The two French trainers scheduled to jet in Mombasa on July 9
They will run a four-day training camp for county boxers in the countdown to the second leg of the Kenya National Boxing League
The countdown to the highly anticipated second leg of the Kenya National Boxing League has started in earnest with the arrival of two French trainers in Mombasa on July 9.
Multiple French champion and former European super-lightweight title holder Franck Petitjean (25-7-3, 7 KOs) and renowned fitness coach Valentino Gargiulo will hold a four-day training camp alongside six local coaches for the Mombasa County team to take part in the league from July 17-19 at Alliance Francaise Cultural Centre in the leafy suburb of Nyali in Kenya’s famous tourist resort city of Mombasa.
The new Mombasa County Boxing Association ring to be used during the second leg of the Kenya National Boxing League from July 17-19
Alliance Francaise Director Lucas Malcor said the two experienced trainers will share their knowledge with the Mombasa boxers in the ongoing Kenya-France boxing cooperation.
In the first phase of the cooperation, Alliance Francaise sponsored the National Coaches, Referees and Judges course and distributed equipment worth over $20,000 which has been shared among the registered clubs.
This is the ring for Ndondi Shuleni project
The support is aimed at improving boxing development in Mombasa County which is currently going through a lean spell without a national champion owing to the low standards of the sport.
In the past, Mombasa has produced several outstanding boxers who donned the national jersey among them my good friend John Opio, Yakub Sebby, Boniface Kahoro, Ashira Oure and Lemmy “Cobra” Katibi.
Currently policeman Shaffi Bakari, a product of coach Cobra, is the only boxer from Mombasa in the national team. He won a bronze medal in the 2024 Africa Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Former national champion Mwinyi “Giant Killer” is the other promising Mombasa boxer who normally represents Kenya Prisons.
Women’s boxing in Mombasa has yet to pick up with no boxer having represented the national team.
Malcor said they also intend to take boxing to the schools in the Ndondi Mashinani initiative of the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK).
“We have identified 10 schools for the Ndondi Shuleni program, we will do it in concert with the Education Ministry and the parents,” Malcor told boxersworld.co.ke.
Mombasa County has promised to bring on board sponsors to take over from the French Embassy once they’re through with thel ongoing cooperation in October.
Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir will lead the way in identifying sponsors to ensure continuity of Ndondi Mashinani initiative
South Africa's John Paul Masamba (left) returns to the ring on July 6, 2025, to face Japan's Takuya Hashimoto in his second pro fight in Osaka, Japan.
The South African boxer is all set for his second pro boxing appearance
Reigning AFBC Africa light-welterweight champion John Paul Masamba, now known as Masaki Kameda in Japan, will make his second appearance in pro boxing on July 6 in Osaka.
Masamba wins his first pro fight in March, 2025
Masamba (1-0-0) battles Japan’s Takuya Hashimoto (7-7-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round light-welterweight fight in Osaka.
Brimming with confidence ahead of his second pro fight, the South African boxer told boxersworld.co.ke he’s well prepared and optimistic of victory.
“About my opponent he’s kinda tall but almost the same as me, he’s a pressure fighter but careless, I know how to handle him,” says the 24-year-old Masamba who made his pro debut in March, 2025, outpounting China’s Yesiolati Nasiyiwula in a six-round bout.
“I’m so happy to turn professional, I’m at peace with myself away from our dishonest and opportunistic Africa boxing leaders, they just want to use boxers for their own benefit, very few have the interest of boxing at heart,” Masamba told me in a telephone interview from Osaka after winning his first pro fight.
“Life in Osaka is fine, a world apart from our struggle back home and disrespectful people, here the Japanese are disciplined with a lot of respect for visitors.
“I’m living my dream, I’m in my own apartment and really admiring Japanese technology, I have my own bike I ride to the gym and back, almost everybody here has a bicycle. The place is peaceful, security is perfect I’ve not witnessed any criminal activity here unlike in South Africa where one can even be mugged in broad daylight, I don’t miss SA at all.”
What he’s missing is the food especially pap and t-bone steak.
“In Osaka mostly I eat rice, chicken and horse meat it’s very nice. I rarely cook because I’m tired after training so I buy my food from the restaurants.
“When I’m free I visit the many social amenities here and listen to jazz music I’m a fan of jazz.
“As for my training I’m enjoying every minute, depending on the schedule mostly I wake up at 7am for gymwork and do some road work up the hills two to three times a week.”
