▪️Once a world boxing powerhouse, the East African nation has gone for 36 years without winning a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games

July 3, 2026

African nations are experiencing a stark gold medal drought in the Commonwealth Games, with prominent sporting heavyweights such as Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Zambia and Ghana struggling to top the podium.

Uganda leads in the gold medal drought having gone through a lean spell.

36 years without gold. The last time Uganda won the coveted medal was at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand, through light-flyweight Justin Juuko and lightweight Godfrey Nyakana.

Kenya, the most successful African nation in the Commonwealth Games boxing tournament, follows Uganda with 32 solid years without winning gold in the Club Games. The last Kenyan gold medallists are light-flyweight Abdulrahaman “Kapsi” Ramadhan and heavyweight Omar Ahmed “Kasongo” at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada. Kenya has thrice won the overall Commonwealth Games boxing crown in 1978, 1982 and 1990.

Ghana and Tanzania last won boxing gold medals in the Club Games 28 years, Nigeria and Zambia 24 years and South Africa 20 years.

Botswana and Zimbabwe boxers have yet to win a gold medal in the Club Games but Botswana boxers have been the most successful in the Commonwealth Games in this landlocked southern African country.

Flyweight Francis Mabiletsa was Botswana’s first medallist winning middleweight bronze in the 1994 Games.

Zimbabwean have had their fare share of success with Nokuthula Tshabangu clinching flyweight silver in 1990 and light-welterweight bronze from Duke Chinyadza.

The last time an African boxer claimed a Commonwealth gold medal was at the 2018 Gold Coast Games, spearheaded by Namibian boxer Jonas Junias Jonas.

While these nations have continued to accumulate silver and bronze medals, the elusive gold medal—a historic symbol of ultimate athletic supremacy—remains out of reach in recent editions.

This lean spell stands in sharp contrast to the golden eras of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s when African track and field stars and boxers routinely dominated the Commonwealth stage.

African boxers historically bagged multiple golds, setting a standard of excellence that today’s competitors are fighting hard to recapture.

The most successful Commonwealth Games for African boxers was in 1970 in Edinburgh, Scotland, where African boxers won 8 gold with Uganda the overall champions, 8 gold medals again in 1990 and six gold medals in 1974 and 1978.

Winning a boxing gold medal at the ⁠Commonwealth Games is a prestigious achievement that catapults boxers onto the global stage. For many boxers across Africa, Oceania, and the UK, it is a primary stepping stone to professional prominence, national sporting heroism, and others to Olympic qualification pathways.

The success of any nation in major amateur boxing events is measured by the number of gold medals won. It is a treasured medal for the boxers and the countries emerging tops with more gold medals.

Breaking news:

▪️IBA World Championships quarter-finalist Robert Okaka, African champion Boniface Mogunde and African Games bronze medallist Amina Martha heading to Glasgow

July 2, 2026

Germany-based Eindhoven Box Cup bronze medallist Rosemarion Achieng has officially been capped by the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK), and is now Glasgow-bound for the Commonwealth Games.

In addition to Achieng, others selected are Africa light-middleweight champion Boniface Mogunde, IBA World Championships quarter-finalist Robert “Man Ngori” Okaka and African Games bantamweight bronze medallist Amina Martha Faki. Rosemarion will hook up with compatriots in Glasgow.

Announcing the team, BFK’s Secretary-General David Munuhe, said they have been allocated only four slots by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya.

“It’s been the most difficult task we’ve gone through as BFK, we appeal to the boxers to understand our situation, we still have the IBA Africa Elite Championships in October we will send a full team,” Munuhe told boxersworld.co.ke, Africa’s authoritative boxing website.

Head coach Musa Benjamin will be the only one travelling to Glasgow. The Kenya team will be headed by BFK President Anthony Otieno aka “Jamal”.

Deputy head coach Munuhe, trainer John Waweru and the founder of Githurai Thailand Boxing Club John Ochieng are all assisting Musa at the residential training camp in Kasarani.

Sparring partners are Kenya’s latest lightweight find Ben Juma, Kenya Open champions Dennis Muthama and Edwin Okong’o and featherweight Pauline Chege.

 More details to follow

boxersworld.co.ke

▪️Zambia won bronze and silver in the 2022 Commonwealth Games but its now 24 years since the southern African country won gold in this event

July 2, 2026

The Zambia Boxing Federation (ZBF) has hired elite British boxing coach Karl Whalley to bolster its national team technical bench ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.

Working in partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ), the federation aims to elevate the tactical acumen of local fighters and build on the nation’s relentless efforts to end their gold medal drought in the Club Games.

Elaborating on why Zambia has again drafted a British coach like they did for the 2022 Games, the Secretary-General, Humphrey Kasosolwa said: “Karl wás hired to beef up the technical bench and share his skills with our coaches. Even in the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham we had a British coach.”

