The Kenyan boxers have landed in Dubai with confidence and their warrior-like approach outside and in the ring
▪️Captain Boniface Mogunde and several other Kenyan boxers feel like they’re in Kenya’s Coastal city of Mombasa known for its humidity
3/12/2025
Kenyan boxers are coping up with ultra humid Dubai as they acclamatise each one of them aware that one fact is inescapable: they must climb through the ropes to represent their country in the 23rd edition of Men’s World Boxing Championships starting on Thursday at the open air Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
“It’s hot like Mombasa, we’re sweating all over,” Mogunde the reigning Africa light-middleweight champion told BFK Media’s Paparrazi Duncan Kuria aka Sugar Ray in an interview.
“We’re so lucky the tournament will now start on Thursday otherwise we would have had it rough if they started on Wednesday as planned,” said Mogunde, one of the Kenyans favoured to reach the semi-finals and beyond.
“This is a blessing in disguise I ask Kenyans to pray for us, God is our guide we will perform better than in 2023,” said a deeply religious Mogunde.
The same views were expressed by head coach Musa Benjamin, the longest-serving international in the team Shaffi Bakari, flyweight Kelvin Maina and Africa Zone 3 featherweight champion Philip Omondi .
“We arrived in Dubai safely at midnight on Tuesday to be met by this humid weather but we have time to do a bit of polishing before boxers take to the ring on Thursday otherwise we’re ready,” Musa who
has handled the national team since 2019 and therefore has all the tricks up his sleeve. Dubai is his third time in the World Championships as the head coach.
Kenya’s national team nicknamed Hit Squad boarding in Nairobi enroute to Dubai to battle for the $8.32 million total prize money at stake in the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships
“I thank Allah we arrived safely, the delay of the draw and start of the tournament has given us a chance to acclamatise to the hot weather but since I’m from Mombasa I feel at home I’m used to this hot weather,’ said Shaffi appearing in his fourth World Championships.
Despite taking part in the World Championships for the first time, Africa Military Games flyweight champion Kelvin “Young” Maina and Philip Omondi have maintained Kenya’s warrior-like approach.
“I’m okay just acclamatising to the humid weather but like I said earlier I’m not new in the world stage so there’s nothing to worry me,” said Maina.
“I was happy to fly for the first time and take snacks in the plane I really enjoyed it,” said Omondi who made his international debut in the Africa Zone 3 Championships in Nairobi.
“Mkono.ni mkono haijui dini ama rangi ya mtu ni kujipanga tu kwa ring tutavunja watu hapa,” added a defiant Omondi saying once in the ring it’s the fists to do the talking and they don’t even know the colour or religion of your opponent.
Kenya will be represented by 13 boxers in the Dubai show eight of them making their debut in the World Championships which has a total of $8.32 million at stake as prize money, making it the richest ever boxing tournament.
There’s $300,000 for gold medallists, silver medallists $150,000, bronze medallists $75,000 and quarter-finalists $10,000.
IBA President Umar Kremlev (left) and Secretary General & CEO Chris Roberts OBE are on top of their game in the ongoing transformation of amateur boxing as they focus more on commercialisation of the sport to empower the boxers financially moving away from the tired medals bracket mentality
▪️Boxers’ mindset is now changing as their focus in Dubai is not on the usual medals but making it in the money bracket from the quarters to the finals
▪️President Umar Kremlev has transformed IBA into an enterprising organisation that can as well transition into a company
02/12/2025
The richest ever boxing tournament on earth – IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships – got underway on Tuesday December 2 in Dubai with a record-breaking prize money of $8.32 million at stake.
It started with the opening ceremony at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium featuring all the razzmatazz associated with prestigious showbiz events.
This rich tournament also reflects the Golden Era initiative announced in August, 2025, by IBA’s Secretary General & CEO Chris Roberts OBE during which he revealed a blueprint for boxing’s transformation citing a strategic renewal based on principles of sovereignty, inclusivity, and innovation, rather than a repetition of previous approaches.
Roberts was quoted in the IBA website reaffirming the IBA’s commitment to charting an independent course.