Sparring is normally five to six rounds against boxers from various gyms.
He has noticed Japanese like fighting a lot during sparring sessions and even in competitions.
“Guys here just wanna hit hard, they invite me to other gyms for sparring but I’ve only done it once even if they’re paying. I’m mindful of my wellbeing.”
Masamba joined TMK Boxing Gym, a professional boxing stable based in Osaka founded by Japan’s former WBO world bantamweight champion Tomoki Kameda. The gym is associated with the WBC Warrior Ascent Program, an initiative focused on supporting young talented boxers. He’s now being coached by a Mexican.
Before turning pro, Masamba was in Osaka for two months to assist Tomoki Kameda with sparring in his preparation for a rematch with South Africa’s Lerato Dlamini. Tomoki won on points in a 12 rounder on August 24, 2024.
Tomoki became the third brother of the famous Kameda family to win a world title in 2013 beating Namibia’s Paulus Ambuda to capture the WBO bantamweight title in the Philippines.
As if to show their confidence in Masamba’s ability to win a world title, his handlers have given Masamba the Japanese name Masaki Kameda.
Commenting on Tomoki Kameda, Masamba says: “Tomoki is a mentor to me and helps me where I need help. He’s a nice cool guy but when it comes to work he means business. I gained a lot from him for my first fight.
“I felt good after my first win in pro gaining more confidence through the victory, I felt okay maybe a bit nervous but excited,” says Masamba recalling his first pro victory.
Masamba, whose father is from DR Congo, turned pro after capturing the Africa light-welterweight title by outpounting Morocco’s Mohammed Alloua at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa during the finals of AFBC Elite Men’s and Women’s Africa Championships in October, 2024.
Boxing in his father’s homeland for the first time, Masamba was overcome with emotion as he embraced his cousins at the Stade des Martyrs following his decisive win over Alloua.
“Seeing my cousins in the arena was overwhelming. I couldn’t hold back the tears,” says Masamba, who had earlier reunited with family members in Kinshasa, a meeting he found deeply inspiring.
“I met them for only the second time in my life, and the warmth was incredible,” he added, reflecting on how meaningful the reunion was. Masamba dominated his final bout against Alloua, effectively using body punches and headshots, and later mentioned that Alloua employed some unconventional tactics. “He head-butted me three times and even tried to twist my arm, but that’s boxing, and I actually found it interesting.”
Theo Allotey (left) keeps Daniel Gorsh at bay with a smart left jab in their 12-round WBO Africa flyweight title fight on June 13, 2025, at the Bukom Arena in Accra, Ghana. Allotey outpointed Gorsh.
The Ghanaian star boxer was paid $5000 in the International Boxing Association Africa flyweight title fight in Addis Ababa
It’s all systems go as bidding guidelines are released by the Normalisation Committee
AFBC Elite Men’s and Women’s African Boxing Championships will take place between September and November, 2025.
The tentative schedule is contained in the bidding guidelines released today, June 25, 2025, by the Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) Normalisation Committee Chairperson, Eswatini’s Pearl Dlamini (pictured).
Dlamini, who is now the head of African boxing, said they have set July 16 as the deadline for countries intending to host the tournament to send their letter of intent and completed bidding documents to the Normalisation Committee.
“The final decision will be taken by the NC on July 31,” said Dlamini urging boxers to prepare well for this eagerly awaited tournament hosted by DR Congo in 2024.
Dlamini told boxersworld.co.ke a total of 25 weight divisions – 13 men and 12 women – will be competed for in the African Championships.
About the event, the bidding guidelines state:
A. Official Event Name
AFBC Elite Men’s and Women’s African Boxing Championships (Name of Chosen
Elite Men and Women: 19 – 40 years old based on the “Year of Birth”
(January 1, 1985 – December 31, 2006)
E. Competition Format
Three (3) rounds of three (3) minutes each (one minute rest between rounds)
F. Number of Officials
A. 1 ring
i. Technical Delegate: 1
ii. ITOs: 9
iii. R&Js: 15
B. 2 Rings
i. Technical Delegate: 1
ii. ITOs: 18
iii. R&Js:25
As usual, the hosts will cater for travel and accommodation costs of the AFBC family including the allowances of the referees and judges and local transportation.
With the bidding guidelines released, the stage is now set for Africa’s premier boxing tournament expected to be a full house now that sanity is back in the management of Africa boxing hitherto engulfed in a shameful ping-pong game of nothing important to the boxers but power struggle between the two warring factions which have since been silenced by IBA following the creation of the Normalisation Committee.