Kasosolwa went on: “Our local coaches also learn and it really helps to have a foreign coach with us. Unfortunately only one Zambian coach will travel the other one has not been cleared.”

For the 2022 Games, Zambia brought on board Briton Barry Philpot but he still failed to win Zambia the coveted gold medal.

The southern Africans won one silver through welterweight Stephen Zimba and a bronze by flyweight Patrick Chinyemba who will be unavailable for the Glasgow Games as he’s pursuing professional boxing in the United States.

With the Commonwealth Games fast approaching, Zambia has restricted its boxing squad to four highly focused slots allocated by the National Olympic Committee. To maximize medal returns from this lean roster, launching an intensive local camp and embedded Whalley directly into the coaching staff alongside national team head coach Charles Kangwa and technical director Ariel Banda.

Whalley—an elite Level 3 England Boxing educator and highly respected coach from the Ardwick Lads Amateur Boxing Club—brings decades of structural and high-performance training expertise to the Zambian camp. The collaboration is a long-standing vision realized.

While the initial intent focused on constructing a long-term capacity development plan for local trainers, his arrival directly transitions those strategies into ringside, practical masterclasses for Glasgow-bound pugilists.

Zambia’s African Games flyweight champion and 2022 Birmingham bronze medalist Patrick Chinyemba was knocked out of the Glasgow plans after choosing to pursue a professional career in the United States. Under the guidance of the revamped technical bench, a hungry, four-boxer squad is currently training to end the 24-year gold medal brought.

Despite its boxing might, Zambia has so far won only two gold medals in the Commonwealth Games through the late Lottie Mwale in 1974 and and fllyweight Kennedy Kanyanta in 2002 in Manchester, defeating Botswana’s Luchedzani Luza in the finals.

Since 2002, Zambian boxers have tried in vain to add the third gold medal.

Albert Ngulube of Green Buffaloes has stepped in for Chinyemba. Other members in the team are bantamweight Catherine Mwape, welterweight Emmanuel Katema and lightweight Mwengo Mwale.

By blending Whalley’s rigorous British boxing style with the explosive raw talent of the local boxers, ZBF hopes to bring home the first gold medal in 24 years.

The collaborative technical bench is heavily focused on fine-tuning defensive discipline and high-volume punch output to ensure Team Zambia stands tall when the opening bell rings in Glasgow.

▪️He will oversee the Zone 3 Boxing Championships scheduled to start today

July 2, 2026

Mauritius-based Godavarisingh Rajcoomar landed running in Libreville rushing to the venue to keep tabs with the R&J course and the draws for the Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships starting today, July 2, 2026, in Gabon’s capital city, Libreville.

An accredited IBA Instructor and Chairman of the IBA Africa R&J Commission, Raj’s hands are full in the four-day event.

“It’s hectic here but I’ll manage, we will use the round robin format for the Zone 3 tournament,” Raj told boxersworld.co.ke as he headed to his hotel to freshen up.

Four countries – all from Central Africa – are taking part in the first ever boxing tournament under the leadership of IBA Interim President General Ferdinand Luyoyo who is due to arrive in Libreville on Friday, July 3.

The influential Luyoyo has promised to revolutionise Africa boxing and bring on board sponsors to empower African boxers financially with more tournaments and a pro boxing circuit.

“The days of empty promises to impress the gallery are over, my leadership is action oriented,” said Luyoyo who organised the first ever pro boxing card pitting amateur boxers in 2025 in Tunisia.

Financial constraints affecting some countries and Commonwealth Games commitments among the English-speaking African countries has affected the turnout.

Defending champions DR Congo, Gabon, Cameroon and Congo Brazzaville are the four countries taking part in the 2026 Africa Zone 3 Tournament ending on Sunday, July 5.

DR Congo, with 17 boxers, are favoured to win the Zone 3 title for the fourth year running to cement their boxing superiority in the region.

Among the defending champions in the team are flyweight Nyembo Gisele, bantamweight Bakora Kalongo and light-welterweight Mbalayi Mbamba.

boxersworld.co.ke

▪️Now based in South Africa under respected trainer and manager Brad Dayan Norman, Phiri has developed into a technically polished four-star boxer whose disciplined approach has earned him a world ranking of Number five.

July 1, 2026

Every boxer dreams of that defining night—the one where years of sacrifice, bruised ribs, lonely roadwork at dawn and countless rounds in the gym culminate in a single opportunity to rewrite history.

For Zimbabwe’s unbeaten flyweight sensation Ndabezinhle “Pressure Cooker” Phiri, that moment has finally arrived.

The Bulawayo-bred fighter will travel to one of Britain’s most passionate boxing cities to challenge hometown favourite Brandon “The Don” Daordis for the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) World Flyweight Championship in Liverpool on September 12.

It is a contest that pits two undefeated fighters against each other, guaranteeing that one immaculate professional record will inevitably come to an end.

On paper, it is a classic crossroads encounter.

