President Umar Kremlev says IBA is here to stay and still commands the largest following.
IBA IS THE SUPREME BOXING BODY WORLDWIDE, A TOUR DE FORCE
In May, IBA will host an open press conference in Dubai, where President Kremlev will_ _share IBA’s strategic vision and plan for the future, along with a questions and answers session.
Boxing remains in the Olympic program for Los Angeles 2028 — not just a simple fact but a huge victory for our entire boxing family, earned through a long fierce struggle. This clearly proves that truth of fair sport is stronger than those personal ambitions. Genuine core values of sports and athletes’ interests, far outweigh those ‘behind-the-scenes’ political games.
Knowing that we stood firm and united, this is a huge victory for all who believed in the sport of boxing. It’s a win for our National Federations, it’s a win for our boxers, it’s a win for our coaches — for everyone who lives and breathes our shared vision and mission collectively.
The IBA was, is, and always will be the strongest and most successful international organization in both Olympic and professional boxing. We have history, a clear well adopted and operational system, and most importantly, we deliver exceptional results. We are a supporting platform and mechanism for our athletes. We are the guarantee of stability — and that’s a fact based solely on our achievements.
The IBA stands as a model of independence and integrity. We support our boxers fundamentally, to proudly represent their countries and flags. On our podium, it’s athletes first, never politics. We do not engage in behind-the-scenes manipulations or pursue personal agendas. We are building a future for boxing where every athlete has personal choices of freedom and respect, with every boxer having those clear opportunities to follow their chosen path.
The Secretary General and CEO of the International Boxing Association (IBA) is Chris Roberts OBE. He is a key figure in the organization, responsible for overseeing its operations and representing the IBA in various important functions.
We sincerely hope that the new IOC leadership will remain independent and listen to athletes rather than politicians. The Olympics must be free from political influence, personal grudges, and manipulation.
The IBA is an organization that consistently delivers. We don’t just talk — we deliver and succeed. We hold the highest level of World Championships and continental tournaments with set and clear standards. We have numerous competitions, transparent rules, and our doors are always open. We create those conditions and opportunities for every boxer, giving them a real chance to succeed.
If others wish to build parallel projects — by all means, go ahead. We don’t forbid that. That said, the truth remains there is only one global structure with experience, history, and proven results — that’s the IBA. We lead. Others follow.
Thank you to everyone who stayed loyal and fought for boxing, to everyone who is still with us, who continues believing, remains to work hard, and to fight for our united boxing family.
In May, IBA will host an open press conference in Dubai, where I will share IBA’s strategic vision and plan for the future, along with a questions and answers session.
We are open. We are strong. We are moving forward. Together, we are the Home of Boxing.
Sincerely,
Umar Kremlev
President of International Boxing Association (IBA).
Africa welterweight champion Brigitte Mbabi (left) of DR Congo fights Russia's Azalia Amineva tonight.
DR CONGO’S MBABI IN HER FIRST IBA PRO FIGHT TONIGHT
Nitabeta Mrusi leo, says Brigitte Mbabi.
DR Congo’s reigning Africa welterweight champion Brigitte Mbabi (3-0-0) steps into the ring tonight, April 25, for her first IBA Pro fight against Russia’s Azalia Amineva (2-0). The Russian is set to compete professionally in Ufa for the third time at the Sports Training Center of the Republic of Bashkortostan Wrestling Palace in Russia.
Amineva previously defeated Rehema Abdallah of Tanzania and Raj Sahiba of India.
For Mbabi, she is to compete outside of the DRC and neighbouring Republic of the Congo for the first time – but has won all her three matches by early stoppage.
Mbabi turned pro after winning gold in the Africa Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo, in 2024.
IBA Pro has been launched in 2025 with a clear mission to redefine the professional boxing landscape. IBA Pro is going to embrace the very best talents – renowned boxers and strong prospects – directly under one umbrella. The professional league is unlocking new opportunities along with raising the bar internationally by introducing new standards across the industry.
Meanwhile, a solid 12-round bout is set to be contested by Russia’s Pavel Sosulin and Lucas Brian Bastida from Argentina in the super welterweight division for the WBA Gold world title and IBA Intercontinental title. Sosulin (12-0) has had a great start to his professional career, remaining unbeaten with half of his victories coming by stoppage. Last year he defeated Turkish boxer Fatih Keles and Uzbekistan’s Kudratillo Abdukakhorov in IBA events. His last win came in Armenia when he knocked Filipino Carlo Bacaro in the third round.