A picture collage of the high riding Kenyan boxing R&Js Nelson Otieno (left) and Samuel Obiero (right). The duo have graduated to Star-3, the highest rank in IBA for referees and judges..
Picture design by Duncan "Sugar Ray" Kuria
They become the first referees and judges in the current Boxing Federation of Kenya administration to graduate to Star-3
It’s the dream of every referee and judge to attain the coveted Star-3 status.
This is the pinnacle of success in officiating and signifies a high level of expertise and recognition in boxing.
While a referee and judge may possess all the qualities needed such as knowledge of IBA rules and regulations, dedication to boxing, fairness and a high level of IQ to attain this status, it’s not easy to attend the Star-3 certification course without the support from his/her employers, national federation or any other sponsor.
Past members of the Kenyan boxing federation to have attained IBA (formerly AIBA) R&J status from left to right Stanley Wachanga, Mwangi Muthoga and Mal Duffy
That’s why Zimbabwe’s former international boxer Steven Masiyambumbi had to sell his personal car to attend a Star-3 certification course in 2021 in Dubai. His investment on the course was not in vain. He passed the exams with flying colours to become a Star-3 R&J. This accomplishment has seen the Zimbabwean globe-trotting to officiate in major international competitions.
And now it’s the turn of Kenya’s Samuel Obiero and Nelson Otieno to celebrate attaining this prestigious level. They’re so happy and excited to be the latest officials in the East African country to graduate to Star-3 status.
What a great achievement for the two hard-working officials and the Boxing Federation of Kenya producing outstanding R&Js who are now in the seventh heaven walking tall following this gigantic leap in their pursuit for excellence. They both excelled in the Star-3 certification course in Guinea during the Africa Youth Championships in Conakry in April, 2025.
Obiero’s expenses in the Guinea trip were catered for by the Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) as one of the R&Js invited to officiate in the Africa Youth Championships, while Otieno was supported by his employer, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), who have played a big role in his success.
“Simply it’s so expensive and difficult for African R&Js to attend the courses outside their country if not being sponsored,” says Obiero. He spent over $1000 to attend the Star-1 certification course in Tanzania.
“Most of those who attended the Guinea course were in forces institutions,” says Obiero.
Obiero and Otieno become the first R&Js in the current Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) administration to attain the Star-3 certification grade.
First they attained Star-1 through a course they attended in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 2024. They were lucky in that Star-2 course took place at home in Nairobi, Kenya, with the local federation BFK catering for all the expenses.
The beauty of it all is that the Kenyan duo will now be able to officiate in major international competitions including World Championships and Olympic Games if they’re invited. Once invited for the big tournaments, all their travelling and full board accommodation expenses will be catered for by the IBA and IOC in case they officiate in the Olympics, and of course there’s an enticing perdiem paid in every competition.
To officiate at this high level means they understand IBA’s technical rules and regulations, possess high standards of integrity, neutrality and fairness.
The achievement of Obiero and Otieno demonstrates consistent professional development and a burning desire to excel at the highest level.
Star-3 officials play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and quality of international boxing competitions, ensuring fair play and a positive experience for the boxers and fans.
A referee with Star 3 certification is expected to make accurate and timely decisions regarding fouls, counts and overall safety of the boxers, while a judge is expected to score accurately and fairly based on the established criteria.
The affable and humble Obiero is not in boxing by accident. His journey in this combat sport started as a boxer in 1977 in Nairobi’s Kariobangi Estate nicknamed Bangladesh, fighting several times as a light-flyweight against the late former international and pro boxer Steve “Dempsey” Mwema, himself a product of Bangladesh too.
Once the towering Obiero got hooked up to the sport, there was renowned South African coach in Kenya, the late Eddie “Papa” Musi, to teach him the fundamentals of boxing at the Kariobangi Social Hall where he trained alongside some of Kenya’s top boxers such as George “Foreman” Onyango, Ojow Mamba and his brother Charles “Dixie Kidi” Oduori.
He later moved to KCC Boxing Club under coach Elias Gabiraari, taking part in the novices, intermediate, Kenya Open and the Kenya National Boxing League.
