WHO WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH IN KENYA VS DRC BATTLE WITH SIX FEMALE BOUTS HOLDING THE KEY TO THE EVENTUAL WINNERS

▪️Six female bouts featuring Kenya against DR Congo boxers will be crucial in deciding the overall winners of the 2025 Africa Zone 3 Championships in today’s tension-charged and exciting finals at Kasarani Gym from 1pm

A battle royale is in the offing between Kenya and DR Congo boxers in today’s exciting Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships finals at Kasarani Gym in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi. Action starts at 1pm.

DR Congo boxers’ morale has been boosted with the arrival of the Congolese Boxing Federation President General Ferdinand Luyoyo who has sounded a warning to the Kenyans: “We will beat them again at home.”

DR Congo have 17 boxers – nine women and eight men – in the finals with Kenya parading 16 boxers – eight male and eight females, Uganda nine, Tanzania five, Cameroon two and Ethiopia one.

The Central Africans are the defending champions having retained the Zone 3 title in 2022 in Kinshasa with 13 gold, 13 silver and 12 bronze medals amid complaints from the visiting countries which accused the hosts of forcefully winning the zonal event through dubious officiating.

Kenya finished as  runners-up with six gold, five silver and seven bronze medals followed by Cameroon, guest team Mauritius, Congo Brazzaville and Equatorial Guinea in the sixth place.

The 25-bout card with 13 male fights and 12 female boxers has all the ingredients of an explosive showdown.

Six female bouts involving Kenya against DR Congo boxers hold the key to the eventual winners of today’s highly charged finals.

The bouts involve flyweight Faith “Fekete” Nafuna vs Nyembo Gisele, lightweight Emily “Ring Princess” Juma vs Munga Zalia, light-welterweight Cynthia Mwai vs Mbalayi Mbamba, light-middleweight Friza “Smiling Assasin” Asiko vs Muleketsi Nsii, middleweight Liz “Mkono Chuma” Andiego vs Mwamba Lulua and light-heavyweight Lorna “Mambo Mbaya” Kusa vs Malewu Tekasala.

Kenya’s Faith Nafuna will rise to instant fame if she defeats Africa champion Nyembo Gisele, a pressure fighter who is a punching machine. She does not give her opponents time to breathe with her non-stop two-fisted flurries. It will be safe for her to box the DR Congo boxer and avoid falling into the trap of fighting Gisele who besides the gold she won in Kinshasa in 2024, also clinched a silver in the 2023 Africa Championships. The Kenyan boxer made her international debut in the 2024 Africa Championships in Kinshasa.

Stylish lightweight Emily “Ring Princess” Juma is representing the national team for the second time having made her debut in this year’s World Championships in Serbia. She’s fighting a stubborn and stronger opponent in Munga Zalia, a silver medallist in the Africa Championships.

While the Kenyan is a smart boxer, she will be compelled to show more fire and hunger to win by carrying the fight to the DR Congo boxer.

Like Emily, light-welterweight Cynthia Mwai made her debut in the Serbia Worlds. She’s riding high following an upset 5-0 points victory over Uganda’s Africa Military Games champion Erina Namutebi in the semi-finals.

Against DR Congo’s champion Mbalayi Mbamba, Cynthia faces formidable opposition but she’s capable of carrying the day with a good game plan. She should avoid her habit of dropping her left hand and be rock steady in her defence.

Africa Military Games champion Friza “Smiling Assasin” Asiko is a sure bet for victory against newcomer Muleketsi Nsii in the light-middleweight division. So is captain Liz Andiego, the face of female boxing in East Africa. Andiego takes on greenhorn Mwamba Lulua in the middleweight final and she’s likely to win the bout inside the distance.

At light-heavyweight, Lorna Kusa will not have it easy against the 2023 Africa champion Malewu Tekasala. Both are however equally matched with a wealth of experience. Kusa and Andiego are the longest-serving members in Kenya’s national team. They both made their debuts in 2010 in the World Championships in Barbados. Tekasala has been fighting since 2010 and was inspired by Mike Tyson to take up boxing.

Kenya has already won gold even before the finals start at 1pm today. The men’s light-middleweight is an all-Kenyan affair with Africa champion Boniface “The Hammer” Mogunde taking on Alvin “Liwalo Liwe” Oduor relying on omena power to carry the day. The two have met once with Mogunde outpointing Oduor, the KDF soldier banking on the rich protein from omena fish to overcome Mogunde. He says he has been eating the delicacy since he was born and can’t do without it since it is now part of his life.