Bastida (22-3-1) is the one more experienced of the two and is set to feature in his first IBA event. His last win came in October when he beat Bohdan Sobol of Ukraine in Riga in the eighth round by knockout.
An excited Emmanuel Chondo on his knees after outpointing Abednego Kyalo in the semi-finals of the Kenya Open Championships at Charter Hall, Nairobi.
Kenya’s latest sensation in the flyweight division, Emmanuel “Manu” Chondo, today celebrates his 21st birthday with his morale sky-high.
As he prepares for a tasty lunch of pilau spiced with kachumbari, chapatis and chicken – prepared by his loving mum – to enjoy his birthday with family members in Nairobi’s Jericho Estate, Chondo has that inner feeling of satisfaction and joy towards his cherished ambition of representing the national team following his impressive performance in this year’s Kenya Open Championships at Charter Hall in Nairobi.
Perfect jab from Emmanuel Chondo in a local tournament.
In terms of technical finesse and ringcraftsmanship, Chondo stood head and shoulders above the rest of the flyweights in the Kenya Open tournament.
He made a strong statement on his intentions by punching his way to the finals, dropping a controversial points defeat to Diouff Muimi of Police Boxing Club aka Chafua Chafua.
Nairobi County coach John Ochieng aka Chair psyching up Emmanuel Chondo in a national league match..
Commenting on his defeat in the finals to the Police boxer, Chondo said he had done enough spadework to clinch the Kenya Open title.
“I was surprised by the decision because I felt I had won the fight,” Chondo, the last born in a family of three boys and one girl, told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview.
“Okay the first round was balanced but I took charge in the second and third rounds, anyway I’ll live to fight another day but I’m very happy with my performance in the Kenya Open.”
Emmanuel Chondo in a past tournament.
On his way to the finals, Chondo caused an upset, outpointing Africa Championships flyweight bronze medallist Abednego Kyalo of KDF to avenge last year’s defeat to Kyalo in the semi-finals of the minimumweight class in the Kenya Open.
The KDF boxer had previously defeated Chondo twice but this time around, Chondo changed the tide to eliminate Kyalo in the semi-finals.
Soon after he was declared the winner, Chondo went down on both knees as if to thank the Almighty for this sweet victory over Kyalo.
“The game was good I enjoyed it, I took advantage of my right punch because I was hitting Kyalo on target and he couldn’t see the punch coming,” said Chondo after the fight.
Perfect jab from Emmanuel Chondo in a local tournament.
For all his technical superiority over his opponents, Chondo knows very well the battle for supremacy has just started in the flyweight division which now has more depth than in the past when Zone 3 champion David Karanja dominated with ease.
Chondo is aiming for nothing else but to assert his supremacy in the flyweight class to show his rivals he’s the new sheriff in town.
In addition to Kyalo and Diouff, there’s another equally strong flyweight in KDF’s Kevin Maina, the reigning African Military Games champion who skipped the Kenya Open as he was busy at work tackling an urgent assignment.
The national team selectors will be spoilt for choice in the flyweight class when naming the team to represent the county in the Africa Championships in August and Men’s World Championships in November this year.
Equally impressed by Chondo’s remarkable showing is the national team head coach Musa Benjamin.
“Chondo is a very good upcoming boxer. He was initially too ‘clean’ and being bullied in the ring which I noticed,” said Musa, and went on: After speaking to him he’s changed. He now needs to work on his range, use his reach effectively and he will be complete.”
From all indications, Chondo is on the threshold of earning his first call up to the national team. It’s likely the selectors will pick on Chondo, Kyalo, Diouf and Kevin Maina – if he’s available – in the provisional team and then gauge who is superior during the sparring sessions.
That’s why Chondo hit the gym soon after the Kenya Open to improve on areas he feels need strengthening to prepare for the battle of supremacy in his weight class. He has moved up to flyweight having previously campaigned in the minimumweight and light-flyweight class.
Generally Chondo is an intelligent artistic boxer, and has strong character, self discipline, focus, confidence and excellent motivation. These are important qualities that will entrench him in the flyweight berth.
While Chondo is a boxer-puncher, he can also fight when the need arises. What he needs now is to punch harder with authority, tigerish in attack, develop incredible speed and better footwork to improve on his movement in the ring.