Among the leading boxers then he met in the ring include Undugu’s Joseph “Bazooka” Mwema, Railways Starehe’s Aloice “Lesles” Muiruri, Breweries’ Charles “Ironman” Waithaka, KPA’s Martin “Nyoka” Ojuang and Posta’s Ahmed Omar aka Kasongo whom he fought in 1990 at light-heavyweight after which he called it quits to concentrate on officiating. By then he had already started coaching Nairobi City Council team in 1986 while still a boxer.
Obiero attained the national R&J certification in 1999 and AIBA continental judging certificate in 2002.
Having fulfilled his dream of rising to Star-3, Obiero is looking forward to officiate in high level international tournaments as well as encouraging more R&Js to aim higher.
“It takes patience, perseverance and genuine love of boxing to reach where I am now,” says Obiero with a deserved sense of pride and inner satisfaction.
A delighted Nelson Otieno is very grateful to his employer, KDF, for supporting him in his unwavering determination to succeed as R&J without whom he could not have been where he is now.
“My appreciation goes to KDF and the national office BFK, they’ve really assisted me through good and bad times. I thank President Anthony Ombok “Jamal” and his executive committee members David Munuhe, Musa Benjamin, John Waweru, Duncan Kuria “Sugar Ray”, my fellow RnJs and boxers too.
“My lovely wife has also been with me in this tough journey supporting me in every possible way including financially. My chairman Col Paul Mungori and my Commanding Officer at Moi Air Base Lt Col Malile have inspired me a great deal,
God bless them all.”
Otieno got involved with officiating in 2011, passing his national certification course in the same year.
“By then I was under Rtd Col Cyrus Oguna, he was the officer in charge of KDF boxing at the time,” recalls Otieno, first trained by Nakuru-based accomplished retired international R&J Mwangi “Don King” Muthoga.
“Muthoga I thank him so much for the useful knowledge he shared with me, I learnt a lot from him,”says Otieno.
The rich knowledge he gained from Muthoga and his personal commitment stood Otieno in good stead, graduating to Star-1 in Tanzania in 2024, climbing the ladder to Star-2 in a certification course in Nairobi and eventually Star-3 in Guinea.
“I’m so happy and contented with my achievement, my big goal is to officiate in the World Championships and the Olympic Games,” says Otieno, a natural good mixer whose social skills on dealing with the public and a high degree of discipline are some of the qualities that have enabled him succeed as R&J. He’s currently the Chairman of BFK’s Coaches Commission.
Among the international tournaments Otieno has officiated include World Military Games, African Military Games, African Championships in Kinshasa and the 2021 Konstantin Korotkov Memorial tournament in Russia where he was voted the best referee for his exemplary officiating in the squared circle.
Otieno and Obiero now join past Kenyan federation members to have attained IBA (formerly AIBA) status namely Stanley Wachanga, Henry Omollo, Elisha Abetsi, Joseph Saoke, Trevor Hill, Humphrey Wamba, Mal Duffy and Mwangi Muthoga.
Equipment worth over $20,000 including a new ring and 150 pairs of gloves now the property of Mombasa County Boxing Association
In a colourful ceremony spiced with roasted meat and a cocktail of drinks, the French Swahili-speaking Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia, Arnaud Suquet, handed over boxing equipment worth over $20,000 to Kenya’s Mombasa County on Saturday, June 21, at the Alliance Francaise in the leafy suburb of Nyali.
French Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia Arnaud Suquet (right) trains with the Mombasa County Boxing Association (MCBA) Chrispine Onyango at a colourful ceremony on June 21 in Mombasa during which the Ambassador handed over boxing equipment worth over $20,000 to Mombasa County Boxing Association.
The momentous occasion was also graced by the down-to-earth Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir who was the chief guest.
Amid a chorus of chants and ululations, the Secretary-General of Mombasa County Boxing Association (MCBA) Chris Onyango received the equipment on behalf of the national body, Boxing Federation of Kenya, marking another giant leap forward in BFK’s pet project Ndondi Mashinani aimed at developing boxing from the grassroots in what is a concerted effort to groom the next generation of Kenyan boxing champions.
Mombasa County Boxing Association Secretary-General Chrispine Onyango receiving the boxing equipment from the French Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia Arnaud Piquet
Addressing the well attended function, which was also a celebration of 50 years anniversary of Alliance Francaise in Mombasa, the French Ambassador, who was loudly applauded for his fluent Swahili, said they were proud to be associated with the progress of boxing in Kenya.
Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir was the chief guest at the function
The Kenya-France partnership was initiated by Chris Onyango and the director of Alliance Francaise, Lucas Malcor.
