Oduor has been consuming omena since he was born and says the nutritious fish also plays a big part in his boxing life
Since childhood, Kenya Defence Forces boxer Alvin “Liwalo Liwe” Oduor has been consuming omena fish daily that it has now become part of life.
Omena and Oduor are like inseparable twins, very friendly to each other. He can’t do without it. The nutritious fish also helps him a lot in boxing.
“Immediately after weigh-in during our boxing competitions, I must eat omena with ugali of course,” Oduor told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview.
“Omena gives me momentum in boxing to go beyond my limit, I love this small fish,” says Oduor who hails from Siaya County, dubbed the home of champions in the ring.
Siaya County has produced great boxers such as Kenya’s Golden Cup, Africa and King’s Cup heavyweight gold medallist James “Demosh” Omondi, Charles “Dixie Kidi” Oduori and his brother Ojow Mamba, Raymond Juma, Remjus Oketch, James Odwori, Mathias Ouma and Alex Odhiambo. The latter three boxers featured prominently for Uganda’s national team before returning back home.
Oduor talks fondly about omena fish which some consumers claim looks at you with eyes open while eating it.
Omena is reputed to contain a rich source of protein for muscle repair.
The fish also has iron and zinc for immune function and cell growth. Three fatty acids in this fish support brain function linked to a reduced risk of cognitive decline and heart health by reducing inflammation.
“As a boxer omena is a good source of protein which boosts my immune system. I’ve been eating the fish ever since I was a child.”
Oduor says he’s heavily banking on omena’s protein to excel in the Africa Zone 3 Championships.
I ask him how he will access omena once the tournament starts unless it’s on the menu of their hotel.
“That’s not a problem, I know how I will get omena, I can’t do without it,” says the 28-year-old Oduor, one of the 12 boxers making their debut for Kenya’s national team nicknamed Hit Squad.
Oduor is together in the light-middleweight berth with the reigning Africa champion Boniface Mogunde whom he says is the toughest opponent he has fought and lost on points to the cop, unbeaten locally for seven years.
“My aim is to win gold in Zone 3 and also show my dedication to the sport boosted by omena.”
Commenting on Kenya hosting the Africa Zone 3 Championships for the first time, Oduor says:”I feel incredibly motivated I will compete in my own country representing the national team for the first time, it’s a moment of national pride.”
The toughest challenger for the two Kenyan light-middleweights is Burundi’s Africa Championships silver medallist Nestor Nduwarugira. The big-punching Burundi boxer lost to Mogunde in the finals of the 2024 Africa Elite Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo.
Oduor started learning boxing in 2010 at Mbotela Boxing Club under distinguished coach Raphael Kamuya aka Kamwana.
A popular coach among the youth in Mbotela Estate, Kamwana has groomed some top Kenyan boxers among them Oduor himself and his KDF teammate Peter “The Beast” Abuti, Police international Ethan Maina and 2014 Commonwealth Games participant Mathayo Keya, one of the best light-flyweights Kenya has produced.
Keya is the one who inspired Oduor to take up boxing.
“Matayo has really boosted my confidence, he’s been my role model in boxing, I thank him for his brotherly support,” says Oduor, adding: “He’s now a spiritual leader in Mbotela Estate and teaches youngsters life skills.”
Keya was one of the 11 boxers – nine men and two women – who represented Kenya at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland where Benson Gicharu’s bantamweight bronze was the only medal for the Kenyans .Other boxers in Glasgow were lightweight Nick Okoth, welterweight Rayton Okwiri, middleweight Nick Abaka, light-heavyweight Elly Ajowi, heavyweight Charles Okoth, flyweight Christine Ongare and middleweight Liz Andiego, the first ever female boxers to represent Kenya in the Commonwealth Games.
As one of the boxers to have benefited from Kamwana’s coaching, Oduor salutes the respected grassroots tactician.
“Kamwana always categorises boxing into three stages primary, secondary and university,” explains Oduor.
“His boxing approach dwells on endurance, power and unwavering resolve to win no matter what happens in the ring, he always reminds boxers you must have the will to win.”
With the combined knowledge he has gained from Kamwana, his KDF handlers and national head coach Musa Benjamin, there’s no stopping the confident Oduor in the Zone 3 event supercharged by omena power.