“This is about transformation. We are building a future where boxing is governed by its own values, not external politics,” said Roberts.
A Vision for Global Growth
At the heart of the organisational plan is a multi-tiered strategy to expand boxing’s global footprint. This includes:
▪️Forging new commercial partnerships that align with the IBA’s values and long-term vision.
▪️Leveraging digital innovation to engage new audiences and modernize the sport’s global presence.
▪️Launching a reimagined competition calendar that reflects both amateur and professional diversity, and dynamism of the boxing world.
▪️Supporting the IBA’s Foundation for Better Boxing, which will be dedicated to the welfare of athletes, both past and present.
Championing Transparency and Athlete Welfare
Roberts also underscored the IBA’s renewed focus on transparency, athlete welfare, and geopolitical independence.
“We are committed to creating a system where athletes are protected, heard, and empowered, regardless of where they come from,” he said.
Punching through Politics
While acknowledging the importance of the Olympic Games, Roberts made it clear that the IBA’s ambitions extend far beyond them.
“Boxing’s future is not confined to a single event. We are building a sovereign, sustainable ecosystem that thrives on its own terms.”
Kenya’s national team nicknamed Hit Squad boarding in Nairobi enroute to Dubai to battle for the $8.32 million total prize money at stake in the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships
IBA Golden Era Initiatives
As part of the IBA’s “Golden Era,” three key initiatives are being launched:
▪️The prestigious IBA Men’s Elite World Championships will feature an invitation of cross combination top amateur and professional boxers from around the world competing in high-stake bouts, the very first hybrid event of its kind.
▪️IBA Pro: A new professional boxing project moving on from ‘Champion’s Night’, designed to provide a platform for elite athletes to compete at the highest level while also having the ability in maintaining both amateur and professional status.
▪️IBA Bare Knuckle: An innovative and traditional form of boxing that aims to bring the raw and authentic essence of the sport to a global audience.
Regarding the IBA World Championships, the event promises to be a landmark moment for the sport, showcasing the best of amateur and professional boxing talent and innovation combined. Stars who have focused on a professional career will also be invited back to enhance a prestigious opportunity for wider competitive bouts.
“We will have big names for what is going to be an exciting competition, with many brilliant bouts between strong competitors. We are looking forward to enjoying it together with our boxing audience from around the world,” said Roberts.
As the organisation enters this new chapter, the IBA leadership signals a transformative era for the sport, one that embraces change, challenges convention, and redefines what it means to be a global boxing powerhouse.
Since his election in 2020, IBA President Umar Kremlev has changed the boxing landscape overcoming several hurdles to turn the IBA into one of the most successful and enterprising sports organisations in the world which can as well transition into a company
Needless to say IBA remains the mother and father of amateur boxing in the world, reflecting the strength of a baobab tree whose massive, deep-rooted structure exemplifies physical power and the ability to withstand storms.
One of Kremlev’s most significant contributions is the introduction of prize money for amateur boxers in the elite tournaments, coming at the right time in the era of commercialisation of sports.
The prize money has changed the lives of top boxers worldwide including Africa. Boxers such as world champions Khadija Mardi and Widad Bertal have made $100,000, a substantial figure by any standards. Among other African boxers who are beneficiaries of the prize money include Mozambique duo of Alcinda Dos Santos and Rady Gramane, and Zambia’s African Games flyweight champion Patrick Chinyemba.
Zambia’s Patrick Chinyemba in blue cap is one of the favourites for the top prize money of $300,000 in IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai
Meanwhile, the Technical Meeting and the Grand Opening Ceremony will take place on December 2 and the draw on December 3.
*DUBAI* 🚨🚨🚨 *IBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP* The technical meeting is currently underway. *The official draw* will be held tomorrow, 3 December 2024.
Competition period of the Championship is December 3-13 including a rest day on the 12th.
All the sessions until the title contests will start from 17:00 and 21:00 every day during the Championships, and the final will take place on the 13th from 17:00.
The boxers will compete in 13 categories from the minimumweight (48kg) up to the super heavyweight (+92kg) in Dubai.
Several of the titleholders from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have registered to defend their World thrones in the new edition.