A delighted Onyango thanked the French Embassy for the kind gesture which he said will boost the Ndondi Mashinani project.
“It’s not easy to get sponsorship but I’m happy on behalf of BFK we have succeeded in Mombasa under the able leadership of our President Jamal (Anthony Otieno Ombok),” said Onyango.
“Some of the equipment will be distributed to various clubs in Mombasa while we have the other equipment for use in preparing Mombasa County for our completions. Lack of proper equipment is a big problem facing us in the Coast Region, I call upon more sponsors to emulate the French Embassy.Soon we will start renovation of Changamwe Community Centre, that will be the main training hall of our combined county team.” ⁹
Malcor also appealed to major organisations in Kenya to come on board to support boxing development in Mombasa.
“We’ve played our part, I now call upon more partners to join us assist Mombasa produce more great boxers,” said Malcor.
The equipment includes 150 pairs of gloves, punch bags, gum shields , head guards and two new rings, one is the normal standard size and a small one for use in schools boxing.
Among BFK’s honchos in attendance in Saturday’s function included national boxing head coach Musa Benjamin, his deputy David Munuhe and Competition Secretary John Waweru. The trio conducted a very successful National Coaching Course that earned them thumbs up from the participants for their wealth of boxing knowledge and eloquence in imparting knowledge on the two-fisted combat.
Also in attendance was BFK’s Chairman of the R&J Commission Nelson Otieno, the chief facilitator for the National R&J Course and retired international judge Mwangi Muthoga.
The next phase of the Kenya-France boxing cooperation is the second leg of the Kenya National Boxing League from July 17-19. Alliance Francaise will sponsor the event by catering for travel and accommodation expenses for the officials and a token of appreciation for the finalists in the three-day league that will pit among others Kenya’s boxing giants, defending champions KDF and Kenya Open champions Police Boxing Club.
Drums of war are already beating as the two rival clubs prepare for an explosive exchange of fire in Kenya’s port city of Mombasa.
Maputo, Yaounde, Kinshasa and Tunisia money will be wired to boxers’ bank accounts
After all the ifs and buts, boxers can finally heave a huge sigh of relief on their rightly earned prize money.
The head of African boxing, Pearl Dlamini, today, June 21, promised the boxers who have yet to receive their outstanding dues will soon be paid .
Dlamini, who is the Chairperson of the AFBC Normalisation Committee, has landed running and wants to make rapid changes on the way boxing is managed in Africa with boxers to be given priority.
She said they have embarked on clearing a mountain of garbage left behind by the previous two underperforming administrations.
In a letter dated June 20, 2025, to all AFBC National Federations, Dlamini said the payment of boxers’ pending dues is backed by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
“We value the welfare of our boxers, the Normalisation Committee will always place boxers on top of our agenda to motivate them,” said Dlamini, urging the boxers to train hard ahead of this year’s Africa Championships whose bidding documents are currently being prepared.
“I do understand our elite boxers have been inactive since the beginning of the year because of the power struggle that had taken centre stage,” said Dlamini, adding:” Now that the management of boxing in Africa has been streamlined, they should expect the host of the AFBC Championships to be announced in due course.”
The letter announcing payment of the boxers’ outstanding prize money reads: “Since the establishment of the AFBC Normalisation Committee, both the IBA Head Office and the NC are fully engaged in addressing the challenges left unresolved by the previous two administrations, with the aim of restoring financial transparency, accountability, and effective governance within AFBC.
“The International Boxing Association (IBA) will yet again further process prize money that should
have already been administered. The IBA, along with the Normalisation Committee, will ensure that
these critical issues are concluded as soon as possible. We will jointly manage prize money for those who
earned medals at the following African Boxing Championships:
• 2022 – Maputo, Mozambique
• 2023 – Yaoundé, Cameroon (IBA have the details already)
• 2024 – Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
• 2025 – Tunis, Tunisia pro boxing card.
We kindly request each National Federation to provide the relevant information for the medal winners from the events listed above who have not yet received their prize money.
“Please pass the information across to all respective boxers to manage and submit the following
details not later than 30 June 2025:
• Full name of the boxer
• National Federation
• Home address / telephone number / email address
• Bank name, address and account number
• IBAN Number
• Medal achieved (Gold, Silver, Bronze)
• Year and location of the event
Your cooperation is essential in ensuring that our boxers’ receive the recognition and rewards they deserve. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and remain committed to serving all our stakeholders with integrity and transparency.”