One man possesses the pedigree of British amateur and professional boxing. The other carries the hopes of a nation still yearning for another globally-recognised world champion.

For Phiri, however, this is about far more than another title belt. It is about proving that Zimbabwean boxing belongs on the biggest stages once again.

Nicknamed “Pressure Cooker” for his relentless, suffocating style, Phiri has quietly built one of Africa’s most impressive unbeaten records.

The 11-0 professional owns five knockout victories, illustrating a blend of calculated aggression and finishing ability. While he competes in one of boxing’s lighter divisions, Phiri has consistently demonstrated that his power is enough to alter fights dramatically.

Earlier this year he was crowned Male Boxer of the Year at the Annual National Sports Awards, recognition reserved for athletes who have excelled beyond their peers.

Now based in South Africa under respected trainer and manager Brad Dayan Norman, Phiri has developed into a technically polished four-star boxer whose disciplined approach has earned him a world ranking of Number five.

His reign as World Boxing Council (WBC) Africa Flyweight champion further underlines that he is no longer merely a promising prospect. He is a genuine world-class operator.

Those close to his camp believe his greatest strength lies in his adaptability. Unlike many fighters who rely solely on aggression or counter-punching, Phiri can alter tactics mid-fight, increasing the pressure round after round until opponents begin making costly mistakes. It is this patient destruction that inspired his fitting nickname. Pressure is rarely explosive. Instead, it builds gradually—before eventually becoming unbearable.

Standing across the ring will be a man equally determined to preserve both his unbeaten record and his reputation. Liverpool’s Brandon Daordis, known as “The Don”, enters the contest with a flawless 12-0 professional record, including three victories inside the distance.

At just 29 years of age, Daordis has already enjoyed notable domestic success, capturing both the British and English super-flyweight championships.

And long before entering the paid ranks, he established himself as one of England’s most accomplished amateurs.

The eight-time national super-flyweight champion enjoys extensive amateur background which has translated into a polished professional style.

A southpaw blessed with excellent movement, timing and ring intelligence, Daordis rarely wastes punches. Rather than overwhelming opponents with sheer force, he prefers to dismantle them methodically through superior positioning and precision.

His hometown advantage could also prove significant. Liverpool has produced generations of elite fighters, and local crowds have traditionally transformed the city into one of Britain’s most intimidating venues for visiting opponents. And Daordis will undoubtedly draw confidence from fighting before family, friends and thousands of partisan supporters.

Statistically, the matchup is remarkably even. Daordis has fought one more professional contest, boasting a 12-0 record with three knockouts.

Phiri counters with an 11-0 ledger and a notably higher knockout percentage, having stopped five opponents.

While Daordis enjoys the richer amateur résumé, Phiri arguably possesses greater recent momentum on the international stage, strengthened by his world ranking and championship success.

Daordis’ southpaw movement and technical discipline will seek to frustrate while Phiri’s relentless pressure, intelligent work rate and willingness to engage could force exchanges that favour the Zimbabwean. Whoever succeeds in imposing his preferred tempo may well leave Liverpool wearing the IBO crown.

Many observers are naturally inclined to favour Daordis. He is fighting at home. He understands British judging. He has competed at elite amateur level against high-quality opposition for years. The familiarity of the environment cannot be underestimated.

Yet underating Phiri would be a costly mistake. Modern boxing increasingly rewards fighters willing to travel and champions today are forged across continents rather than protected within national borders.

Phiri has already demonstrated his willingness to leave his comfort zone by relocating to South Africa to pursue world honours. That decision has accelerated his development both physically and mentally. Importantly, Phiri appears to be entering his athletic prime.

Every performance over the past few years has suggested increasing maturity, improved ring IQ and growing confidence against quality opposition. His current world ranking is no accident. Neither are his championship achievements.

While Daordis may possess the deeper amateur foundation, Phiri arguably enters the bout carrying greater hunger. For many African fighters, opportunities to compete for globally recognised world titles are rare.

When those chances eventually arrive, they often represent careers, legacies and generations of dreams compressed into one unforgettable night. That emotional fuel can become an intangible advantage impossible to quantify.

Phiri will not walk into the Liverpool arena alone. He will carry the expectations of Zimbabwean boxing—a sport rich in talent but one that has long sought consistent representation on boxing’s biggest international stages. His success would resonate far beyond Bulawayo.

It would inspire aspiring fighters training in modest community gyms across Zimbabwe, proving that world titles remain attainable despite limited resources.

It would also reinforce the growing reputation of African boxing, which continues producing technically gifted champions capable of competing with the very best Europe and the Americas have to offer.

For Zimbabwe in particular, a victory would mark another significant chapter in the country’s proud boxing history and potentially open international doors for the next generation of professional fighters.

When two undefeated fighters collide for a vacant world title, reputations are tested, dreams are realised or shattered, and boxing invariably produces the kind of drama that reminds the world why it remains one of sport’s most compelling theatres.