IBA’s President Kremlev has invested huge amount of money to support the boxers, coaches and the National Federations.
The total prize money of the IBA Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships is 8.32 million US dollars and the best 104 boxers will earn this money in Dubai.
Winners of each weight category will get 300,000 USD, silver medallists 150,000 USD, the bronze medallists 75,000 USD and 10,000 USD for quarter-finalists
Each of the prizes will be shared between the boxers, coaches and the National Federations in order to support all of the participants. The boxers earn 50% of the prize money, 25% will go to the coaches and the remaining 25% to the National Federations.
Detailed schedule of the IBA Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships
December 2, 15:00
Technical Meeting
December 3, 16:00
Official Draw
Day 1 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 4, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 2 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium December 5, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 3 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 6, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 4 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 7, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 5 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 8, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 6 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 9, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 7 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 10, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 8 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 11, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 9 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 12
Photo Shooting of the finalists and Rest Day
December 13, 17:00
Day 10 competition with the finals
December 14
Departure of the delegations
Kenya’s national team nicknamed Hit Squad boarding in Nairobi enroute to Dubai to battle for the $8.32 million total prize money at stake in the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships
The sky is the limit for Kenyan trio of Wiseman Kavondo, Paul Omondi (centre) and on the right Caleb Wandera. Still freshers in the national team, the three are excited heading to Dubai in their maiden flight and taking part in the World Boxing Championships for the first time.
▪️Wandera, who’s from Busia County, is wondering whether he’ll be served his favourite dish ugali while airborne in his first time to be above the clouds
02/12/2025
Life will never be the same again for humble Caleb Wandera.
He came to Nairobi as a jobless boxer struggling to make a living in Nakuru doing odd jobs but he’s now Africa Zone 3 light-welterweight bronze medallist and he’s also a policeman. He has landed a job at the Kenya Police together with Kibra featherweight Paul Omondi and welterweight southpaw Wiseman Kavondo, a member of Kayole Rapid Boxing Club.
Wandera is definitely in cloud nine and thanks the Almighty for transforming his life in a short span of hardly more than two months since he shifted from Nakuru to Nairobi with the support of Boxing Federation of Kenya which took care of his rent at Umoja Estate. Assured of a monthly income as a cop, Wandera can now pay his own rent.
“I’m so happy and excited, it’s the first time I’m flying and to be at JKIA Airport,” Wandera told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview.
Caleb Wandera’s lifestyle has changed drastically since moving to Nairobi from Nakuru. He’s now a policeman, Africa Zone 3 bronze medallist and today he makes his maiden flight to Dubai to represent the national team for the first time in the World Boxing Championships.
Coincidentally, Omondi and Kavondo will also be enjoying their maiden flight as Kenya’s team of 13 boxers and six officials head to the glamorous city known for its eye-catching skyscrapers.
“Do they serve ugali in the plane, I was told they do,” Wandera asked me in our interview.
“There’s no ugali in the plane Wandera, only light food,” I told him.
“Waaaa! How will I survive now I’m told it takes five hours to Dubai,” wondered Wandera genuinely concerned on his first ever flight.
Wandera curved a niche in the boxing world at Flamingo Boxing Club in Nakuru, Kenya’s fourth largest city. He rose to prominence with two knockout victories over KDF’s Pius Macharia in Embu and Nakuru.
After Wandera’s points win over Wiseman Kavondo in the third leg of the 2025 Kenya National Boxing League in Nakuru, national team head coach Musa Benjamin called him up with Kavondo in Kenya’s team for the Africa Zone 3 Championships. Wandera won a bronze medal following a points defeat to DR Congo’s Ndjibu Ndjibu in the semi-finals. Moving to Nairobi was the turning point in Wandera’s life.
The going in Nakuru was not easy for the 24-year-old Wandera who has been washing cars and carrying loads of vegetables to eke out a living.
“Life outside the ring was not easy for me, I had to do all sorts of jobs to earn a living,” recalls Wandera but now all that is history.
He is fully employed by the Kenya Police assured of a consistent monthly income.
Wandera’s achievement has brought joy and a sigh of relief to his siblings and single mother following the death of his father this year.