Uganda, Kenya’s rivals in the ring since the 1950s, have accounted well for themselves with skillful boxing from some of their boxers in particular captain Kasim Murungi, a bronze medallist in the African Games in Accra. The Ugandans have nine boxers in the finals.

Murungi has a date against stubborn and hard hitting Kenyan, Mwinyi “Giant Killer” Kombo in one of the highlights of the day.

Sensational female featherweight Fatuma “The Thunder” Nabikolo is confident of victory against Phoba Kerene. A bronze medallist at the 2024 Mandela African Boxing Cup Championships, Fatuma is now punching harder since moving up to featherweight from bantamweight.

“I watched my opponent in the semi-finals, I know how to contain her she’s not a threat at all,” Fatuma told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview. She received a bye to the finals.

Tanzania has five boxers in the finals with captain Yusuf Changalawe, bantamweight Zulfa Macho and lightweight Ezra Paul among their favourites.

Changalawe battles Kenya’s Humphrey “Jakababa” Ochieng, Zulfa will have it rough against Kenya’s big-punching Amina Martha, a bronze medallist in the African Games in Accra. The Kenyan is a no-nonsense fighter in the ring always carrying the battle to her opponents. A visit to the canvas cannot be ruled out for the Tanzanian boxer. Ezra Paul meets DR Congo’s Kitangila Mweba.

Cameroon has two boxers in the finals, Africa flyweight bronze medallist Issouhou Mouhaman and tallman Serge Mvogo, a gold medallist at the 2023 Africa Championships in Yaounde. Mouhaman meets Kenya’s promising debutant Diouf “Bashday” Muimi while Mvogo fights DR Congo’s Mukwasa Emo at super-heavyweight.

Ethiopia’s lone finalist Fetan Kele will fight DR Congo’s Africa minimumweight champion Diyoka Benedicte.

This year’s Africa Zone 3 Championships attracted 123 boxers from nine countries namely Kenya, DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville and Rwanda.

Photos and photo design by Duncan Kuria aka Sugar Ray

KENYA WINS GOLD EVEN BEFORE THE FINALS FIRST BELL ON FRIDAY WITH DRC THE MAIN THREAT
▪️ The defending champions have 17 boxers in the finals, Kenya 16, Uganda 9, Tanzania 5, Cameroon 2 and Ethiopia one as the Africa Zone 3 boxing tournament enters the climax_
▪️ Finals start at 1pm on Friday at Kasarani Gym with 25 bouts on the card

The wheat has sorted out itself from the chaff with Kenya and DR Congo all set for a bruising battle in the finals of the Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships on Friday, October 24, at Kasarani Gym from 1pm

DR Congo made no secret on their intention to win the Zone 3 title for the third time in a row by entering 17 boxers – eight men and nine women – in the finals while Kenya breathing down their neck have 16 finalists – eight men and women apiece. Uganda have nine, Tanzania five, Cameroon two and Ethiopia one.

The nine male DR Congo finalists in the finals and their opponents are:

Men

Minimumweight: Mayala Tsimba vs Kenya’s Silus Onyango

Bantamweight: Kalongo Bakora vs Uganda’s Ochien Samuel

Lightweight: Kitangila Mweba vs Tanzania’s Ezra Paul,

Light-welterweight: Njibu Njibu vs Uganda’s Maniloba Farahat

Welterweight: Kabengela Ntumba vs Uganda’s Edward Mukwaya

Middleweight: Kinda Wetu vs Uganda’s Ojok Alfred

Cruiserweight: Matete Kankonde vs Kenya’s Chris Ochanda

Super-heavyweight: Mukwasa Emo vs Cameroon’s Zacharie Mvogo

Women

Minimumweight: Diyoka Benedicte vs Ethiopia’s Fetan Kele

Flyweight: Nyembo Gisele vs Kenya’s Faith “Fekete” Nafuna

Featherweight: Phone Kerene vs Uganda’s Fatuma “The Thunder” Nabikolo

Lightweight: Munga Zalia vs Kenya’s Emily Juma

Light-welterweight: Mbalay Mbamba vs Cynthia Mwai

Light-middleweight: Muleketsi Nsii vs Kenya’s Friza Asiko

Middleweight: Mwamba Lulua vs Kenya’s Liz Andiego

Light-heavyweight: Malewu Tekasala vs Kenya’s Lorna Kusa

Heavyweight: Tshimwanga Kande vs Tanzania’s Veronica Ebron

DR Congo’s bronze medallists: light-heavyweight Nlandu Mbeli, Mbangi Mukiewa, bantamweight Bisambu Bawo and welterweight Lusamba Mbayo

Kenya is assured of one gold already even brfore the start of the finals with deputy captain Boniface “The Hammer” Mogunde taking on compariot Alvin “Liwalo Liwe” Oduor in an all-Kenyan final in the light-middleweight division.