For Zimbabwe, all eyes will be fixed on one man carrying enormous expectations.

And if Ndabezinhle Phiri can keep applying his trademark pressure long enough, Liverpool may yet witness history written by a visitor from Bulawayo.

Courtesy Gilbert Munetsi, Zimnow

▪️The Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships will feature four Central African countries with defending champions DR Congo the team to beat

July 1, 2026

Cameroon has unleashed a formidable squad of 10 elite fighters – seven men and three women – for the Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships starting in Libreville, Gabon, on July 2, 2026.

Leading the team in their quest to conquer defending champions, DR Congo, are six internationals and four debutants, as announced by the national coach Alain Didier Ngatcha who is currently unwell and will therefore not be in Gabon.

Cameroon aims to dominate the regional tournament and establish continental supremacy but this will indeed be a tall order as DR Congo has landed in Libreville with a formidable team of 17 boxers signalling their intention to maintain their domination in the region.

Defending Zone 3 flyweight champion Issouhou Mouhaman is one of the four internationals in Cameroon men’s team. The others are heavyweight Baguiguana Georges who won bronze in Nairobi, middleweight Ngon A Ngon and super-heavyweight Kond Paul Donatien who has replaced reigning Zone 3 champion Zacharie Mvogo reportedly in Russia pursuing a pro boxing career.

Men’s newcomers are featherweight Dzanhkou Yonhoy Valery, light-middleweight Yantou Koloko Rayan and middleweight Njitack Kouanchipe Rickel while bantamweight Bilitike Nelly is the new face among the three women in the team. The other two female boxers are 2023 Africa Championships bronze medallist in Yaounde Leno Balemakem Victoire and flyweight Moudjongoue Odette all of whom represented Cameroon in the Korotkov memorial tournament in April, 2026, in Russia where the Central Africans finished a creditable seventh position with one silver by Issouhou Mouhaman and four bronze medals by super-heavyweight Zacharie Mvogo, middleweight Tonleu Richie, light-heavyweight Fotouo Totap and cruiserweight Babiguana Georges.

Cameroon placed fourth in the 2025 Africa Zone 3 Championships in Nairobi with two gold and three bronze medals.

DR Congo won the event for the third year running with 12 gold, five silver and four bronze medals followed by Kenya 5-11-8, Uganda 5-4-6, Tanzania fifth 1-4-9, Ethiopia sixth 0-1-2, Gabon 0-0-3 and debutants Rwanda eighth 0-0-2.

In addition to Cameroon and DR Congo, the other participants are hosts Gabon and Congo Brazzaville.

Cameroon’s team in Gabon for the 2026 edition of Africa Zone 3 Championships:

Women

50kg: Moudjongue Odette.

54kg: Bilitike Nelly.

70kg: Lenou Balemakem Victoire.

Men

51kg: Issouhou Mouhaman.

57kg: Dzanhkou Yonhoy Valery.

71kg: Yantou Koloko Crépin Rayan

75 kg: Njitack Kouanchipe Rickel

80kg: Ngon A Ngon Brandon.

92kg: BAGUIGUANA A Beb Georges Michel.

92 kg: Kond Paul Donatien.

▪️Botswana will be represented by three boxers in the Commonwealth Games scheduled for July 23-August 2

June 29, 2026

Botswana’s national boxing team of three boxers has arrived in Lusaka, Zambia, for a joint international training camp with Zambia and Malawi ahead of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Hosted by the Zambia Boxing Federation, the six-day camp will feature high-intensity sparring sessions, technical and tactical training, strength and conditioning, and knowledge-sharing among coaches from the three countries. The objective is to expose athletes to different boxing styles, sharpen ring awareness, and fine-tune performance under Commonwealth Games competition standards.

The regional camp forms a crucial part of Botswana’s build-up, providing valuable international exposure and competitive preparation ahead of the Games.

After the Lusaka camp, the team departs on July 11, 2026, for its final pre-Games training camp before heading to Glasgow.

BoBA Secretary-General, Tshiamo Moalosi, said the Lusaka camp is a critical part of the team’s preparations, providing quality international exposure and an opportunity for Botswana’s boxers to test themselves against strong regional opposition.

“This camp is about fine-tuning our boxers ahead of the Commonwealth Games. We appreciate the collaboration with Zambia and Malawi, which continues to strengthen regional boxing while ensuring our athletes are fully prepared to compete at the highest level,” said Moalosi.

Botswana will be represented by two female boxers, flyweight Lethabo Modukanele and bantamweight Gift Modise and male middleweight Treasure Moremi. Lethabo won a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the light-flyweight division. Others in Lusaka are light-welterweight sparring partner Odean Lessau, head coach Choga Ntoti and his assistant Grace Mmolai.

Courtesy Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA)

▪️Now based in Maryland, USA, the ex-boxing and kickboxing star has organized this all-female tournament under the theme “She Fights, She Wins” to scout rising talent, inspire young women, and give back to the grassroots sports community that built her career

June 27, 2026

The bell is ringing in Lagos, and it is a woman’s world in the ring.