Dlamini said the boxers’ banking details should be sent as soon as possible to her email address indicated in the letter to NFs.
IBA introduced prize money for the first time during the 2022 AFBC African Men’s and Women’s African Boxing Championships in Maputo, Mozambique.
Gold medallists received $10,000, silver $5000 and bronze $2,500.
The same amount was paid at the 2023 Africa Championships in Yaounde, Cameroon, although some officials told boxersworld.co.ke the amount paid was $15,000, $10,000 and $5000 because the IBA has said they would double up the payment.
It’s therefore important for the AFBC Normalisation Committee to maintain the same standard payment – but not less – for the 2024 Africa Championships in Kinshasa to ensure fairness to all the medallists in the Africa Championships, the most prestigious tournament in African boxing.
One of Kenya’s top female boxers Christine Ongare is among the three women attending the coaching course
It’s been a lively week in the Boxing Federation of Kenya National Coaching Course at the Alliance Francaise Cultural Centre situated in the affluent suburb of Nyali in Kenya’s port city of Mombasa.
Christine Ongare, the 2017 Africa Championships and 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, transitions to coaching
Chief facilitator Musa Benjamin, David Munuhe and CS John Waweru aka Mr Rulebook – all coaches of Kenya’s national boxing team – have spiced up the course with dynamic content and productive interactive sessions that offered the participants drills and motivational tips presented in an engaging and friendly format for all to understand the right boxing techniques to share with the boxers at their respective clubs.
Proper boxing techniques from the fundamentals of the sweet science of boxing involving footwork, defence and offensive skills, different type of punches, guard, scoring punches, foul punches and injury preventive measures were all shared by the facilitators to the satisfaction of the participants.
Evelyn Mutheu, one of the three women attending the coaching course, keenly following the session
Upcoming and already active coaches were also taught strategies to inspire and encourage their boxers to excel and build confidence in their performance.
The impact of coaches in boxing and what’s expected of them has been clearly spelt out in this important course which is no doubt an eye opener to the grassroots coaches involved in BFK’s Ndondi Mashinani project, thanks to the Mombasa County Boxing Association in conjunction with the French Embassy through Alliance Francaise for making it happen.
Deputy national team head coach, David Munuhe, drives home a point
On Thursday, June 19, I briefly became a participant when Waweru asked me to chip in and share my experiences in the four decades I’ve covered boxing from the time I joined Hillary Ngweno’s Weekly Review/Nairobi Times publications in 1980.
One of the issues I shared with the coaches is tips on seconding their boxers and how to politely tell a boxer he/she is not suited to this gruelling combat sport.
I reminded my buddy Waweru how the famous Irish coach Maxie McCullough of Nakuru Amateur Boxing Club used to kick out boxers he felt were wasting their time in the gym with no hope of excelling in this tough combat sport that calls for immense perseverance for one to succeed.
Coaches should be open with their boxers they feel are wasting their time in the gym, and tell them to try other disciplines instead of giving a boxer false hopes of doing well in the future.
Waweru somewhat differed with me saying there’s a breed of boxers you need to give them the time and eventually they become tigers in the ring but he nevertheless accepted on the need for coaches to be ruthlessly honest with boxers they feel cannot make it.
At this juncture, Bomu Boxing Club coach in Changamwe, Humphrey Omenda, gave us an example of one of his boxers who would train very well but on the day of the competition he starts sweating profusely and develops high blood pressure.
“During the weigh-in he’s okay but the moment he sees his
Mombasa County Boxing Association Secretary-General Chrispine Onyango (centre) shares a light moment with Christine Ongare (right) and Consolata Bomu (left) both women attending the coaching course
opponents he sweats a lot and comes up with all sorts of excuses to avoid taking part in the competition,” he told the participants.
The only solution for such a boxer is to tell him off politely to try his luck in another sport but not boxing to avoid a possible disaster.
Waweru also told the coaches that much as they’re the mentors, teachers and guardians of the boxers, they can’t do everything for them.
“It’s fifty-fifty, let the boxer also use his/her own mind to learn some boxing techniques especially on the internet or through fellow boxers,” said Waweru.
“Of course it’s the duty of the coach to refine any new technique learnt by the boxer but we can’t spoonfeed them, they need to be independent also,” said Waweru who took the coaches through the different types of scoring punches, use of the spitting bucket at the corners, safety concerns of the boxers and when the seconder should throw in the towel to save his/her boxer from receiving further unnecessary punishment.