“I’m the first born in a family of two girls and three boys, Without a father I’m now the bread winner, I’m happy I have a job,” says Wandera who completed his high school education in 2017 at Malaga Mixed Secondary School in Busia County, relocating to Nakuru in 2019 in search of greener pastures. He first got involved in taekwondo before switching to boxing in 2022 on realising taekwondo had more expenses he could not afford.
Welterweight Wiseman Kavondo, a product of coach Kenneth “Valdez” Ochieng, is equally excited killing two birds with one stone: making his maiden flight and taking part in the World Championships for the first time.
“I feel nice travelling out of my country to showcase my talent,” says Kavondo, “I’m not scared of anything in my first flight because I’m travelling with senior boxers who will guide me.” .
The 22-year-old Kavondo travelled out of Kenya for the first time to Gulu in Uganda with his club, Kayole Rapid, this year.. He lost on points to Africa Military Games light-welterweight champion Innocent Amoko of Uganda.
Kavondo started boxing in 2021 at Kayole Rapid while in form two at St Paul’s Boys High School in Maragua in Central Kenya Region.
The trio of Kavondo, Wandera and Omondi made their international debut in the Africa Zone 3 Championships in Nairobi all of them winning bronze medals.
Pitted against Cameroon’s more experienced Oumarou Mouhamed, Kavondo caused a major upset defeating the fancied visitor on points to move to the semi-finals. He was eliminated by DR Congo’s Kabengela Ntumba with featherweight Paul Ouma also winning bronze after losing to the eventual gold medallist Kassim Murungi of Uganda in the semi-finals.
In addition to Wandera, Murungi and Omondi, other five boxers in the 13-man team making their debut in the World Championships are Africa Zone 3 minimumweight champion Silus Onyango, Africa Military Games flyweight champion Kelvin “Young” Maina, lightweight Washington Odhiambo, cruiserweight Chris Ochanda and Africa super-heavyweight silver medallist Clinton Macharia who made an impressive international debut in the 2024 Africa Elite Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo.
Kelvin Maina and Washington Wandera are however not new to top-flight boxing having represented KDF in various international tournaments including the 2021 World Military Championships in Moscow, Russia.
“I’m very ready for this challenge to me its not like the first one because I was in Moscow 2021 in the World Military Championships,” says Maina, adding: “Some of my opponents in Moscow are the same ones l’ll meet in Dubai so I’m ready for anyone whom the draw will place me against. I have trained well and I believe in myself I’m a world champion prospect. So I urge all my fans to wait for the good news. I’m focused on the attractive prize money at stake, I’ll conquer the world in Dubai.”
Maina is not worried by big names in the flyweight division such as the defending champion and Paris Olympic gold medallist Hasanboy Dusmatov of Uzbekistan and Zambia’s Paris Olympic Games quarter-finalist as well as African Games champion Patrick “Baddo” Chinyemba.
“I’m not shaken at all, I have watched both of them in past competitions and the last Olympics, all l can say I’m skillfull to face them and bring back a medal. I will up my game in Dubai because I have what it takes to compete at that level and winning a gold medal is very much possible.”
Africa bronze medallist Shaffi Bakari is taking part in the World Boxing Championships for the fourth time. He’s the longest-serving member in Kenya’s national boxing team having made his debut at the 2017 African Championships in Congo Brazzaville
The longest-serving members in the Kenya team are captain Boniface “The Hammer” Mogunde, bantamweight Shaffi Bakari and African Games middleweight champion Edwin Okong’o who made his international debut at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Mogunde’s debut was at the 2019 African Games and Shaffi in the 2017 Africa Elite Championships in Congo Brazzaville.
“I’ve seen it all, I have trained well and I’m in the best shape ever to face any opponent on earth, with God ahead of me nothing is impossible,” says the reigning Africa light-middleweight champion Mogunde appearing in the World Championships for the third time.
On his part Shaffi is calm as usual praying to Allah to open the way and fight for him in Dubai. It’s his fourth World Championships having first taken part in this global event in 2017 in Hamburg, Germany.
“I have all the experience, faced tough opponents, I’m fit because we’ve been training throughout the season. For now let’s hope for the best in Dubai,” says Shaffi.