The Kenyans will be represented by 16 boxers in the finals – eight men and women apiece.

Men

Minimumweight: Silus Onyango

Flyweight: Diouf “Bashday” Muimi vs Cameroon’s Issouhou Mouhaman

Featherweight: Mwinyi Kombo vs Uganda’s Kasim Murungi

Light-middleweight: An all-Kenyan affair with Boniface Mogunde vs Alvin Oduor

Cruiserweight: Chris Ochanda vs DR Congo’s Matete Kankonde

Light-heavyweight: Humphrey “Jakababa” Ochieng vs Tanzania’s Yusuf Changalawe

Heavyweight: Peter “The Beast” Abuti vs Uganda’s Abdul Aziz

Women

Light-flyweight: Veronica Mbithe vs Uganda’s Brenda Muduwa

Flyweight:
Faith “Fekete” Nafuna

Bantamweight: Amina Martha Faki vs Tanzania’s Zulfa Macho

Lightweight: Emily “Ring Princess” Juma

Light-welterweight: Cynthia Mwai

Light-middleweight: Friza “Smiling Assasin”
Asiko

Middleweight: Liz Andiego

Light-heavyweight: Lorna Kusa

Kenya’s bronze medallists: Minimumweight Abednego Kyalo, featherweight Paul Omondi, light-weight Caleb Wandera, welterweight Wiseman Kavondo, middleweight Edwin Okong’o and super-heavyweight Clinton Macharia, minimumweight Jane Wangare and light-flyweight Lencer Akinyi

Uganda have nine boxers in the finals:

Men

Bantamweight: Ochien Samuel

Featherweight: Kasim Murungi

Welterweight: Edward Mukwaya

Middleweight: Ojok Alfred

Heavyweight:  Abdul Aziz

Uganda’s bronze medallists are flyweight Angel Katushabe, Erina Namutebi, flyweight Matovu Livingstone, lightweight Adriko Jimmy, light-middleweight Kanabi Alex and super-heavyweight Tabula Emmanuel

Tanzania will be represented by five boxers in the finals.

Men

Lightweight: Ezra Paul

Light-heavyweight: Yusuf Changalawe

Women

Bantamweight: Zulfa Macho

Welterweight: Salma Yahya vs Uganda’s Emily Nakalema

Heavyweight: Veronica Ebron

Tanzania’s nine bronze medallists: minimumweight Martha Kimaro, flyweight Sarafina James, featherweight Zawadi Amos Kutaka, lightweight Vumilia Twalibu, middleweight Salma Changalawe, light-heavyweight Rachel Msengi, flyweight Azizi Waziri, bantamweight Faki Issa Fake and light-middleweight Kasim Mbundwike.

DR CONGO LAND 14 IN FINALS, KENYA 7, UGANDA 5 AND TANZANIA 3

▪️ More boxers will qualify for the finals in today’s tension-charged semi-finals with Kenya having 13 boxers, Tanzania 8, Uganda 7, DR Congo 6, Cameroon, Gabon and Ethiopia two each

Defending champions DR Congo have taken an early lead landing 14 boxers – seven male and female apiece – in the finals of the Africa Zone 3 Championships which enter the penultimate stage in today’s 20 semi-final bouts at the Kasarani Gym, Nairobi.

The 14 DR Congo boxers in the finals are:

Men

Minimumweight: Mayala Tsimba

Bantamweight: Kalongo Bakora

Lightweight: Kitangila Mweba

Welterweight: Kabengela Ntumba

Middleweight: Kinda Wetu

Cruiserweight: Matete Kankonde

Super-heavyweight: Emo Mukwasa

Women

Minimumweight: Diyoka Benedicte

Flyweight: Nyembo Gisele

Featherweight: Phoba Kerene

Light-middleweight: Muleketsi Nsii

Middleweight: Mwamba Lulua

Light-heavyweight: Malewa Tekasala

Heavyweight: Tshimwanga Kande

Today, DR Congo has six boxers in the semi-finals:

female bantamweight: Bisambu Bawo, female light-welterweight Mbalayi Mbamba, heavyweight Mbangi Mukiewa, female featherweight Zalia Munga, light-welterweight Njibu Njibu and light-heavyweight Nlandu Mbeli.