Chondo’s coaches at Jericho Boxing Club, Elijah Mringie and Nixon Bisto have their work cut out to polish their boxer into a formidable and fearsome opponent for his rivals. They already know that they’ll have to be more smarter to get the better of Chondo who started boxing in 2018 while in class eight at Harambee Primary School under his childhood coach Elijah Mringie.
“I introduced Chondo to boxing to keep him off bad company because most of friends quit school, and were just loitering in the estate,” recalls Mringie.
At Jericho Estate, Chondo was also inspired by former top international boxer George “Kidi” Adipo, a close neighbour.
“Infact when Chondo is in the bathroom he can comfortably chat with Adipo,” quipped Mringie who was assisted by his buddy and fellow coach Nixon Bisto to impart the fundamentals of boxing to Chondo.
“Manu proved his qualities in the Kenya Open, he’s ripe for the national team to gain more experience, he started boxing as a junior and has all the skills we’ve taught him over the years,” said Bisto, adding: “Manu is a disciplined boxer and a team player. His boxing journey started well in the Junior tournament winning up to the national level. In the Novices he lost to teammate Chris Musyoka in the semis. He was unlucky in the Intermediates he was punched when the ref had ordered stop and it was a KO. He didn’t give up, last year in the Nairobi Open he won the flyweight title and then he started boxing in the national league as a minimumweight and light-flyweight. He’s a stylish boxer capable of going places with more exposure.”
Mringie regards Chondo highly especially for his self discipline, confidence and motivation.
“He is serious in training and carefully listens to our instructions in the gym and during his fights, and likes it when Bisto and I are at his corner,” said Mringie.
“I’ve always reminded him to climb the ladder to the top is not an easy job, and once he makes it, he will even be faced with a more difficult task of remaining there.”
On his boxing approach, Mringie said:”Manu is a clever boxer, he likes to play it clean but can be combative also when he meets a fighter.”
Mringie is happy that his decision to introduce Chondo to boxing has moulded him into a decent citizen in an estate known for all manner of unconventional behaviour among the youth.
Mringie, a former pro boxer, wants Chondo to achieve what he didn’t during his heydays as a boxer.
“Since I didn’t achieve my goal, I decided to help Manu to do better than me, we now want him to develop a big punch.
“I’m happy he’s doing much better than his friends most of whom are jobless in the estate, they regret why they stopped training. His heart is on working for KDF.”
Chondo pointed out the biggest stumbling block facing Gen-Z generation in boxing is unemployment, forcing some of them to quit in search of greener pastures.
“I believe if the forces that’s KDF, Police and Prisons avail employment opportunities for the youth we will have more good boxers for the national team, once employed we will have enough time to train without the stress of hustling to get money because we will be on payroll,” said Chondo who sells shoes and clothes online to earn a living.
“The online business is helpful but not perfect, at least I earn some money for my upkeep but still not enough to enable me stay on my own. Right now I’m staying with my parents in Jericho Estate.”
On completion of his secondary education at St. Patricks in Makadara Constituency in 2022, Chondo enrolled at Aviation College for a computer course.
“I want to get a good permanent job through boxing to be stable in life. I’m very grateful to coach Mringie for introducing me to boxing, it has helped me avoid bad company.
“While still a junior in boxing, I did it for fun I was not serious but with time I realised boxing could open more opportunities for me, and that kept me going especially seeing some of my friends in KDF, I hope I’ll soon join them there.”
His friend and rival in the ring Kyalo said they will warmly welcome Chondo at KDF.
“He’s a good boxer there’s no doubt about it. He’s also my friend but in the ring time will tell who is better,” said Kyalo. He further explains why Chondo will be an asset at KDF.
“Manu will be very useful especially in the league, we can be giving each other a chance instead of having just one boxer, the league is tough and tiresome. At times when a boxer is injured it’s better to have more than one boxer per weight to replace the injured one.”
Chondo was born and brought up in Nairobi but hails from Kilifi County in Kenya’s Coastal Region.
“Nairobi is like my home now, I like it here, all my friends are in our capital city,” said Chondo as he looks ahead to a prosperous future in the squared circle.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Alijs Mesic completely destroys Kenya’s Onyango in a couple of minutes, landing clean right hand after clean right hand, forcing the referee to step in with the Kenyan staggered back onto the ropes.
The final day of phase one of the WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Riyadh saw the heavyweights take centre stage.
The featherweight, junior-welterweight and middleweight divisions all had their turns to impress on the first three days, but the big boys came to town on Sunday, and there were NINE knockouts in total.