Kehinde Obareh, the legendary Nigerian female boxing icon, who smashed boundaries to win a historic gold medal at the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville, has returned to her roots to inspire the next generation of Nigerian female boxers.

Obareh will launch the eagerly-awaited inaugural Kehinde Obareh Female Boxing Show on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the iconic Brai Ayonote Gym in Surulere.

Now based in Maryland, USA, the ex-boxing and kickboxing star has organized this all-female tournament under the theme “She Fights, She Wins” to scout rising talent, inspire young women, and fiercely give back to the grassroots sports community that built her career.

Returning to the ring that made her years before moving to the United States to study Business Administration and earn advanced coaching certifications, Kehinde was a relentless powerhouse in Nigerian sports, combining boxing and kick-boxing. Her journey started at age 15 in the tough training spaces of Ketu, Lagos. She went on to become an amateur boxing celebrity, capturing a historic gold medal at the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville —solidifying her place as one of only three Nigerian women to conquer the continent that year.

Once ranked number 8 in the world by the International Boxing Association (IBA), her career also saw her serve proudly in the Nigerian Army while dominating national rings.

The 24 boxers to feature in the all-female card include three internationals flyweight Zainab Adeshina, bantamweight Kareem Shukurah and welterweight Damilola Shodipe. Adeshina and Shukurah won silvers at the African Games in Accra while Shodipe represented Nigeria in the 2023 Paris Olympic qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal. Others are Nigeria’s finest up-and-coming female boxers to square it out in the high-stakes bouts.

The Mission: To uplift less-privileged female fighters, inject financial and structural hope into grassroots gyms, and expand global awareness for Nigerian women in sports.

Kehinde is utilizing her platform to turn old struggles into stepping stones for others. By bringing modern coaching insights, financial backings, and international eyes back to Lagos, this contest serves as a direct pipeline for the next generation of Nigerian queens ready to take over the global boxing stage.

She is stepping up to anchor the next generation of African female warriors, providing the exact platform, exposure, and support that the society once gave her.

Why is she doing it for female boxers only?

“It’s my way of giving back to the society that made me, and to affirm to all that what a man can do, a female athlete can do better that’s why I want to see more female boxers shining,” Obareh told boxersworld.co.ke in a telephone interview from Lagos.

She went on: “For Lagos, more efforts and consideration need to be given to female boxing to enhance further development of the sport.”

This is indeed a rare and dedicated stage exclusive to women boxers to support them punch their way to global success.

From the podium in Brazzaville to the training gyms of Maryland, Obareh knows what it takes to survive in a male-dominated sport. By bringing her resources and international exposure back to Lagos, she is ensuring that young girls with a dream don’t just punch the air—they punch their ticket to the world stage.

Naturally a team player, Kehinde has marshalled a formidable team to assist her in the successful organisation of this historic event which is now the talk of town in Lagos.

Among the experienced and knowledgeable boxing experts in her team is the Nigeria Boxing Federation’s Technical Director and former top international boxer Adura Olaleyin, a former Commonwealth Games silver medalist who successfully transitioned into coaching. Alongside renowned head coach and former boxer, Tony Konyegwachie, Adura, who previously served on the NBF board as the South-West representative from 2021 to 2025, also played a role in Nigeria’s memorable victory at the 2023 African Games in Accra, Ghana where they scooped eight gold medals.

Adura speaks highly of Kehinde and her bright idea to launch an all-female boxing contest.

“Kehinde is one of the boxers I’ve trained. She’s been an exceptional athlete one of the best Nigeria has ever produced,” says Adura, adding: “Now living in the U.S., she’s never forgotten her roots. I believe it’s crucial that our boxers give back, and Kehinde is a perfect example. She’s not only a champion she’s also a great mom, a wonderful wife, and a genuinely kind person. That’s why I’m here to support her in this competition.

“I believe Sunday will be a beautiful day she’s an all African gold medalist, an African champion, and she’s also shone in other big events. Kehinde is a fantastic athlete, and we need to celebrate her. In 2025, she was here for the election but didn’t make it onto the board, but she didn’t let that stop her. She has come back to inspire Nigerian female boxers, she’s done an incredible job. I just want to pray for her, that God continues to protect her and her family. She’s a remarkable woman, and we need more people like her.”

Kehinde’s most significant achievement for Nigeria is the lightweight gold she won at the 2015 African Games in Brazzaville. Middleweight Edith Ogoke also won gold with flyweight Caroline Linus settling for silver. This was the first time female boxers were included in the African Games. A similar two gold and silver medals by the male boxers saw Nigeria finishing second to Algeria with four gold and two silver medals to Algeria’s 5-1-2.

In the finals, Kehinde outpointed Tunisia’s Olympian Khouloud Hlimi.

“That was an unforgetable tournament in my boxing career, I gave it my all,” says Kehinde.