The six Kenyan boxers in the finals so far:

Minimumweight: Silus Onyango

Flyweight: Faith “Fekete” Nafula

Lightweight: Emily “Ring Princess” Juma

Light-middleweight: Friza “Smiling Assasin” Asiko

Middleweight: Liz Andiego

Cruiserweight: Chris Ochanda

The five Ugandan boxers in the finals:

Featherweight: Fatuma “The Thunder” Nabikolo

Bantamweight: Ochien Samuel

Welterweight: Emily Nakalema

Welterweight: Edward Mukwaya

Middleweight: Ojok Alfred

Tanzania’s three boxes in the finals:

Lightweight:Ezra Paul

Welterweight: Salma Yahya

Heavyweight: Veronica Ebron

In today’s semi-finals, Tanzania has eight boxers namely:

light-flyweight Aisha Idd Issa vs Uganda’s Brenda Muduwa bantamweight Zulfa Macho vs DRC’s Bisambo Bawo, light-middleweight Kasim Mbundwike vs Kenya’s Alvin Oduor, lightweight Vumilia Twalibu vs DRC’s Munga Zalia, light-heavyweight Rachel Msengi vs Kenya’s Lorna Kusa, flyweight Azizi Waziri vs Cameroon’s Issouhou Mouhaman, light-welterweight King Lucas vs Uganda’s Maniloba Falahat and Yusuf Changalawe vs Cameroon’s Fotouo Totap Jr.

Kenya’s has 13 boxers in the semi-finals today:

bantamweight Amina Martha vs Ethiopia’s Roman Assefa Abate, light-welterweight Cynthia Mwai vs Uganda’s Erina Namutebi, featherweight Paul Omondi vs Uganda’s Kasim Murungi, featherweight Mwinyi Kombo vs Ethiopia’s Fitwi Tumay, light-middleweight Boniface vs Uganda’s Kanabi Alex, light-middleweight Alvin Oduor vs Tanzania’s Kasim Mbundwike, heavyweight Peter Abuti vs Gabon’s Njinniu Moundat, light-flyweight Veronica Mbithe vs Lencer Akinyi in an all-Kenyan affair, light-heavyweight Lorna Kusa vs Tanzania’s Rachel Peter Msengi, Diouf Muimi vs Uganda’s Matovu Livingstone, light-welterweight Caleb Wandera vs DRC’s Njibu Njibu and heavyweight Humphrey Ochieng vs DRC’s Nlandu Mbeli.

The five Kenyan bronze medallists having lost their bouts in the semis on Tuesday, October 21: minimumweight Abednego Kyalo, middleweight Edwin Okong’o, super-heavyweight Clinton Macharia, minimumweight Jane Wangare and welterweight Wiseman Kavondo.

Uganda’s seven boxers in today’s semis:

light-flyweight Brenda Muduwa, flyweight Matovu Livingstone, featherweight Kasim Murungi, light-welterweight Manilola Farahat, heavyweight Abdul Aziz Ringo, light-middleweight Kanabi Alex and female light-welterweight Erina Namutebi.

Meanwhile Cameroon’s head coach Alain Didier Ngatcha and the President of the Rwanda Boxing Federation Bashir Ntwari have expressed their disappointment on what they have described as questionable officiating in some bouts involving their boxers.

Ngatcha was not amused by the third round stoppage of the cruiserweight bout involving his boxer, Baguiguana Georges against Kenya’s Chris Ochanda.

Says Ngatcha: “I am very disappointed by the officials and especially by the refereeing. There are important battles that should not be entrusted to trainees.

My boxer largely dominated the first 2 rounds and at the start of the third round after just one count he stopped the fight. Even though my boxer was no longer in difficulty. The stoppage was not justified.”

Ngatcha also wondered how his minimumweight Africa champion Wouang Martial lost to DR Congo’s Mayala Tsimba. The fight was stopped in the second round after Tsimba sustained a cut above his right eye, and was declared the winner because he was leading on points at the time the bout was stopped.

“In the Wouang fight,” says Ngatcha, “my boxer, with a clean and precise punch at the start of the first round injured his opponent. The doctor stopped the fight and we asked the judges to decide who was the winner? I think unless I am wrong or if the regulations have changed that it is from the second round that we apply this point of the regulations. And even, until then it was my boxer who dominated the fight.”

On his part, Ntwari says the 5-0 points loss of his bantamweight Iranezeza Aime to Uganda’s Ochien Samuel.