Paris 2024 Olympian Lazizbek Mullojonov, the highest-profile name to grace the BLVD City Global Theater, scored a stoppage of his own, but there were also victories for Americans Devon Young and Dante Stone.
American Stone books his spot in the second round with an easy night’s work against Teran, who wilted under the first wave of pressure he faced. Stone landed a few innocuous shots onto Teran’s guard and that was enough for him to get down on one knee and take the entire 10-count. Stone KO2.
Kevin Ramirez (9-0-1, 4 KOs) def. Brian Zwart (6-1, 4 KOs)
The shortest fight of the night as Ramirez gets his opponent Zwart out of there in 27 seconds with a vicious body shot. Ramirez KO1.
Mullojonv, the Paris 2024 Olympic gold-medallist gets the win against a severely overmatched teenager in Mendoza, who appeared to have broke his nose in the first round. He lasts a round-and-a-half more before the referee waves things off in the third following a brutal Mullojonov uppercut. Mullojonov TKO3.
Baalla edges out the victory over Giskov after six very tight rounds of action. Both men landed heavy shots throughout and after all was said and done, all three judges scored things even at 57-57. To the enhanced scoring system the decision went, and it was Baalla left celebrating in the middle of the ring with scores of 5-3 twice and 6-5 in his favour. Baalla UD6.
From left Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) chairman Reuben Ndolo, Denzel Onyango and KPBC assistant secretary-general Julius Odhiambo.
Marko Milun (1-0) vs. Emrullah Kaya (6-1, 4 KOs)
KO of the day! Milun crushes Kaya with a left hook a couple of minutes into the first round and that’s all she wrote. Milun TKO1.
Another quick knockout as Gomes lands a blistering right hand on Medina’s temple to send him tumbling to the canvas. The referee waves it off almost immediately. Gomes TKO1.
Apanu celebrated wildly after getting the decision in a close fight with Hrvinak. One judge had things even 57-57, but the other two scored it 59-55, 57-55 to the Congolese fighter after six tightly-contest rounds. Apanu MD6.
A wild fight at times but in the end Stalchenko stamped his ticket to the next round with a decisive points victory over professional debutant Dylan Rajic. 57-52, 56-53, 56-53 were the scores. Stalchenko UD6.
Mendoza grabs the win after a back-and-forth fight with Yang. Both men traded power shots throughout but it was the Argentine who landed the crisper punches, securing a unanimous decision win with scores of 57-56, 58-55, 58-55. Mendoza UD6.
Valenzuela started the fight well, landing some big counter-shots, but Krnjic’s size came into play in the third. The Bosnian upped the pressure and landed huge shots to the body and head, sending Valenzuela to his knees in the process. He got up at the count of nine, but the referee decided to wave things off. Krnjic TKO3.
Devon Young (8-0, 7 KOs) def. Paulo Yuskiv (6-1, 2 KOs)
Brutal stuff as American Devon Young destroys Yuskiv in the second round with an absolutely huge right hand. Just before that, young had landed three rights in a row which stumbled the Ukrainian backwards before the fourth one sent him crashing to the canvas. Young TKO2.
Another straightforward victory as Brito beats Frenchman Gillet by unanimous decision. The fight was fairly pedestrian throughout, with Gillet struggling to threaten his Italian adversary, who used his front-foot pressure and power shots to win every round on the judges’ cards. 60-54 x3. Brito UD6.
KPBC boss Reuben Ndolo with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman in Riyadh.
Jonathan Vegara (8-2, 4 KOs) def. Steven Torres (7-2-1, 7 KOs)
Argentine Vegara picks up an easy win, jabbing and power-punching his way to a dominant win on all three cards, each of which read 60-54. Vegara UD6.
Peter Lacz (12-0, 9 KOs) def. Michael Pirotton (10-0, 4 KOs)
He was shattered by the end of the fight, but Peter Lacz prevailed with scorecards of 59-55, 59-55, 59-55 to beat Michael Pirotton, advancing to the second round in the process. Lacz UD6.
Tsotne Rogava (11-0, 8 KOs) vs. Lewis Clarke (6-2, 3 KOs)
In our first fight of the day we already have our first stoppage. Rogava launches a blistering body attack on his Australian opponent, who takes an eight count before getting back up to face more punishment, only for the referee to stop proceedings a minute later. Rogava TKO2.