The two gold and one silver medals in Brazzaville were a big morale booster for the Nigerian female boxers, inspiring them to immaculate displays in the subsequent tournaments in which they eclipsed the male boxers.

With Kehinde deciding to migrate to the USA for greener pastures after the 2015 African Games, Yetunde Odunuga did not let down the Nigerian women boxers at the 2017 African Games in Brazzaville where she won a silver medal, losing to DR Congo’s Marcelat Sakobi in the finals. She was Nigeria’s only medallist.

The next stop was in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

Once again the men shot blanks with the female boxers, lightweight Yetunde Obunuga and middleweight Millicent Agboegbulem saving Nigeria’s face with two bronze medals to enable the populous West African country finish a joint 12th position with Scotland.

Four years later at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Nigerian women boxers maintained their sterling shown to outshine the men by winning three medals, a silver by featherweight Elizabeth Oshoba and two bronze from lightweight Cynthia Ogunsemilore and middleweight Jacinta Omunnakwe with the men settling for one bronze by super-heavyweight Ifeanyi Onyekwere.

The icing on the cake for the Nigerian female boxers was to come at the 2023 African Games in Accra, Ghana.

What a great show it was for the Nigeria as a whole, winning eight gold and two silver medals, thanks to head coach Tony Konyegwachie who plotted this magnificent achievement and the downfall of Ghana as well. The female boxers won a total of seven medals, five gold and two silvers.

Gold medallists were featherweight Ojo Nene Joy, lightweight Cynthia Ogunsemilore, light-middleweight Blessing Oraekwe, middleweight Patricia Mbata and light-heavyweight Jacinta Omunnakwe while flyweight Zainab Adeshina and bantamweight Shukurah Kareem won silver medals.

Against this impressive background, the inaugural Kehinde Obareh All-Female Boxing Contest could not have come at a better time for this accomplished boxer and kickboxer to unearth more talented Nigerian female boxers.

“I began my boxing journey at the age of 15 in Ketu, Lagos, Nigeria, and have since built a dynamic and accomplished career in both boxing and kickboxing,” recalls Kehinde.

“I represented Nigeria at numerous national and international events. Over the years, I’ve earned multiple medals, awards, and recognitions, including being ranked among the top female boxers globally.”

🎓 Kehinde’s Educational Background

Primary Education: Apolo Grammar School, Nigeria
Secondary Education: Ebenezer Noble Comprehensive College, Nigeria
Advanced Diploma: Boxing Coaching Course, I have also completed
Bronze Coaching Certificate in the United States, hoping to complete the next coaching certification license soon.
Current Studies equaly include: BA in Business Administration at
Southern New Hampshire University, USA

🥊 Boxing Career

Highlights; I’ve fought over 100 fights, and I remember part of which
2000 – National Sports Festival, Bauchi
Represented Ekiti State | Flyweight (51kg) | 🥉 Bronze Medal
(First national competition, just 5 months into boxing)
2002 – National Sports Festival, Edo
Represented Lagos State | Featherweight (57kg) | 🥈 Silver Medal
2004 – National Sports Festival, Abuja
Lightweight (60kg) | 🥇 Gold Medal
2006 – National Sports Festival (Gateway Games)
Lightweight (60kg) | 🥇 Gold Medal
2006 – 2nd Binatone Top 4 National Boxing Championship
Lightweight (60kg) | 🥇 Gold Medal
🏆 Best Female Boxer of the Tournament
2006 – 1st Agagu National Championship, Ondo State
Lightweight (60kg) | 🥇 Gold Medal
2007 – 2nd Agagu National Championship, Ondo State
Represented Oyo State | Lightweight (60kg) | 🥇 Gold Medal
2008 – 1st Gateway National Boxing Tournament
Lightweight (60kg) | 🥇 Gold Medal
2010 – Sunshine National Open Boxing Championship, July
Lightweight (60kg) | 🥇 Gold Medal
2010 – National Boxing Championship, Lagos
🥇 Gold Medal
2010 – T.B.I.L.E Lagos State Sports Championship, April
🥇 Gold Medal
2011 – Dove Golden Belt Boxing Tournament, March
🥇 Gold Medal | 🏆 Best Female Boxer
2012 – Oyo State Sports Festival
🥇 Gold Medal
2013 – National Open Boxing Championship, Lagos
🥇 Gold Medal
2013 – African Women Boxing Championship, Cameroon
🥇 Gold Medal
2014 – Army Sports Championship
Lightweight (60kg) | 🥇 Gold Medal
2014 – Commonwealth Games, Glasgow
Competed in Lightweight (60kg) | Exited early due to injury
2015 – 11th All African Games, Congo Brazzaville
Lightweight (60kg) | 🥇 Gold Medal
2015 – Ranked #8 in the world in Lightweight (60kg) by AIBA