“We feel very let down and discouraged to participate in such events in the future,” says Ntwari, adding:”A little bad decision here and there is expected but to give our boy a 5-0 defeat after dominating his opponent is beyond disappointing. We thank them for the experience but we can’t participate in dubious events where the refeering decisions were the talk of the event rather than fantastic boxing.”

KENYA’S KAVONDO SHOCKS TOP CAMEROON BOXER AS SKILLFUL UGANDANS MAKE BIG STATEMENT

▪️A total overhaul in Kenya’s team is not an option following the heavy loss on opening day of Africa Zone 3 Championships

▪️Rwanda boxers put up an impressive show despite making their debut in the elite tournament while Cameroon’s coach Alain Didier Ngatcha says he’s satisfied with the results 

Newcomer Wiseman Kavondo was the silver lining for the hosts as Kenya suffered a heavy loss with skillful Ugandan boxers stealing the show on the opening day of the African Zone 3 Championships at the Kasarani Gym on Monday, October 20, 2025.

Showing scant respect for Cameroon’s highly regarded Oumarou Mouhamed, Kavondo gritted his teeth to score an upset 3-2 victory over Mouhamed. The southpaw Kavondo matched the Cameroon boxer punch for punch.

Soon after the first bell, he uncorked a powerful one-two punch that shook Oumarou for an eight count. The Cameroon boxer received another eight count in the third round as Kavondo stepped up pressure.

“I feel so happy for the victory it has given me more confidence to do better in my next fight,” a jovial Kavondo told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview.

The Kenyan boxer now takes on DR Congo’s Ntumba Kabengela in the semi-finals today.

“Truly the fight was close but the Kenyan won because he is at home,” said Cameroon’s head coach Alain Didier Ngatcha on Kavondo’s win.

“I’m satisfied with our performance. We won two fights and lost one.”

Ngatcha’s main hope for gold, Africa minimumweight champion Wouang Martial dominated Uganda’s Kato Ahmed Kazibwe on his way to a deserved victory.

Kavondo’s inspiring victory was the silver lining in the heavy loss the Kenyans suffered with 11 of the 20 boxers in action losing their fights including top international boxers Shaffi Bakari, Ethan Maina and Joseph Shigali.

Other casualties are flyweight Emmanuel Chondo who went down fighting, lightweight Washington Wandera, George Cosby, Diouf Muimi, Kelvin Maina, John Ogutu Aloice Vincent, Sheila Auma and Sylvia Obwamu.

In addition to Kavondo, the other Kenyan winners were Silus Onyango and Abednego Kyalo both in the minimumweight, African Games middleweight champion Edwin Okong’o, light-welterweight Cynthia Mwai, featherweight Mwinyi Kombo, light-welterweight, Caleb Wandera and Peter Abuti.

With this luckluster showing by the Kenyans, a total overhaul with an injection of new blood is inevitable for the future success of the team. Their boxing lacked firepower and hunger to win.

Big up to the Ugandans for their skillful performance displaying purposeful boxing punctuated by accurate punching and brilliant body shots before moving upstairs.

They used their feet well to control the distance outmanouvre opponents into disadvantageous positions to create angles for attack as witnessed in Kasim Murungi’s featherweight duel against DR Congo’s Badibanga Badianyama.

Tanzanian boxers had a fair share of success on the opening day. Out of eight boxers, four won their fights.

The Rwandan boxers returned to big-time boxing with a bang showing no ring rust despite being out of elite competition for seven years.

They showed resilience, perseverance, confidence and courage to take on any opponent under the sun.

Bantamweight Iranezeza Aime was the most impressive, outboxing experienced Kenya’s defending Zone 3 champion Shaffi Bakari enroute to a 3-1 points victory.

NINE WOMEN BOXERS LAND IN THE FINALS OF ZONE 3 TOURNEY

▪️ DR Congo lead with four pugilists in the finals, Kenya and Tanzania two each and Uganda one

Nine female boxers have qualified for the finals of the Africa Zone 3 Championships which started on Monday, October 20, at the Kasarani Gym in Nairobi.

The nine boxers made it to the finals without throwing a punch after the draws conducted on Saturday.

DR Congo leads with four boxers, 2023 Africa champion Malewu Tekasala in the light-heavyweight division, heavyweight Tshimwanga Kande, middleweight Mwamba Lulua and light-middleweight Muleketsi Nsii.

Kenya’s two boxers in the finals are lightweight Emily “Ring Princess” Juma and light-middleweight Friza “Smiling Assasin” Asiko, Tanzania’s welterweight Salma Yahya and heavyweight Veronica Ebron.