Kenya's boxing legends felt on top of the world when BFK President Anthony Ombok aka Jamal and his team showered the former internationals with rare appreciation for their achievements for Kenya. Pictured front row right is Philip Mainge, Ibrahim Bilali, George Findo and Abdulrahman Ramadhan. In_ _the mid row from left is Peter_ _Odhiambo, Absalom Okinyi,_ _Kenneth Ochieng, Oty Tyson and Patrick Waweru._
_Back row from left is BFK SG David Munuhe, President Jamal and treasurer Musa Benjamin.
A RARE APPRECIATION FOR BOXING LEGENDS FROM BFK PRESIDENT JAMAL
This is one occasion former Kenyan international Philip Mainge will cherish for eternity as he shares his past experience flanked by among other BFK President Jamal.
For the first time ever, former Kenyan international boxing legends felt appreciated by the national federation.
It had never happened before with the past regimes appreciating the boxing greats but BFK President Anthony Otieno Ombok aka Jamal broke the ice by recognising the celebrated Kenyan boxers.
Los Angeles Olympics bronze medallist Ibrahim Bilali second from left handing over R&J certificate.
Twice he had lunch with them at his Chel-C Hotel and during the finals of the Kenya Open Championships, he invited the legends to the ring to present certificates to R&Js as well as giving some of them a chance to share their past experience.
“This is just the beginning, I want to assist our boxing legends as much as possible,” Jamal told boxersworld.co.ke
“I also want to see them giving tips to our boxers in various gyms in the country.”
Jamal hinted if all goes well BFK might organise a grand gala dinner to honour the former internationals for their great achievements for Kenya in major international competitions.
The renowned Kenyan boxers included Steve Muchoki, the first and only world champion so far, Nakuru products George “Mosquito” Findo and Philip Mainge both of whom made their international debut in 1969 during a tour to Zambia of Kenya’s national team, African Games gold medallist in 1995 Peter “Dynamite” Odhiambo, 1978 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Patrick “Mont” Waweru who also won gold at the 1987 African Games with Mohamed Orungi who was also present, 1984 Los Angeles Olympics bronze medallist Ibrahim “Surf” Bilali, silver medallist at the 1998 Commonwealth Games Absalom “Diblo” Okinyi and 1994 Commonwealth Games light-flyweight champion Abdulrahman “Kapsi” Ramadhan.
OKAKA’S PICNIC, POLICE CHAMPS AS BOXING CANCER PERSISTS
A hearty laugh for light-heavyweight winner Robert Okaka and loser Humphrey Ochieng aka Jakababa in the main fight of the Kenya Open Championships on April 19, 2025.
Dominant Robert Okaka went on a picnic chalking up his second consecutive victory over Humphrey Ochieng as Police “Chafua Chafua” won the Kenya Open Championships amid the ugly head of boxing cancer at Nairobi’s Charter Hall on Saturday, April 19.
Soldier Okaka nicknamed One-Man-Army was on top of his game against cop Ochieng aka Jakababa who was on the receiving end for the better part of the fight for a 2-1 victory.
It was encouraging to see Okaka boxing instead of fighting as he normally does, even punching the body severally and then going upstairs, and at times adding spice with the famous Mohammed Ali shuffle.
Veronica Mbithe (right) put up a sparkling show to retain her Kenya Open light-flyweight title by outpointing Faith Nafuna.
Two consecutive heavy right shots exploded on Jakababa’s face in the first round for a count of eight. From then on, Okaka remained in the driver’s seat punishing Jakaba proper. The Police boxer landed a few telling feeble shots that hardly shook Okaka.
“I was well prepared it’s only that it was not a good day in the office,” said a subdued Jakababa.
Okaka was in cloud nine following his second victory in a row over Jakababa.
“I was ready for war, I really enjoyed the game using my jab whenever I saw him coming punching him at will,” Okaka told boxersworld.co.ke
“I’ve changed my game because I want to make boxing more entertaining not just pounding an opponent, that was my aim in the ring to score points and not just aiming for a KO. I’m happy I’ve now silenced Jakababa.”
Prisons’ Jusper Sagali (right) scored a first round shocking KO victory over Africa Championships silver medallist Abukakar Hakim (left) formerly Clinton Macharia.
Police emerged overall winners with 24 points closely followed by KDF 23, Prisons 11, Nairobi and Siaya jointly fourth with 9, Kibra 6, Kisumu 4, Kongowea and Nakuru 2 each.
Police won the men’s title on 21pts, KDF 16, Prisons 11, Nairobi 7, Siaya and Kibra 3 each, Kisumu, Kongowea and Nakuru 2 each.