Tough guys…from left African Games middleweight champion Edwin Okong’o, Africa light-middleweight champion Boniface Mogunde and Africa Zone 3 heavyweight silver medallist Peter Abuti
Twice Africa light-heavyweight bronze medallist Robert Okaka aka Man Man Ngori and Africa Zone 3 heavyweight silver medallist Peter “The Beast” Abuti are taking part in the World Championships for the second time. They are capable of making it to the money and medal bracket though Abuti was not at his best in the Zone 3 Championships but he’s capable of rising to the occasion if he gets his usual rhythm in the ring.
Boxing Federation of Kenya Secretary-General David Munuhe told boxersworld.co.ke they will depart for Dubai today in the evening. Before departure, the boxers will be treated to a heavy sumptuous lunch by BFK at the Chel-C Hotel known for serving tasty fresh fish or kamfishero if you like to the insiders.
Kenya’s 19-man delegation to Men’s World Boxing Championships:
Minimumweight: Silas Onyango
Flyweight:Kelvin Maina
Bantamweight: Shaffi Bakari
Featherweight: Paul Omondi
Lightweight:Washington Wandera
Light-welterweight: Caleb Wandera
Welterweight: Wiseman Kavondo
Light-middleweight: Boniface Mogunde (captain)
Middleweight: Edwin Okong’o
Light-heavyweight: Robert Okaka
Cruiserweight: Chrispin Ochanda
Heavyweight: Peter Abuti
Super-heavyweight: Clinton Macharia
Head coach: Musa Benjamin
Deputy head coach: David Munuhe
Trainer: John Waweru
Head of delegation: Anthony Otieno Ombok
Communication Director: Duncan Kuria
Physio: Sospeter Kinuthia
Kenya’s national boxing jets out this evening for Dubai to represent the country in the World Boxing Championships starting today with the opening ceremony
Botswana’s three-man team for the World Championships arrived in Dubai on Sunday morning.
The boxers have settled in well and are gearing up for the biggest challenge of the year.
Like most African countries, Botswana have yet to win a medal in the World Boxing Championships dominated by Cuba, USA, Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.
🇧🇼 The three boxers in Dubai:
• Katlego Keorapetse – 54kg, Titans Boxing Club
• Modise Ribbin – 52kg, Prisons Boxing Club
• Kobamelo Molatlhegi – 49kg, DTCB Boxing Club
Technical Team:
• Head Coach: Choga Ntoti – Francistown Boxing Club
• Assistant Coach: Gibson Rauwe – Prisons Boxing Club
▪️Global boxing icon Roy Jones Jr will be in the mix with a special performance created for the championships
1/12/2025
On December2, the Opening Ceremony of the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships will ignite the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium — and this is one night you will remember.
Headlining the show is the legendary Roy Jones Jr. A global boxing icon, he will step onto the stage with a one-of-a-kind performance created especially for this championships.
We’re also bringing a powerful and exceptional musical performance of Benedetta Caretta, the Italian vocal sensation whose voice and presence will take the audience to another level.
What to expect:
• a spectacular world-class production
• electrifying performances from international stars
• the atmosphere of a true global championships
• thousands of fans, lights, emotion – one unforgettable night
Rwanda's delegation of five boxers and four officials has landed in Dubai for the World Boxing Championships starting on December 2, 2025. Pictured here anti-clockwise from left is Rwanda Boxing Federation President Bashir Ntwari, team manager Emma, Havyarimana Abdul, Iranezeza Aime, Pacifique Niyonzima and coach Jean Claude Gatorano
▪️The five-man Rwanda team in Dubai includes one bronze medallist at the Africa Zone 3 tournament in Nairobi
30/11/2025
Energised by their fine show in the Africa Zone 3 Championships in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi, Rwanda have decided to dive into the deep end of the pool.
Five boxers are already in Dubai to make their debut in the 23rd edition of the IBA $8.32 million Men’s World Championships from December 2-13, ,2025.
Rwanda Boxing Federation President Bashir Ntwari told boxersworld.co.ke they have thrown caution to the wind and decided to enter Dubai Worlds.