Chief facilitators, national boxing team head coach Musa Benjamin (left) and Star-2 referee and judge Nelson Otieno Picture design by Duncan Kuria
It’s encouraging seeing Kenya’s famous female boxer Christine “Petit” Ongare and two other women coaches, Evelyn Mutheu and Consolata Bomu, attending the coaching course.
“I have now transitioned to a coach, l want to inspire female boxers mostly and of course male boxers,” said Ongare, a bronze medallist at the 2017 Africa Championships and 2018 Commonwealth Games.
“Having been a boxer, I know of the challenges ahead especially on finance because at one time or another you have to part with some cash to assist your boxers,” said Ongare who is now under Machakos County.
“I’m therefore appealing to Kenyans to assist me in this important journey I’ve taken,” said Ongare.
_Amina Hasham (left) and Zena Omar (right) are so excited to step into the ring for the first time in their lives during the ongoing National Coaches, Referees and Judges Course at the Alliance Francaise in Nyali, Mombasa_
Picture design by Duncan Kuria
I was so excited to be in the ring I’ve just been seeing it on videos, says Amina
CLARESSA SHIELDS STAYING ACTIVE AND LOOKING TO FILL THE BUILDING
Undisputed heavyweight champion and consensus pound-for-pound queen Claressa Shields is staying active – and wants to add to her already-unparalleled resume.
Shields is scheduled to defend her heavyweight championship against IBF light heavyweight titleholder Lani Daniels on July 26 at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The bout will stream on DAZN.
Shields, 16-0 (3 KOs), has a long list of achievements. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. She is a three-division undisputed champion. Rarely has she even been challenged – except, perhaps, by activity. She boxed only once per year in 2023 and 2024.
“The girls at the higher weight classes are fighting each other,” Shields, a 30-year-old from Flint, Michigan, told BoxingScene. “It was so hard for me to get fights at 154lbs, 160lbs and 168lbs.”
“I don’t think any of my fights at heavyweight have been hard to make, to be honest with you,” Shields said. “I am just fighting who will fight me. It just has to have some history on the line. I want to fight for some belts.”
Shields consistently fought the best available opposition during her title reigns at super middleweight, middleweight and junior middleweight, and defeated them all. Her record includes wins over Hanna Gabriels, Christina Hammer and Savannah Marshall, among others.
“I think a lot of these girl fighters are good, but I think I will be the one in the history books because of my longevity, the Olympic gold medals, and how I continue to fight the best,” Shields said. “I think I have one of the biggest spots in women’s sports ever.”
Shields also made mention of how, when she began her Olympic journey in 2012, women’s boxing was less visible than it is now. Shields cited herself, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano as examples of pioneers making significant sums of money in the past decade – women’s boxing remains underdeveloped compared to men’s, but Shields, Taylor and Serrano have established themselves as quality operators and stars.
“I was the first woman to make a million dollars in boxing,” Shields said. “We are building a great blueprint for the girls coming after us.”
Daniels, 11-2-2 (1 KO), is a 36-year-old from Pipiwai, New Zealand, and is riding a seven-fight win streak since 2022.
“She is a two-time world champion, and she is coming to fight,” Shields said. “I am looking forward to being inside the ring with her and being challenged, and seeing if someone could take me off my GWOAT [Greatest Woman of All Time] status.”
Another thing of importance for Shields is the attendance for her fights. The Little Caesars Arena has a capacity of 19,000, and she wants to sell it out.
“I am a one-woman army. I want to let people know I don’t have to have a stable of 100 females for me to change women’s boxing,” Shields said. “I have done with myself, Salita Promotions, and God for the longest. And I am hoping once I sell 19,000 tickets, they can stop that myth that I don’t sell tickets.”
Shields wants to stay true to herself as she continues her remarkable career.
“There is not a certain type of woman’s boxer who sells tickets,” Shields said. “You can be different, you can be loud, you can be confident and still sell tickets, and have a great career while being the best.
“Some of the equipment will be distributed to various clubs in Mombasa while we have the other equipment for use in preparing Mombasa County for our completions. Lack of proper equipment is a big problem facing us in the Coast Region, I call upon more sponsors to emulate the French Embassy.Soon we will start renovation of Changamwe Community Centre, that will be the main training hall of our combined county team.” ⁹