In women’s category, KDF topped with 7 points, Siaya 6, Police and Kibra 3 each, Kisumu, Nairobi and Meru 2 each.
Which way R&Js? Is there no cure for biased officiating? It has now become the cancer of boxing.
Biased officiating – the cancer of boxing – reared its ugly head once again in men’s flyweight, lightweight and middleweight divisions.
At flyweight Diouff Muimi of Police beat Nairobi’s Emmanuel Chondo, lightweight Police’s Ethan Maina outpointed KDF’s former weightlifter Washington Wandera while Siaya’s middleweight Nivel Otieno beat KDF’s Steve Onyango.
Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) President Anthony Otieno Ombok aka Jamal (left) presents Nelson Otieno with his R&J Star-2 certificate.
In all fairness, the losers deserved to win but it seems dubious officiating has now become the cancer of boxing as witnessed even in IBA World Championships and AFBC Africa Men’s and Women’s tournament. Despite efforts to cure this disease it seems, there’s still no medicine to get rid of this boxing cancer.
_It's Police vs KDF in the main fight of today's Kenya Open finals at Charter Hall from 2pm. On the left is Humphrey "Jakababa" Ochieng and his arch-rival Robert Okaka._
The Charter Hall roof might come tumbling down today from a furious exchange of fire between a heavily armed lethal soldier and a brave policeman whose father inspired him to take up boxing in 2004.
Amen! What a sweet victory it was for Nairobi’s flyweight Emmanuel Chondo (left) who outpointed KDF’s international Abednego Kyalo
There’s no love lost between KDF’s Robert Okaka and Police’s Humphrey “Jakababa” Ochieng since they first fought in last year’s national league in Embu with Okaka beating Jakababa in a fiercely contested bout. One would think the two were fighting over a disputed parcel of land.
KDF’s Cynthia Mwai (right) in her semis 3-0 win over Nairobi’s Sylvia Obwamu. Sylvia battles big-hitting Kisumu’s Sonia Atieno
Today is the Big Rematch when the duo clash in the Kenya Open Boxing Championships finals at Charter Hall from 2pm. It’s the main fight of the final showdown.
Okaka, who celebrated his 26th birthday on March 21 this year, maintains he’s the best light-heavyweight in Kenya.
The winner is Faith Nafuna!! She meets defending light-flyweight champion Veronica Mbithe in today’s finals
“I’m tops in my weight class, I’ll prove that today,” roared Okaka in an interview with boxersworld.co.ke
I asked Jakababa whether he agrees Okaka is the best light-heavyweight in Kenya.
His response was an emphatic NO! But he didn’t say much, further fuelling the tension that has gripped this eagerly awaited blockbuster.
“It won’t be an easy job,” said the 31-year-old Jakaba whose father, Charles Ochieng aka Karateka, inspired him to take up boxing in 2004 at Kayole Social Hall.
Coach Gilbert “Mamba” Miruka honed the raw fighting skills of Jakababa to become one of Kenya’s best boxers in the light-heavyweight division. He joined the Kenya Police in 2017.
Jakababa singles out KDF’s Hezron Magaga as the toughest opponent he has fought so far in locally, not Okaka as some ring analysts would believe. He has lost three times to the towering Magaga, son of the late Kenyan prominent heavyweight Fred ” Sachi” Sabat. By stating Magaga is the toughest opponent he has met, Jakababa is somewhat sending a subtle message to Okaka he’s after all not as tough as he thinks, a comparison the KDF soldier will not take lightly.
Jakababa (left) on the offensive against Nakuru’s Oliver Omondi whom he stopped in the second round of the light-heavy semis. Top Emmanuel Chondo(right) corners Abedmego Kyalo
Okaka’s boxing journey started in 2021 at Jericho Boxing Club under longtime resident coaches, Elijah Mringie and Nixon Bisto.
He began boxing when he was a form four student at Makongeni Secondary School. Life was not a bed of roses for Okaka then but he weathered the storm courageously. At one time Okaka was a water vendor, garbage collector and even sold scrap metals to survive in Nairobi, also known as “Shamba la Mawe” (City of Stones).
As a water vendor, Okaka used to push his handkart, or _mkoko_ as it’s known in the street lingo, selling water in Ofafa Maringo Estate where he stayed.
In 2023, through his boxing potential, Okaka was employed by KDF.
He made his international debut the same year in the Africa Championships in Yaounde, Cameroon, winning bronze and added his second bronze medal in the 2024 Africa Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo.