Uganda’s featherweight sensation Fatuma “The Thunder” Nabikolo is also in the finals and will meet the winner of the semi-final bout between DR Congo’s Kerene Phoba and Tanzania’s Zawadi Kutaka.

“I’m ready for anyone of them qualifying to meet me, I’m in Nairobi to win a gold medal,” a confident Nabikolo told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview.

The 22-year-old Nabikolo made her international debut in the 2024 Mandela Africa Boxing Cup Championships in Durban, South Africa where she won a bronze medal.

At lightweight Kenya’s boxer-puncher Emily Juma awaits the winner of the semi-final bout between DR Congo’s Zalia Munga and Tanzania’s Vumilia Twalibu.

Tanzania’s welterweight Salma Yahya will meet the winner of the semi-final between DR Congo’s Lusamba Mbayo and Uganda’s Africa Championships bronze medallist in 2023 Emily Nakalema. In the light-middleweight division, Kenya’s Friza Asiko aka Smiling Assasin and DR Congo’s Muleketi Nsii qualified directly to the final because they were the only entrants in the 66-70kg weight class.

At middleweight, DR Congo’s Mwamba Lulua battles either Kenya’s warhorse Liz Andiego or Tanzania’s Salma Changalawe both of whom clash in the semi-finals today, October 21.

Light-heavyweight Malewu Tekasala, now unbeaten in three fights as a professional, awaits the winner of semi-final clash between Kenya’s Lorna Kusa and Tanzania’s Rachel Peter Msengi. In the heavyweight class, Tanzania’s Veronica Ebron and DR Congo’s Tshimwanga Kande qualified directly to the finals since they’re the only ones entered in the +81kg weight class.

Kenya and Tanzania have eight female boxers each in the semi-finals, DR Congo seven, Uganda four and Ethiopia two and Gabon one.

20 KENYAN BOXERS IN ACTION ON MONDAY, EDWIN OKONG’O FIGHTS AGAINST GEORGE COSBY AGAIN
▪️ Uganda have 10, DR Congo 9, Tanzania 8, Rwanda and Gabon 5 each, Ethiopia 4 and Cameroon 3

Hosts Kenya have 20 boxers in the ring on Monday, October 20, in the opening bouts of the Africa Zone 3 Championships at the Kasarani Gym, Nairobi.

Six Kenyans will battle against each other in the 32 quarter-final bouts.

The first session of 16 bouts will see African Games middleweight champion Edwin Okong’o taking on his friend George Cosby. The last time they met was in the national league in September this year with Okong’o winning on points at Nakuru’s Madison Square Garden.

In the second session, national light-welterweight champion Cynthia Mwai meets debutant Sylvia Obwamu while national heavyweight champion Peter “The Beast” Abuti battles debutant John Oyugi.

Defending champions DR Congo have nine boxers on the opening day among them Africa Championships silver medallist Zola Tulembekwa meeting Tanzania’s Azizi Waziri who made his international debut in the 2024 Mandela Cup in Durban, South Africa.

The other Tanzania boxer fighting on Monday is Commonwealth Games light-middleweight bronze medallist Kassim Mbundwike who will square it out with DR Congo’s Anderson Manzongo.

Cameroon’a Africa minimumweight champion Wouang Martial will feature in the second bout of the first session against Gambia’s Ndjembi Faustin.

The 20 Kenyan boxers in action on Monday, October 20.

First session from 2pm

Minimumweight:

Silas Onyango vs Abel Abatiye (Ethiopia), Abednego Kyalo vs Juma Athman Juma (Tanzania)

Bantamweight:

Emmanuel Chondo vs Bakora Kalongo (DRC), Shaffi Bakari vs Aime Iranezeza (Rwanda)

Lightweight:

Washington Wandera vs Ezra Paul (Tanzania), Ethan Maina vs Jimmy Adriko (Uganda)

Welterweight:

Joseph Shigali vs Edward Mukwaya (Uganda), Wiseman Kavondo vs Mouhamed Oumarou (Cameroon)

Middleweight:

Edwin Okong’o vs George Cosby

Second session from 7pm

Bantamweight:

Sheila Auma vs Roman Assefa Abate (Ethiopia)

Light-welterweight:

Cynthia Mwai vs Sylvia Obwamu

Flyweight:

Diouf Muimi vs Valentin Ntabanganyimana (Rwanda), Kelvin Maina vs Livingstone Matovu (Uganda)

Featherweight:

Mwinyi Kombo vs George Constantino (Tanzania)

Light-welterweight:

Caleb Wandera vs Pacific Niyonzimana (Rwanda), Aloice Vincent vs Maniloba Falahat (Uganda)

Heavyweight:

Peter Abuti vs John Oyugi

A total of 123 boxers – 81 men and 42 women – from nine countries taking part in the Nairobi event. They are hosts Kenya, defending champions DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Gabon and Ethiopia.