🥋 Kickboxing Career Highlights

2007 – National Open Trials, Abuja
Lightweight (60kg) | 🥇 Gold Medal
(Qualified to represent Nigeria at the All African Games)
2007 – World Kickboxing Championship, Germany
Lightweight (60kg) | 🥈 Silver Medal
2008 – Battle of Champions Kickboxing Championship, March
Lightweight (60kg) | 🥇 Gold Medal
2009 – National Sports Festival, Kaduna (KADA 2009)
Kickboxing | 🥇🥇 Two Gold Medals | Lightweight (60kg)
2011 – National Sports Festival, Port Harcourt (“Garden City Games”)
Kickboxing | 🥇🥇 Two Gold Medals | Lightweight (60kg)
2012 – National Sports Festival, Lagos (“Eko 2012”)
Kickboxing | 🥇 Gold Medal | Lightweight (60kg)
2013 – 18th National Sports Festival
Kickboxing | 🥇🥇 Two Gold Medals | Lightweight (60kg)
2013 – Nigeria Army Combat Sports Championship
Kickboxing | 🥇 Gold Medal Lightweight (60kg)
16th National Sports Festival
Kickboxing | 🥇 Gold Medal. I presently work with Maryland Department of Public Safety.

1ST KEHINDE OBAREH FEMALE BOXING SHOW

At Brai Ayonote Boxing Gym, Surulere, Lagos-State 28/06/2026

GAFAR FATHIA VS
ADESHINA ZAINAB
51KG

ADEPOJU ROKIBAT VS
ADESHINA AISHAT
51KG

AJAYI
NIMOTALLAH VS
ADENIJI ALIYAH
57 KG

ADEGBOYEGA PRINCESS
VS ZAINAB IBRAHIM EXHIBITION
30KG

IDOWU BUSAYO VS
BIBILOYE KABIRAT 54KG

ANUOLUWAPO AKANNI VS
KAZEEM FATHIA 60KG

SODIPE DAMILOLA VS
ISMAIL ABIBAT
65KG

OBIORA ADA VS
OLUWAFEMI OLUWANIFEMI 75KG OLUOMO

SODIQ TOMIWA VS
EJEH PECULLIAR 70KG

ADEBISI ADENIKE VS
ADEYINKA ABIGAEL +80KG B

KAREEM SHUKURAT VS
OYINKANSOLA
KEHINDE
54KG

▪️ “We are looking forward to a thrilling autumn as the men’s divisional continental championships showcase the absolute best of our sport across every region,” says IBA Secretary-General & CEO Chris Roberts OBE

June 25, 2026

Preparations underway for 2026 IBA men’s divisional continental championships

The International Boxing Association (IBA) confirms that the highly anticipated 2026 men’s divisional continental championships are scheduled to take place this autumn.

Chris Roberts OBE, IBA Secretary-General and CEO, emphasised the excitement surrounding the upcoming season: “We are looking forward to a thrilling autumn as the men’s divisional continental championships showcase the absolute best of our sport across every region. Post constitutional changes and a 6 month strategic planning phase, the bidding process is now open, and we cordially invite our National Federations to step forward and show their readiness to host these world-class events. The IBA is fully committed to working alongside those selected hosts to ensure an unforgettable high level series of championships this autumn.”

With preparations now officially underway, these prestigious events will bring together the finest boxing talent from across the globe for a spectacular season of elite competition. To determine the stages for these tournaments, the IBA has opened the official bidding process for interested National Federation members.

The definitive host locations and exact dates for all divisional continental championships will be announced not earlier than in August 2026 after all respective bids are submitted. The deadline for all bid submissions is July 31, 2026 with further information to follow.

▪️The year 2002 became a defining chapter in Laila Ali’s career. In June of that year, she defeated Suzy Taylor at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas to capture the IBA Super Middleweight Championship. It was her first world title and a proud moment for the Ali family

June 25, 2026

What was the secret behind Laila Ali’s amazing boxing career? And Is she the Greatest Female Boxer in History?

In the long and fascinating history of boxing, few stories are as inspiring as that of Laila Ali. Born into boxing royalty as the daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali, Laila could have easily lived in the shadow of her father’s greatness. Instead, she chose to build a legacy of her own and became one of the most successful female fighters ever to step into the ring.

What makes her story remarkable is that boxing was not her original career path.

Before becoming a professional boxer, Laila Ali worked as a manicurist and co-managed a nail salon in California alongside her mother, Veronica Porché Ali. She was an educated young woman who had earned a degree in Business Management from the University of Southern California and appeared destined for a successful business career.

Everything changed when she watched a women’s boxing match on television for the first time.

Captivated by the courage, skill, and intensity of the fighters, Laila discovered a passion she never knew existed. Inspired by the fighting spirit associated with the Ali name, she made a life-changing decision. She sold her business and dedicated herself completely to becoming a professional boxer.

Many doubted her decision. Critics questioned whether the elegant and glamorous daughter of Muhammad Ali could succeed in such a demanding sport. Laila responded in the only way that mattered—inside the ring.