Little wonder Okaka feels Jakababa is not a threat with all his wealth of international experience. Okaka should however take into account Jakababa is a never-say-die boxer and has a big heart. He can dish out punishment and absort it in equal measure. Okaka normally likes to carry the fight to his opponents throwing bombs.
Among other highlights include men’s flyweight bout between last year’s losing semi-finalist Emmanuel “Manu” Chondo vs Diouff Muimi whom Chondo has beaten twice, women’s light-flyweight pitting KDF’s defending champion Veronica Mbithe vs Nairobi’s Faith Nafuna, bantamweight Shaffi Bakari vs KDF’s Kelvin Munyau, lightweight KDF’s Washington Wandera vs Ethan Maina of Police, ladies light-welterweight Cynthia Mwai of KDF vs Kisumu’s Sonia Atieno and men’s light-welterweight featuring Africa Championships bronze medallist Aloice Vincent Ochieng and clinical puncher Anthony Maina of Prisons.
In some of the highlights in the semis, Nairobi’s Emmanuel Chondo outpointed KDF’s international Abednego Kyalo while at light-welterweight Police’s Aloice Vincent beat Nakuru’s Caleb Wandera.
“The game was okay I took advantage of my right punch, it was landing perfectly and he failed to contain it,” said a jovial Chondo who scored his first win over Kyalo who had previously defeated him twice. It’s the first time the Jericho Estate-bred Chondo is fighting at flyweight having campaigned at minimumweight in 2023 and 2024.
“I fought well, I feel like I won but what messed me up is a public warning I received for leaning on the ropes,” said Kyalo.
It will be interesting to see how Cynthia Mwai, an alumni of Ndururi High School in Nyahururu, tackles 18-year-old schoolgirl Sonia, the novices and intermediate champion.
A member of Korumba Boxing Club in Kisumu under coach Charles Onyango, the daring Sonia has vowed to cause a major upset to take over from Cynthia who made her international debut in the Serbia Women’s World Championships.
“I don’t care about my opponent boxing for Kenya, today I’m beating her,” said Sonia who is itching to join the national team.
Reigning Africa light-middleweight champion Boniface “The Hammer” Mogunde is expected to maintain his seven-year unbeaten run locally with a deserved victory over Nairobi’s Michael Oduor. Mogunde will definitely make mincemeat of the Nairobi boxer.
Besides individual glory, there’s also the overall team title at stake in the Kenya Open tournament, the most prestigious local event in the calendar of Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK).
It’s a two-horse race between KDF and Police. The soldiers have 10 boxers in the finals and Police 9 followed by Prisons 5 and Nairobi 4.
KDF and Police have uncorked their guns ready for the war! Who will laugh last?
Former international boxers from left Philip Mainge, George "Mosquito" Findo and Steve "Destimo" Muchoki at the Charter Hall during Thursday's Kenya Open Championships . They've expressed their concern on the increasing level of holding in Kenyan boxing they witnessed during the event.
EX-BOXERS: TOO MUCH HOLDING IN KENYA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Former international boxers have expressed their disappointment on what has now become an irritating habit of boxers engaging in more holding instead of scoring points with a variety of punches and displaying the finer art of boxing.
The boxers, Steve “Destimo” Muchoki, George “Mosquito” Findo, Philip Maingi, Ibrahim ” Surf” Bilali, Peter “Dynamite” Odhiambo and Kenneth “Valdez” Ochieng spoke to boxersworld.co.ke during the quarter-finals of the Kenya Open Championships at Nairobi’s Charter Hall.
Former internationals Duncun Kuria aka Sugar Ray (left) and Kenneth “Valdez” Ochieng.
They were all unanimous holding has reached an alarming level that has to be contained immediately.
“What happened to the jab, I’m not seeing boxers using it here,” said Mainge while Findo said he was so disappointed by the frequent holding he witnessed in most bouts in the Kenya Open tournament.
“I came all the way from Nakuru to be entertained, all I’m seeing is boxers holding,” said Findo.
Peter Odhiambo attributed the increasing rate of holding to poor basics.
“Most of the boxers are lacking basics. The grassroots coaches don’t teach basics properly. The era of pads and YouTube has brought a lot of mess in boxing,” said Odhiambo.
Popular Dallas Boxing Club coach Charles Mukula said fans pay to watch good boxing not boxers boring them by holding one another.
Mukula cited lack of fitness as one of the reasons contributing to this irritating habit of boxers resorting to holding each other.