A total of 32 fights are on the card on Monday, 16 in the first session from 2pm and another 16 in the second session beginning at 6pm. Come and watch some of the top boxers in the region in a battle of wit, skills, power, speed, endurance and perseverance.
Entrance is free of charge

Kenya’s top female welterweight boxer Friza Asiko joins Guardian Angel in the ring at Kasarani Gym in Nairobi during the Zone 3 Boxing Championships opening ceremony on October 17, 2025_The Kenyan boxer-cum-singer was mesmerised by star gospel musician Guardian Angel joining him in the ring to dance and sing her favourite song Nadeka

Kenya’s Africa Military Games welterweight champion Friza Asiko was in her element, dancing and singing alongside popular gospel musician Guardian Angel in a vibrant and colourful opening ceremony of the Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships which start today at the Kasarani Gym in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi.

Guardian Angel’s presence in the lively opening ceremony spiced by Jericho Dancers and Acrobats group was a Godsend opportunity for Friza to meet her favourite Kenyan musician. She was so emotional holding back tears of joy.

Indeed Guardian Angel set the mood as boxers danced and clapped to the rhythm of his songs creating a festive and dramatic atmosphere ahead of the one-week tournament that has attracted nine out of the 14-member countries of AFBC Zone 3. They are hosts Kenya, defending champions DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Cameroon, Gabon and Congo Brazzaville.

Flanked by her teammates in Kenya’s national boxing team nicknamed The Hit Squad, Friza danced and gyrated her waist as the Guardian Angel entertained excited boxing fans.

The Kenyan boxer then joined Guardian Angel in the ring to sing alongside him with the crowd cheered in admiration.

Friza did not hide her love and feelings for the musician’s songs. It was a golden chance for her to meet and sing together with Guardian Angel.

“There are artists who entertain, and then there are artists who transform. For me, Guardian Angel is one of those rare souls whose music reaches deep into my heart,” Friza told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview.

“Every lyric, every melody carries power — the power to uplift, to heal, and to remind us that Faith still moves mountains.”

A favourite for gold in the Zone 3 Championships, Friza went on expressing her admiration for Guardian Angel’s tracks: “From the first time I heard his songs, I felt something beyond just rhythm — I felt purpose. His music speaks to my spirit, pushing me to believe in my own dreams, both in music and in life. His journey of faith, humility, and consistency inspires me every day to never give up.

“Sharing a podium with Guardian Angel was one of the greatest honors of my life, seeing him grace our boxing event filled my heart with gratitude. It reminded me that greatness isn’t just about talent — it’s about heart, service, and touching lives.

“As someone who also dreams of singing and using my voice to inspire others, I hope one day to work with him in transforming lives through both music and mentorship. And as I continue to grow in my boxing career, it’s my humble prayer that maybe — just maybe — Guardian Angel might consider sponsoring or supporting me in some of my upcoming boxing events. Guardian Angel, thank you for being a light in this generation — a true example of what faith and purpose can create. Your presence, your music, and your heart for people have blessed me deeply, and I will forever be grateful.”

The opening ceremony was graced by among others Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) President Anthony Otieno “Jamal”, his deputy Isaac Mbote, Zone 3 Secretary-General Lukelo Willilo, Los Angeles Olympics bronze medallist Ibrahim “Surf” Bilali, Mauritius’ Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) Chairman of the R&J Committee Rajcoomar Godavasingh and International Technical Official (ITO) Andre Basile Kalong from Cameroon.

Jamal warmly welcomed the visitors and thanked lthem for attending the Zone 3 Championships in Nairobi.

“I wish each one of you a lovely and blessed stay in Nairobi as we look forward to good boxing in the Zone 3 Championship,” said Jamal.

The dancing and singing is over. Focus now turns to the action starting today, October 18, at the Kasarani Gym from 3pm. Draws will be presided over by the BFK’s Competition Secretary John Waweru.

Welcome to charming Nairobi our visitors, and sample the city by night. If possible visit Carnivore Restaurant to enjoy tasty roasted meat of zebras, antelopes, giraffes and crocodiles.

Photos by Duncan Kuria aka Sugar Ray

Burundi, Somalia and Central African Republic are not coming having earlier confirmed their participation.

