.
The family grew up in Nairobi’s Jericho Estate. Their home was right next to Camp Toyoyo, a very famous sports ground in the area.
Before moving to Migori County later in life, Saulo spent his time helping local youth. He worked alongside coaches Nixon Bisto and Elijah Mringie to train upcoming fighters at the Jericho Boxing Club.
Saulo was a star fighter for the famous Undugu St. Teresa’s Boxing Club. When the Kenya National Boxing League started in 1981, Undugu was a “hard nut to crack” because their team was so talented.
At Undugu, or Senti if you like, Saulo fought alongside other legendary Kenyan names including: Kenneth “Valdez” Ochieng and his younger brother now based in the USA Chris “Bingwa” Sande, Joseph “Bazooka” Mwema, Washington Odhiambo (now living in the USA as Shabaan Ogolla), Musa Benjamin (the current head coach of Kenya’s national team, the “Hit Squad”), Joram “Hercules” Apudo, Peter “Rapid” Njunge (now living in Germany), Absalom “Diblo” Okinyi, his younger brother Nick “Commander” Okoth and their cousin Edwin Okong’o and Athanus Nzau.
In 1981, during one of the first-ever league matches, Undugu crushed Mombasa’s Bamburi club 9-2. In that event, Saulo won his lightweight bout outpointing Yusuf Saidi. Bamburi’s only two winners were Mbugua Wanyoike and Chadwick Agenga formerly known as Raphael Stingo.
Saulo started boxing for Kenya’s national team in 1980. After winning the Kenya Open lightweight title at the Tusker Village Hall, he was selected for an elite national team tour of London at the end of 1980.
He later joined Kimbo boxing team, where he played a major role under team manager Ephraim Amboye. The family has stated that burial arrangements will be announced in the coming days. Saulo celebrated his 70th birthday on May 10, 2026.
