▪️Luyoyo has assured medal winners in the Africa Elite Championships they will be paid their prize money
November 8, 2025
KINSHASA, DR Congo — When cash-strapped sports ministries across the continent threatened to leave dozens of Africa’s finest pugilists stranded on the sidelines, International Boxing Association (IBA) Africa President General Ilunga Luyoyo stepped into the ring with his chequebook to deliver a knockout blow to financial barriers.
In an unprecedented display of leadership and passion for the sweet science, Luyoyo single-handedly bankrolled flight tickets and full accommodation for boxers and officials from 17 nations—while also covering 50 percent of officials’ per diems—enabling them to compete at the Africa Elite Boxing Championships in Kinshasa.
Thanks to Luyoyo’s timely intervention, the Kinshasa spectacle shattered a 64-year-old record, drawing an all-time high of 171 boxers from 28 countries—the largest turnout since the continental tournament’s inception in 1962.
The 17 nations rescued by Luyoyo’s generosity included:
• Southern Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique
• East & Central Africa: Uganda, Burundi, Congo, and Chad
• West & North Africa: Ghana, Sierra Leone, Niger, Guinea-Bissau, and Libya
Without Luyoyo’s lifeline, teams from these 17 countries would have missed out on the continent’s premier boxing showcase after their respective governments failed to fund their trips.
Speaking exclusively to boxersworld.co.ke in Kinshasa, Luyoyo made it clear that African boxing must take charge of its own destiny rather than waiting for outside handouts.
“African boxing will only succeed if we all chip in instead of expecting foreign sports bodies to do everything for us,” Luyoyo declared. “That’s why I supported the 17 countries to expose our boxers.”
And the boxing boss isn’t stopping there. Luyoyo revealed bold plans to put real money into fighters’ pockets starting next year.
“I have big plans for African boxing, among them introducing a new tournament next year where boxers will be paid,” he said.
Senior IBA Africa official and close Luyoyo confidant Andre Basile Kalong hailed the president’s massive financial sacrifice as unmatched in the history of the sport on the continent.
“Luyoyo paid 50 percent per diems and offered free accommodation for officials, alongside flight tickets and free accommodation for 17 countries,” Kalong noted.
“This is total commitment. No other boxing leader in Africa has genuinely dedicated himself to the development of boxing like our President has done,” said Kalong.
With record-breaking participation and a visionary leader willing to put his money where his mouth is, African boxing has officially entered a bold new era.
Meanwhile Luyoyo has assured medal winners in the Africa Elite Championships they will be paid their prize money.
“I’m finalising a few pertinent issues with the IBA, and then they will wire the money to the bank accounts of the boxers,” said Luyoyo making it clear it’s the IBA responsible for paying the prize money.
boxersworld.co.ke