Africa Zone 3 Championships will officially feature nine countries, Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) Secretary-General David Munuhe announced today.

Munuhe said Somalia, Burundi and Central African Republic are unable to make it for the Nairobi boxing showcase owing to unavoidable circumstances. The three countries had earlier confirmed participation.

“I can officially confirm nine countries will participate in the 2025 Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships in Nairobi,” Munuhe told boxersworld.co.ke

“I’m happy to disclose this is the highest ever number of participants in this zonal event, and it’s happening on Kenyan soil,” said Munuhe who is an upbeat mood ahead of the opening ceremony today (Friday October 17, 2025) from 4pm at Kasarani Gym.

The nine countries are hosts Kenya, defending champions DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville and Rwanda.

In addition to the opening ceremony, the main activities today are entry checks, technical meeting and draws.

Action proper starts tomorrow (Saturday October 18, 2025).

A team of 25 DR Congo boxers (pictured) left Kinshasa today morning bubbling with confidence to retain their title.

The Central Africans however face an uphill task as the Kenyan boxers have dug deep ready to repulse their adversaries.

Kenya will be represented by 35 boxers – 12 women and 23 men – in the one-week tournament.

Local Organizing Committee release the opening ceremony programme on Friday to be spiced by the famous Jericho dancers

Tanzania, Gabon and Rwanda are the latest teams to land in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi for the Big Party.

This brings to six the total number of countries in Nairobi for the Africa Zone 3 Championships starting with the action proper on Saturday, October 18, at Kasarani Gym. Other countries already in Nairobi are Uganda, Ethiopia and Cameroon. Uganda have 16 boxers while Cameroon and Ethiopia have six boxers each.

And the Local Organising Committee has released the programme for Friday’s opening ceremony which starts at 4pm at Kasarani Gym. It will be livestreamed courtesy of the Boxing Federation of Kenya whose President Anthony Otieno aka Jamal has promised to stage a memorable high quality show. Jamal is also the President of Zone 3.

Tanzania’s team of 22 boxers – 12 men and 10 women – include their two Commonwealth Games bronze medallists, light-heavyweight Yusuf Changalawe and light-middleweight Kassim Mbundwike, African Games bronze medallists, lightweight Ezra Paul and cruiserweight Musa Malegesi and their star female bantamweight Zulfa Macho looking forward to win her first medal in a major event. There’s also Ngome’s fighting machine King Lucas who impressed at the inaugural AFBC pro boxing card in Tunisia early this year.

Gabon’s National Technical Director Dieudonne Mefaghe said they will be represented by 11 boxers. They include the country’s two top pugilists, welterweight Arthur Lendoye and heavyweight Njinnou Mouandat, both gold medallists in the inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup Championships. Moundat also won a bronze medal in the African Games in Accra, Ghana.

Rwanda will be represented by six boxers in the Africa Zone 3 Championships, and this will be their first participation in an elite tournament since 2018 when they featured in the Bingwa wa Mabingwa competition in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Among the six boxers, it’s only bantamweight Valentin Ntabanganyimana who has been at a major international tournament. He took part in the 2023 Junior World Championships in the land-locked West Asian country of Armenia accompanied by Jean Claude Gatorano who is the head coach of the six boxers.

In addition to bantamweight Ntabanganyimana, others in the team are brothers, featherweight Iranezeza Aime and light-welterweight Niyonzima Pacifique, light-middleweight Kalisa Frank, welterweight Hassan Murenzi and middleweight Patrick Ndayishimie who is a member of Inkuba Boxing Club together with the boxing brothers Aime and Pacifique. Ntabanganyimana , Kalisa and Murenzi are with The Real Boxing Club.

All the six boxers will be making their debut in an elite boxing tournament.

Experienced coach Jean Claude Gatorano will be assisted by Niyigena Olivier. The leader of delegation and team manager is Deogratius Wasswa.

The Secretary-General of the zone Lukelo Willilo has released the schedule for Friday and Saturday

The Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships will go on as scheduled at Kasarani Gym as Kenyans mourn Statesman Raila Odinga.

Zone 3 Secretary-General Lukelo Willilo said the registration of the participating teams, technical meeting and draws will be conducted on Friday, October 17, at Kasarani Gym followed by the opening ceremony.

“After the sports entry check, draws, technical meeting and the opening ceremony we start the competition on Saturday (Oct 18),” Willilo told boxersworld.co.ke

So far Ethiopia, Uganda and Cameroon have arrived in Nairobi. Other teams being awaited are Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Gabon, Somalia, Congo Brazzaville and defending champions DR Congo.