“The problem we’re having now is boxers not training hard enough and going for roadwork to attain proper fitness, that’s why they turn to holding because they can’t persevere the pain of punches,” said Mukula, adding, “We’re also seeing this holding in big IBA tournaments.” The coach further suggested frequent disqualifications by the referees as one way to curb holding.
Commenting on holding, the head coach of Kenya’s national team Musa Benjamin said referees should also distinguish the difference between holding and clinching.
“The referees and boxers seem to confuse clinching (which is allowed though not for long) and holding. The latter is a foul that when repeated should invite warnings and eventually disqualifications,” said the Kenya head coach.
Some boxers often clinch to slow down the pace of their opponents, to mess up their strategy, come out of a tight corner and to recover from a heavy punch.
While clinching is not a foul, if frequently used it becomes boring and often equated to holding.
Former great Kenyan international boxers Muchoki, Bilali, Modesty Napunyi Oduori and Kamau “Pipino” Wanyoike often used clinching but in a very clever manner.
Kenyan coaches should also talk to their boxers frequently to avoid holding at all costs, and instead display good boxing to score points from all angles with a variety of punches to entertain fans and win their fights professionally.
_Caleb Wandera (left) and Aloice Ochieng (right) in bout of the day in the Kenya Open semi-finals at Charter Hall._
_Caleb Wandera (left) and Aloice Ochieng (right) in bout of the day in the Kenya Open semi-finals at Charter Hall._
The Kenya Open Boxing Championships enter the semi-finals stage today at Nairobi’s Charter Hall.
Among the highlights is the light-welterweight encounter between Africa Championships light-welterweight bronze medallist Aloice Ochieng of Police vs Nakuru’s big hitting Caleb Wandera and Africa Championships bronze medallist Abednego Kyalo of KDF vs Nairobi’s Emmanuel Chondo.
Ochieng displayed a scrappy show against KDF’s Pius Macharia but squeezed a points win to sail to the semis while Wandera stopped Laikipia’s Clinton Mutua in the first round. Wandera’s digging left body punch sent Mutua down on his pants in the first round. As he pulled himself up to an eight count the referee waved it off.
Kyalo outpointed Prisons’ Moses Kilavuka and Chondo beat Kibra’s Mohammed Hussein in a bout marred by constant holding.
Day 2/4: Quarterfinals Results 2025 KENYA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
The light-welterweight bout between Prisons’ Anthony Maina and KDF’s Joseph Gatambo was the best of them all mainly for the technical finesse displayed by the two boxers.
“I’ve loved this bout, unlike others which we have to keep on intervening to separate boxers from holding, this one was clean,” said one of the R&J’s watching from the ringside.
Day 3/4: Semifinals Schedule. 2025 KENYA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Maina started by attacking Gatambo’s body scoring well timed shots to tire his opponent and eventually won by a unanimous decision.
Abednego Kyalo (right) in a past international tournament.
KYALO HAS A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB
Abednego Kyalo is faced with a stern test to attain his goal in this year’s Kenya Open Boxing Championships which started on Wednesday, April 16, at Charter Hall.
The Kenya Defence Forces boxer is gunning to win his fourth Kenya Open title and the first time as a flyweight but between him and his goal is three equally capable boxers, his clubmate Kevin Maina, Nairobi’s Emmanuel “Manu” Chondo and Kibra’s southpaw Mohammed Hussein.
“I can’t underrate any boxer because each one of them has trained well for the championship,” says the 2024 Africa Championships bronze medalist.
“Kevin is my teammate so I don’t look at him as my rival.”
In last year’s Kenya Open finals, Kyalo lost to Silus Onyango of Police in the minimumweight division.
“I’m still new in flyweight but I think I’ll do good because I’m not straining,” says Kyalo who ventured into boxing in 2009 at the famous Dallas Boxing Club in Muthurwa Estate. The boxer was under the tutelage of Charles Mukula who also groomed Kyalo’s teammate at KDF, Veronica Mbithe.
Five years later, he made his international debut in the 2014 World Youth Games in Sofia and also took part in the Africa Youth Games in Botswana.
He struck his first medal – a bronze – in the Africa Military Games in 2018 in Algeria, and the following year took part in the 2019 World Military Games in China.
He performed better in the 2022 World Military Games in Russia punching his way to the quarter-finals.
Kyalo moved up from light-flyweight to flyweight in the 2024 Africa Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo_Abednego Kyalo (right) in a past international tournament_ where he settled for a bronze medal.