“We had to do it for the boys to get the necessary experience irrespective of the results,” said Ntwari, adding: “We know the competition is tough here but we have everything to gain in Dubai.”
From right to left is team manager Asmin Emma, Iranezeza Aime, Havyarimana Abdul, Mugenga Innocent and Rwanda Boxing Federation President Bashir Ntwari
The five boxers include one bronze medallist in the Africa Zone 3 Championships held in October in Nairobi, bantamweight Iranezeza Aime. Flyweight Ntabanganyimana Valentin and welterweight Niyonzima Pacifique were also in Nairobi but lost in the quarter-finals.
In addition to the aforementioned three boxers, others in Dubai making their international debut are featherweight Havyarimana Abdul and middleweight Mugenga Innocent who defeated Patrick Ndayishimiye in the Kigali Fight Night this month, November, 2025. The latter was in Nairobi for the Zone 3 tournament. Havyarimana impressed the selectors following his impressive points victory over Zone 3 bronze medallist Iranezeza Aime in the Kigali Fight Night at featherweight. The other bronze medallist in Nairobi, lightweight Murenzi Hassan, was left behind due to budgetary constraints. Hassan and Valentin won their fights in the Kigali Fight Night. Rwanda was represented by six boxers in Nairobi, making a comeback to big-time boxing after being out of international tournaments for seven years to reorganise themselves.
The other officials in Dubai are team manager Asmin Emma who is the 1st Vice President of Rwanda Boxing Federation, coach and former international Jean Claude Gatorano and Fabrice Ntwali, the 2nd Vice President (technical) with vast experience in combat sports including boxing.
Rwanda’s trip to Dubai was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Sports and the International Boxing Association (IBA) through their Financial Support Program (FSP).
Under the new leadership of Bashir Ntwari, the Rwanda Boxing Federation has embarked on a transformative journey aimed at redefining boxing in the country.
From right to left President Bashir Ntwari, Pacifique Niyonzima, Ntabanganyimana Valentin and coach Jean Claude Gatorano.
The administration has prioritized technical skill development, increased participation in both local and international competitions band strengthened collaboration with key stakeholders, the Ministry of Sports, Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) and IBA.
This strategic approach has already begun to yield tangible progress. Rwanda recently participated in the Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championship held in Nairobi, Kenya, from October 15th to 25th, 2025. The event served as a crucial stepping stone for Rwanda’s boxers as they prepared for high-level competition and the upcoming world championship in Dubai.
“We would like to commend the Boxing Federation of Kenya for organizing the Zone 3 event and for their support throughout our stay in Nairobi. This competition enabled our boxers to gain valuable experience, and they have improved tremendously since then,” said Deograstias Wasswa, Secretary General of the Rwanda Boxing Federation.
Africa Zone 3 bantamweight bronze medallist Iranezeza Aime
“Our boxers have been training hard and have remained focused. The federation has also organized continuous events like the Kigali Fight Night which was highly competitive with participation of professional and amateur boxers from various countries. These initiatives were aimed at sharpening our boxers ahead of the Men’s World Boxing Championship in Dubai.”
As Rwanda continues to elevate its presence in international boxing, the Dubai World Championship marks another significant milestone in the federation’s efforts to build a stronger, more competitive national boxing team.
▪️ So far only six African countries have won medals in the men’s world boxing championships
30/11/2025
Let’s not bury our heads in the sand and remember that it’s 10 years now Africa has not won gold in Men’s World Boxing Championships since Morocco’s Mohammed Rabii (pictured) did it in 2015.
It’s also eight years now no boxer from Africa has won a medal in Men’s World Championships. Cameroon’s Australia-based Fokou Fosso is the last African boxer to win a medal – a bronze – in Men’s Boxing Worlds in 2017.
And so far only six African countries have won medals in this global event. They are Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana and Cameroon.
Olympic bronze medallist David Pina leads the five-man Cape Verde team to Dubai
▪️Olympic bronze medallist David Pina leads the five-man team to Dubai
November 29, 2025
Cape Verde will be represented by five boxers in the World Boxing Championships from December 2-13 in Dubai.
