▪️History is made in Kenya’s first ever livestream-only pro boxing card with invited guests only in attendance
▪️ A meticulously organized 10-bout card by UFS in collaboration with title sponsor SportPesa marks the begnning of a series that will definitely unearth several promising boxers in the East and Central African Region
30/01/2026
The inaugural SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars show got underway with a flourish on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the DSTV Multichoice Studio, Jamhuri Park Showground, Nairobi, exhibiting promising young talent in a meticulously organised contest by promoter Maurice Odera of Ultra Fight Series (UFS BXNG).
Attended by invited guests only, the event, the first ever livestreaming-only pro boxing show in Kenya, marked the beginning of a 9-contest series designed to revamp pro boxing in Kenya through a 40-million-shilling sponsorship partnership between SportPesa and Ultra Fight Series (UFS).
Among those attendance included SportPesa’s Head of Partnership and Sponsorship Japheth Akhulia, celebrated former WBC world champion Fatuma Zarika and Kenya’s World Championships quarter-finalist Robert Okaka aka Man Man Ngori.
The event featured 10 action-packed bouts, with a strong focus on technical skill and exciting matchups. Kenyan boxers dominated the Tanzanians in the main and co-main fights with Javan Buyu and John Juma scoring spectacular knockout victories.
In the main fight, Juma stretched his unbeaten run to 11 fights, 9 KOs with a second round knock out victory over a timid David Mbumba in a scheduled eight-round welterweight bout.
The southpaw Mbumba spent the better part of the first round holding the patient Juma in a vain attempt to block him from landing his lethal punches.
He finally succumbed after one minute of the second round when Juma dug deep with a right to the solar plexus that had Mbumba on his knees gasping for breath.
Referee Julius Odhiambo, seemingly impatient over Mbumba’s timid approach, ruled it a KO.
“I had not prepared well for the fight but next time I’ll train harder to avenge the defeat,” said Mbumba in a chitchat with the MC who wondered why he agreed to fight if he was not prepared to face the Kenyan KO specialist.
The co-main fight saw a former martial artist Javan Buyu knocking out Tanzania’s Martin Shekivuli in one minute, 40 seconds of the first round.
Buyu KO’d Shekivuli with a powerful right punch to the jaw and a lightning left to the chin that sent him tumbling to the canvas for the full count by referee Francis Olando.
Still dazed, Shekivuli remained sprawled on the canvas as the medical personnel helped him recover. He eventually stood up and was escorted back to his corner.
Buyu spoke to boxersworld.co.ke after the fight.
“When the fight started, I put my guard tight and went in to test his power throwing few punches but I couldn’t feel his punches, that’s when I decided to show him what stuff I’m made of by going flat out.”
Indeed when Buyu decided to release the bees, it was evident the Tanzanian was fighting a losing battle.
Buyu is now unbeaten in six fights with three KOs, while Shekivuli dropped to 7-11-7 with two KOs.
Commenting on the inaugural SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars series, Buyu praised SportPesa and the UFS for their professionalism.
“SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars was a truly remarkable event well organized and executed with excellence by UFS in partnership with SportPesa. The seamless coordination, electrifying atmosphere, and strong support for athletes showed the commitment to growing boxing in Kenya and beyond.
“It wasn’t just a competition; it was a celebration of talent, discipline, and community spirit. I’m grateful to UFS and SportPesa for setting such a high standard and giving boxers a platform to shine. Looking forward for more and more and to see super stars from Kenya winning world titles ”
Buyu, who is the national lightweight champion, went on: “Boxing in the show felt like a whole new chapter in my life. The energy, the spotlight, and the platform made it more than just another fight it was the beginning of something bigger.My view of the fight? It was pure dominance. I came in prepared, focused, and delivered a first round knockout. It wasn’t just a win it was a statement. I showed that I’m here to rise, to inspire, and to prove that boxing in Kenya is on another level.”
A relaxed and jovial Buyu also shared his past as a martial artist.
“I’ve been a martial artist for years, sharpening my craft across different disciplines before stepping fully into boxing in 2024, May. I started with kickboxing, then switched to Muay Thai where I dominated fighting in Thailand itself and proving that even the Thai fighters couldn’t keep up with my skills. My Muay Thai record stands at 11–1, a testament to my discipline and striking power. From there, I transitioned into MMA, where I built a solid 3–1 record, showing my versatility and ability to adapt in any combat arena. Now, I’m channeling all that experience into boxing, bringing the precision of kickboxing, the toughness of Muay Thai, and the strategy of MMA into the ring. Every fight is not just about winning it’s about proving that my journey across martial arts has transformed me into a complete fighter.”
Buyu, who had his belt around his shoulders, won the national lightweight title on October 10, 2025 outpointing the tough Christopher Osicho. He remained humble in victory and did not look down upon his vanquished Tanzanian opponent.
“Martin Shekivuli is a seasoned and highly experienced boxer with 24 fights under his belt. Every bout adds to a fighter’s wisdom, and Martin has clearly built a wealth of experience in the ring. I have nothing but respect for him as a champion his record speaks for itself. On that night, it was simply my time to shine. I also want to give full credit to UFS for matching me against such a top opponent, because facing fighters of Martin’s caliber is what builds my own experience and exposure. That’s how growth happens, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
In some of the undercards, Kenya’s 2022 Africa Zone 3 bronze medallist Alice Waiyego made a successful pro debut beating the gritty Kakamega-based Rael Ashubwe in a four-round lightweight duel.
“It was a really amazing opportunity, we are looking forward to the next one. If SportPesa are consistent, the series will change the lives of boxers,” Alice told boxersworld.co.ke
“I turned pro because there’s great appreciation of talent in pro boxing.”
Asked if she would represent the national team again, Alice said “No” without elaborating.
Tanzania’s bantamweight Luca Cosma KO’d Kenya’s Peter Andayi in the second round while DR Congo’s flyweight Leuka Mike lost to Kenya’s Jackson Munene from Kakamega.
The SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars series involves nine contests divided into quarters.
Each quarter has two smaller events culminating in a major one titled SportPesa Boxing Night.
Not all events will be open to live audiences; some will be produced exclusively for streaming.
The next event will also be a SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars night on Thursday, February 26.
Full results
Welterweight main fight
John Juma (Kenya) KO’d David Mbumba (Tanzania) in the second round.
Lightweight co-main fight
Javan Buyu KO’d Tanzania’s Martin Shekivuli in the first round
Super-flyweight
Abdi Bashir KO’d Suleiman Gitau in the fourth round
Super-welterweight
Michael Oduor outpointed David Oluoch
Lightweight
Alice Waiyego outpointed Rael Ashubwe
Bantamweight
Tanzania’s Lucas Cosma KO’d Kenya’s Peter Andayi in the second round
Super-bantamweight
Victor Njoroge TKO’d Jacob Mahindu in round 3
Flyweight
Kenya’s Leuka Munene outpointed DR Congo’s Leuka Munene
Light-heavyweight
Elijah Kingi outpointed
Gentry Ochieng
*Lightweight*
Samuel Wanjiku outpointed Simon Oricho
