▪️I thank the IBA for enabling me earn such a huge amount of money in my life I never expected it at all
▪️My defeat to the Russian boxer is an eye-opener he used his reach very well and constant jabs to destabilise my strategy
11/12/2025
Kenya’s KDF soldier Robert Okaka may have lost to Russia’s Dzhambulat Bizhamov in Dubai but the $10,000 prize money he has earned is a big leap forward in his boxing progression.
“I never imagined one day I’ll earn such a huge amount of money in my life but the IBA has made it happen,” says the soft-spoken Okaka aka Man Man Ngori.
The $10,000 is Okaka’s biggest ever paycheck, courtesy of the International Boxing Association’s ambitious plan to empower boxers financially through commercialisation of boxing.
It’s the first time quarter-finalists are earning $10,000 in Men’s World Boxing Championships, an initiative broached by the IBA’s Russian billionaire President Umar Kremlev and Secretary-General & CEO Chris Roberts OBE.
Okaka is justified to earn the money. He’s the most impressive Kenyan boxer in the ongoing IBA Men’s World Championships in Dubai, putting up a splendid show to bow out in the quarter-finals.
He is also the first Kenyan boxer in 43 years to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Men’s World Boxing Championships since 1982 when Olympic bronze medallist Ibrahim. “Surf” Bilali and Hussein “Juba” Khalili made it to the last eight in Munich, Germany.
This in itself is a remarkable milestone for Okaka and the Boxing Federation of Kenya whose head coach Musa Benjamin has now been nicknamed General by the Kenyan and Botswana boxers for successfully plotting the fall of Tunisia’s Youssef Rafrafi in the pre-quarters.
In addition to the quarter-finals feat, the $10,000 Okaka has earned is the icing on the cake that made him rewind to the rough and tough life he went through before being employed by the Kenya Defence Forces.
“I’m happy earning $10,000 because I never expected to get such a huge amount remembering my survival days as a water vendor and garbage collecter in Ofafa Maringo Estate in Nairobi,” says Okaka
“Life was not easy for me then hustling and going to school at the same time but God’s timing is the best. From a water vendor and garbage collector to where I am now is the Almighty answering my prayers.
Twice bronze medallist in the Africa Elite Championships, Okaka is further encouraged by the fact that he will share the money with BFK in accordance with IBA’s guidelines.
“Without the BFK and our coaches I would not be where I am now,” says Okaka who hails from Matungu in Western Kenya.
He recalls the support he received from national head coach Musa Benjamin and his technical team when he used to have roasted maize and strong tea for supper, waking up the following morning to dash to Police Depot at Mathare on an empty stomach.
“I really appreciate the support of our head coach Musa, David Munuhe and John Waweru.
“They would contribute money for my food so that I don’t train on an empty stomach. I’m therefore very happy to share my prize money with them.”
Okaka recounts what he describes as the toughest ever fight in the ring against the tall Russian boxer in Wednesday’s quarter-finals.
“He’s the most difficult opponent I’ve fought, he was taller than me and used his long jab nicely to destabilise my strategy,” says Okaka mentioning the eye punch in the first round as another setback.
“He punched me hard on my right eye in the first round it was so painful I couldn’t see properly after that punch.
“He realised that he had hurt me so he increased his volume of attacks but I started moving more in the ring to avoid his punches he was throwing so tactfully.”
Another setback was the left hand injury he sustained while punching the Russian boxer.
“I hurt my fingers on the left hand, I punched badly. I thank my corner they helped me a lot. I told them I must finish the fight for experience despite the pain I was going through.”
What has Okaka learnt from his toughest ever fight in the ring?
“I’ve learnt to be more tactful and skilfull like the Russian boxer, Africans we use a lot of strength in the Ring.”
Besides the input of the national team coaches, Okaka is very grateful to KDF’s technical team.
“They have done a lot to improve my boxing,” says Okaka, adding:” That’s what makes KDF a formidable team with knowledgeable coaches who have taken part in big international competitions. Bravo!! my KDF comrades back home.”