The five boxers have been selected by the IBA, in a delegation that includes two coaches and a manager, the federation announced.
Cape Verdean delegation includes boxers Lenik Fernandes (51 kg), David Pina, bronze medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (54 kg), Elizandro Silva (57 kg), Admilson Carvalho (63 kg) and Israel Nzeuwi (86 kg), chosen directly by the International Boxing Association (IBA) based on the minimum number of official fights required.
The president of the Cape Verdean Boxing Federation (FCB), Manuel Monteiro, explained to Inforpress that the criterion was exclusively technical.
“Selection was made by the IBA, based on the fight record. The minimum was twenty fights per athlete,” he indicated.
Olympic bronze medallist David Pina leads the five-man Cape Verde team to Dubai
According to the official, the IBA covered most of the participation expenses, with complementary support from the Institute of Sport and Youth (IDJ), ensuring that participation occurs as far as possible given the available resources.
Monteiro stated that the main objective is “to achieve positive results,” emphasizing that the selected boxers have international experience and a relevant competitive history.
He also recalled Cape Verde’s trajectory in the sport, highlighting recent achievements in African and sub-regional competitions.
The official also considered that the country has demonstrated the capacity to compete at the highest level, given previous participation in the Olympic Games, African championships, and Zone II tournaments, as well as medals obtained in Sierra Leone and Senegal.
For the federation president, the presence in the World Dubai can boost national interest in boxing and reinforce the recognition of the sport.
“I hope that this participation will awaken the attention of young people, authorities, and private entities to support boxing and allow boxing to cease being the poor relation of Cape Verdean sport,” he reiterated.
Monteiro said there’s still need for a permanent national coach capable of monitoring athletes on the islands, organizing training camps, and strengthening technical development throughout the country.
Kenya's national novices and intermediate light-welterweight champion Sonia Atieno is a hot medal prospect in Angola
▪️Kenya will be represented by five boxers in Angola with four of them from Kibera Youth Club
29/11/2025
Excitement is written all over their faces as five Kenyan boxers can’t wait to make their maiden international appearance in the 4th African Youth Games scheduled for December 10-20, 2025, in Luanda, Angola.
Sensational national novices and intermediate light-welterweight champion Sonia Atieno is the star of the team comprising three girls and two boys.
The 17-year-old Atieno, a member of Korumba Boxing Club in Nyalenda in Kisumu, has taken Kenya’s boxing scene by storm beating older opponents than her to clinch the national novices and intermediate light-welterweight title.
BFK Secretary-General David Munuhe to manage the Kenya team
This is her second time to travel out of the country for an international assignment. She was in the Kenya team that participated in the inaugural African School Games in Algeria this year but she didn’t enter the ring because she had no opponent.
“This time I hope she’ll get an opponent and win a gold medal, I’m very proud of my daughter she’s the pride of Nyalenda and Kisumu in general,” Atieno’s mother Pauline Auma told boxersworld.co.ke in a telephone interview from Kisumu.
The other four members of the team – all of them from Kibera Youth Club – are minimumweight Anastasia Mutindi, flyweight Ellah Demesi, bantamweight Clinton Omondi who is the captain and featherweight Felix Ochieng.
Nairobi County head coach John Ochieng aka Chea is the coach of the Angola-bound team. He also handles his own club, Githurai Thailand. Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) Secretary-General David Munuhe is the team manager.
“We’ve been training together with the national senior team going to Dubai for the World Championships at Mathare Depot,” said Ochieng expressing confidence of positive results in Angola.
“The preparation is top notch and we hope that something good is going to come from the team.”
The 4th African Youth Games will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence.
This major continental multi-sport event will bring together up to 54 African nations and young athletes aged 14 to 17 in approximately 33 sports disciplines across six host cities, including Luanda, Benguela, and Bengo.
The Games aim to promote sport, discover and develop talents for competitions such as the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (for which they will serve as qualifiers), and to foster integration and cultural exchanges among African countries. The logo and mascot, the “Galinha d’Angola”, have been officially approved by ANOCA, highlighting Angola’s commitment and its validated infrastructure for an unforgettable event.
