▪️Potbellied Ugandan Muhumuza surrenders dramatically in the sixth round as Liz Andiego’s Tanzanian opponent pulls out at the last minute
February 28, 2026
Kenyan boxers Joshua “DeChamp” Wasike and Morris “Maketho” Okolla were on Friday, February 27, 2026, crowned East and Central African champions after downing their opponents in a frenetic night of boxing at Masshouse, Ngong Road, in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi
The duo, fighting in Kalakoda Promotions’ “Nightmare in Nairobi II” main card, treated a vibrant crowd to great displays, before claiming the two vacant belts to defeaning celebration.
Heavyweight Okolla, fighting in the penultimate bout of the night, claimed his first regional belt after securing a controversial Technical Knockout (TKO) victory over Uganda’s Hudson Muhumuza at the end of the sixth round.
Okolla, a national champion since 2015, was in the midst of a see-saw and rugged battle duel with the heavy Ugandan, but came out tops in the strangest of circumstances.
Having engaged a showboating Muhumuza to great effect in the sixth round, Okolla was perhaps surprised as everyone watching, when his opponent took his gloves off at the end of the round, and engaged in a lap of appreciation around the ring.
Billed initially as an eight-round contest, Muhumuza’s actions rose eyebrows, with many believing he had thrown in the towel.
‘God’s timing is best’ – fast rising boxer George Onyango knocking on greatness
‘God’s timing is best’ – fast rising boxer George Onyango knocking on greatness
Okolla, in his corner, was still strapped up and ready to go for the remaining two rounds, before an official stepped into the ring and called an end to the contest, this after having a brief chat with both camps.
The decision, sounded off from inside the ring by the official – and not the MC – was based upon the Ugandan’s inability to continue with the fight after the end of the sixth round.
The announcement sparked a wild reaction from Muhumuza, who was visibly discontent with outcome, and the added sight of Okolla lifting the vacant East African title.
“I delivered on what I had promised the Kenyans,” Okolla, who with the win climbed to a 14-5 record, told Mozzart Sport post-fight.
“I had to dig deep and use my experience to get on top of a good opponent.”
Reacting to the scenes at the end of the sixth round, the Kenyan said: “It was clear antics from him (Muhumuza). Everyone knows that a title fight goes beyond six rounds, but he could not go past that. He was visibly tired and knew what he was doing.”
There was less of controversy in the closing act of the night however, as the experienced Wasike delivered his first regional title with a third-round Knockout (KO) over Tanzania’s Jacob Maganga in a high-stakes cruiserweight contest.
Wasike, carrying the biggest roar in the main event, calmly stood his ground in the opening round, before growing into the fight to leave a sprawling Maganga fighting for his life.
Maganga, boasting a professional career spanning 13 years, needed the ropes to stay up at the end of the second round, but could not repeat the same escapades in the third, when he went down on his knees twice, before being flattened, and unable to make the referee’s count.
The dominant win, celebrated by a bunch of dignitaries including Kenya Professional Boxing of Commission President Reuben Ndolo, marked a new high for former amateur Wasike, who finally lay his hands on a title as a pro.
“Feels nice to finally be East African champion. It has been a long journey,” Wasike told Mozzart Sport post-match. “It was not an easy fight, I had to use my skill and technique to break down my opponent. I had not warmed up well, but grew as the fight went on.”
Having secured a first round KO in November, Wasike continued his impressive streak of stoppages, with his latest win bringing his tally to six, out of the seven fights won.
“I do not train for KO, it just comes,” Wasike added, saying he was only going to take a short break of within “one to two weeks” before deciding on the next steps of his title defence.
In the earlier fights, Kenyans George “King George” Onyango and Martin Achebi all delivered wins in the undercard.
Onyango, featuring in his second fight under Kalakoda, maintained his 100 percent form under the promotion, by securing a points victory over Tanzania’s Ernest Kapinga.
Achebi, on the other hand, delivered a masterclass as he wiped out last-minute opponent and countrymate Alan Kwendo in the fifth round.
There was disappointment however, for Kenya’s Elizabeth Andiego, as she missed out on a chance of making her professional debut after her opponent – Christina Ruara of Tanzania – dropped out hours before the fight due to a suspected “failed medical.”
In the place of what was poised to be the only women’s bout in the card, the crowd was treated to an intriguing fight between little-knowns Omar Karanja and Victor Kariuki, in which the latter secured a win via TKO in the second round.
In the other bouts involving non-Kenyans, South Africa’s Felix “Lights Out” Loggenberg edged out Uganda’s Frank Ngobi on points, while debutant Gift Tembo from Zimbabwe edged Abdul Kasozi of Uganda in the curtain-raiser.
https://mozzartsport.co.ke
