▪️Luyoyo treated DR Congo and Angola boxers to a colourful party on March 8, 2026, at his residence as a warm-up to bigger things ahead in African boxing.
March 11, 2026
The posh Kinshasa residence of General Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo was abuzz with activity on March 8, 2026, as the newly-appointed IBA Africa President entertained DR Congo and Angolan boxers to a lavish party to celebrate the International Women’s Day.
General Luyoyo, the powerhouse behind DR Congo boxing progress and a pivotal figure in African boxing, landed running—literally and figuratively—to orchestrate a spectacular, cross-border celebration ahead of a chain of events to mark his busy schedule of boxing activities in Africa backed by a team of knowledgeable professionals in the sport.
With Kinshasa positioning itself as the epicenter of African sporting culture, General Luyoyo turned International Women’s Day into a glamorous celebration of boxing unity, bringing together neighbours DR Congo and Angola boxers for an unforgettable party.
The atmosphere was electric with a jovial Luyoyo mingling freely with the boxers with his rib-cracking jokes.
“We are here to celebrate our boxers, both men and women, who work hard to raise our flags,” Luyoyo proclaimed, as Congolese traditional music blended with the camaraderie atmosphere of excited boxers and invited guests all sipping their favourite drinks and mouth-watering food to boot.
It was a day of Unity and Power to celebrate the achievements of Africa’s female boxers ahead of a women’s boxing event coming soon.
This gathering was part of Luyoyo’s broader vision to make Kinshasa a hub for professional and amateur boxing, reducing reliance on external funding.
“Africa is rising, and we have the talent and the passion in Africa to shake the world,” Luyoyo said to the roaring applause from the guests.
The March 8, 2026, celebration set the tone for a monumental year in African boxing, proving that under Luyoyo’s guidance, African boxing will not just blossom but will be dancing, punching, and thriving to dizzy heights of achievement.
Present at the function were prominent boxing leaders including Luyoyo’s legal adviser on boxing matters, David Pina, from Angola who is a former chairman of the defunct AFBC Ethics Commission.
Luyoyo, the visionary new leader in African boxing, is planning to revolutionize the sport by launching a series of pro boxing fights to empower boxers through high-stakes prize money tournaments, with plans for international competition and major infrastructure improvement.
Known for fostering talent, his initiatives include staging frequent contests, offering generous support to boxers and gyms, and cultivating a new era of professionalism to rival global boxing hubs.
It’s definitely A New Dawn for African Boxing. Luyoyo, who is deeply involved in managing top African boxers such as WBC Africa cruiserweight champion Junior Makabu Ilunga, has taken the reins with a clear, vibrant vision for the continent. His approach is not just about regulation, but bringing massive change in African boxing by creating sustainable opportunities and ensuring fighters can make a living from their craft.
His strategic focus is on making Africa a powerhouse in the ring by fostering both amateur and professional talent, as demonstrated by the big success of the 2024 African Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Kinshasa.
Under the new IBA management structure,
Luyoyo will be working in tandem with the IBA who will fully support him to change the face of African boxing and bring the desired changes to the sport in the continent.