 A Stunning Professional Debut

On October 8, 1999, Laila Ali made her professional debut against April Fowler.

The result was explosive.

Ali stopped Fowler in just 31 seconds of the opening round, immediately announcing her arrival to the boxing world. The performance demonstrated not only her natural athletic ability but also her determination to prove she belonged in the sport.

She quickly built momentum, winning her first twelve professional fights. Nine of those victories came by knockout, showcasing the power, aggression, and confidence that would become trademarks of her style.

Among the fighters she defeated during her rise were Kendra Lenhart, Jackie Christina, Shirell Williams, Suzette Taylor, and Jacqueline Frazier-Lyde—the daughter of Joe Frazier, one of Muhammad Ali’s greatest rivals.

Championship Glory

The year 2002 became a defining chapter in Laila Ali’s career.

In June of that year, she defeated Suzy Taylor at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas to capture the IBA Super Middleweight Championship. It was her first world title and a proud moment for the Ali family.

Later that year, Laila delivered one of the finest performances of her career against the tough Valerie Mahfood. Dominating the contest from start to finish, she forced referee Joe Cortez to stop the bout in the eighth round.

The victory earned her both the WIBA and IWBF Super Middleweight Championships and firmly established her as one of the leading female fighters in the world.

Over the years, Laila continued to dominate her competition and eventually retired undefeated with a professional record of 24 victories, 0 defeats, and 21 knockouts.

What Was the Secret Behind Laila Ali’s Amazing Boxing Career?

Several factors contributed to Laila Ali’s extraordinary success:

1. Unwavering Self-Belief

Growing up as Muhammad Ali’s daughter brought enormous pressure and expectations. Rather than being intimidated, Laila embraced the challenge and believed she could create her own identity in boxing.

2. Exceptional Physical Attributes

Standing nearly 5-foot-10 with natural athleticism, speed, strength, and balance, Laila possessed physical gifts that gave her advantages over many opponents.

3. Disciplined Work Ethic

Behind her glamour and celebrity status was an athlete committed to training. Coaches consistently praised her dedication, discipline, and willingness to learn.

4. Powerful Punching Ability

Unlike many female boxers of her era, Laila possessed genuine knockout power. Her ability to finish fights made her one of the most exciting attractions in women’s boxing.

5. Mental Toughness

Perhaps her greatest weapon was her mindset. Laila entered every contest with supreme confidence and a determination to dominate.

Was Laila Ali the Greatest Female Boxer in Boxing History?

This question continues to spark passionate debate among boxing historians and fans.

Laila Ali unquestionably belongs among the greatest female fighters of all time. Her undefeated record, multiple world championships, star power, and role in bringing greater attention to women’s boxing make her one of the sport’s most influential figures.

However, determining whether she is the greatest ever remains subjective.

Many historians point to pioneers such as Christy Martin, Lucia Rijker, Ann Wolfe, and modern legends like Claressa Shields as competitors in the discussion.

What cannot be disputed is that Laila Ali became the most recognizable female boxer of her generation and inspired countless women to pursue careers in boxing.

Expert and Historian Remarks

Bert Sugar (Legendary Boxing Historian):

“Laila Ali proved she was more than a famous last name. She became a champion in her own right.”

Thomas Hauser (Boxing Author and Historian):

“The expectations placed upon Laila were enormous. Few athletes in any sport have had to carry such a burden and succeed.”

Claressa Shields (Multiple-Time World Champion):

“Laila helped open doors and bring attention to women’s boxing. Every generation builds on the work of those who came before.”

Memorable Laila Ali Quote

“I wasn’t trying to be Muhammad Ali. I wanted to be the best Laila Ali I could be.”

Legacy and Inspiration

Laila Ali’s legacy extends far beyond championships and undefeated records.

She became a role model for women worldwide, demonstrating that success comes from courage, discipline, and belief in oneself. She proved that a person’s starting point does not determine their destination.

From managing a nail salon to becoming an undefeated world champion, her journey remains one of the most inspiring stories in boxing history.

Summary

The story of Laila Ali is not simply about titles and victories. It is about ambition, determination, and the courage to pursue an unlikely dream.

As the daughter of Muhammad Ali, she inherited one of the most famous surnames in sports history. Yet through hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent, she transformed that inheritance into her own remarkable legacy.

Today, Laila Ali stands not only as the daughter of “The Greatest” but as one of the greatest female champions the sport has ever known.

Debate Questions

1. Was Laila Ali truly the greatest female boxer in boxing history?

2. How would prime Laila Ali have fared against modern champions like Claressa Shields?

3. Does Laila Ali’s undefeated record strengthen her claim as the greatest female boxer ever?

4. Who had the greater impact on women’s boxing: Laila Ali or Christy Martin?

5. Which victory was the defining performance of Laila Ali’s career?

@BrainBoxingSport