ZONE 3 SG WILLILO IMPRESSED BY KENYA’S MAIN VENUE FOR THE BIG TOURNEY AND GOVT’S SUPPORT
▪️ The Tanzania boxing federation boss passes a clean bill of health on BFK’s readiness to host the highly anticipated Africa Zone 3 Championships
▪️ Kasarani Indoor Arena confirmed as the official venue
▪️ Five hotels secured to host all participants, officials, and NF Presidents

Nairobi, Kenya – 1st October 2025

Africa Boxing Confederation Zone 3 Secretary General and President of the Boxing Federation of Tanzania, Lukelo Willilo, has conducted a comprehensive inspection of the championship venue and accommodation facilities together with officials from the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK), led by Mr. David Munuhe, BFK Secretary General.

On Tuesday, September 30, the delegation visited the Kasarani Indoor Arena, officially confirmed as the venue for the upcoming Zone 3 Elite Men’s & Women’s Boxing Championship Nairobi 2025, as well as five designated hotels that will host boxers, officials, and National Federation Presidents.

“I am very satisfied with the inspection so far. The venue is world-class, with a capacity of 5,000 spectators. I congratulate the President of Zone 3 and BFK, Anthony Otieno ‘Jamal’, along with the BFK team and the Government of Kenya, for their tremendous efforts to support boxing development in our region of 14 countries,”
said Willilo after meeting with President Jamal.

The Zone 3 Elite Men’s & Women’s Boxing Championship is scheduled to take place from 15–25 October 2025, with 141 boxers from 12 countries already registered.

Zone 3 of the African Boxing Confederation comprises 14 member countries: *Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Ethiopia, Gabon, DR Congo, Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and Chad.*

To date, only Chad and Equatorial Guinea have yet to confirm their participation.

✍🏽 Zone 3 Communications

Boxers from 12 countries of AFBC Zone 3 to flex their muscles in the 5000-capacity gym

It’s now official. The 5000-capacity Kasarani Gym will host the Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships scheduled for October 15-25 in Nairobi.

The Secretary-General of the AFBC Zone 3, Lukello Willilo, said they have settled on the Kasarani Gym in view of the magnitude of the event.

“This is the biggest ever event we have hosted, we expect a lot of boxing fans so we cannot take a chance,” Willilo told boxersworld.co.ke.

“Initially we wanted KICC but it’s booked for other functions, Kasarani fits the bill because it’s big with spacious changing rooms for the boxers taking into account this is a female and men competition. They need their privacy.”

Kasarani Gym has previously hosted major amateur and pro boxing contests. The last prominent international tournament hosted in this modern gym is the 2005 Zone 5 Championships which saw the emergence of a new generation of top Kenyan boxers such as Nick “Commander” Okoth, Nick Abaka, Dan Shisia and his brother Morris Okola and James Wasao all of whom won gold medals to enable Kenya win the overall crown.

Word has it that President William Ruto will shower the Kenyan boxers with incentives like he did during the CHAN football tournament.

Kenya will be represented by over 30 boxers. War is war!!!!!

ZONE 3 SECRETARY GENERAL ARRIVES IN KENYA AHEAD OF ZONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Zone 3 Secretary General and President of the Boxing Federation of Tanzania, *Mr. Lukelo Willilo* has arrived safely in Nairobi, Kenya, for the final inspection and preparations for the upcoming *Zone 3 Elite Men’s & Women’s Championship Nairobi 2025.*

*Mr. Willilo* was warmly received by *Mr. Anthony Ombok Otieno “Jamal”*, President of Zone 3 and the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK), together with Mr. David Munuhe, BFK General Secretary, and other senior officials. Following his arrival, the delegation held a briefing meeting to review key arrangements for the championship.

Tomorrow, the officials are scheduled to visit the competition venue for a comprehensive inspection and to assess the accommodation facilities prepared by the host country for all participating teams.

The Zone 3 Championships will take place from 15 to 25 October 2025, with *141 athletes* already confirmed to compete from 10 countries: *Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Somalia*. Only the final participant counts from *Congo and Ethiopia* remain pending.

_📸 From left: Mr. Anthony Otieno “Jamal”, President of Zone 3 and the Boxing Federation of Kenya and Mr. Lukelo Willilo, Zone 3 Secretary General and President of the Boxing Federation of Tanzania during the IBA Congress held in Abu Dhabi in 2022._

*_✍🏽 Zone III Communications_*

A TURNING POINT FOR GLOBAL SPORT: IBA PRESIDENT UMAR KREMLEV AND DONALD TRUMP JR JOIN FORCES

September 29th, 2025

The International Boxing Association (IBA) brought together leading voices to help define the next era of sport with a clear message: the future of sport belongs to those who unite, not divide.

At the IBA Sport Business Forum in Istanbul, President Umar Kremlev welcomed Donald Trump Jr, Executive Vice-President of The Trump Organization, onto a stage already graced by legends Manny Pacquiao and Rasheda Ali Walsh, daughter of the greatest Muhammad Ali. It turned out to be the articulation of a shared vision that sport must remain above politics, rooted in fairness, and empowered by business.

Mr Kremlev, whose leadership has steered IBA into a new phase of global expansion, set the tone with a message that resonated deeply across the hall: ‘Sport has always been very much a peacekeeper, and so it should stay. Boxing aims give opportunities to athletes everywhere to secure their future, free of politics and full of new chances. Our task is not only to organize the most advanced events, but to make sure every young athlete has a pathway. That is why I am proud to stand here with my friend Donald Trump Jr, who shares this belief that fairness, respect, and integrity are the foundations of sport. Together, we will protect the transparency of boxing and open the door for the next generation.

Trump Jr echoed the message of IBA President: ‘I probably don’t belong to this incredible family of champions and legends, but my family has been involved in boxing for many years. I grew up watching those great Saturday night fights, learning from the front row about work ethic, discipline, and unity. I remember sitting beside Lennox Lewis, watching and learning not just about the sport but about life. Even after the most brutal fight, two opponents come together with deep respect – that is the best of people. What I saw at the last Olympic Games was truly sad, especially as the father of a young female athlete. The fairness of sport matters. My daughter has dedicated her life to excellence, and to see those values undermined is unacceptable. What Umar is doing – restoring actual fairness, bringing back the purity of boxing, and giving the youth of today a chance to step away from the computer and into the ring – is extraordinary. This is not just about boxing; it’s about life lessons, discipline, integrity and opportunity. That’s the legacy we need, and I am proud to call Umar not only a leader but a friend.’

For Rasheda Ali Walsh, the symbolism was deeply personal. ‘My father, Muhammad Ali, used boxing as a platform for peace, justice, and human dignity. I see that same spirit alive in IBA under Umar’s leadership. Sport is not only business; it remains full of values, trust, and reputation. That’s what truly shapes the future. The legacy my father left reminds us that greatness is not just measured by titles, but by the impact we leave on humanity, and I see that fine spirit here today.’

Manny Pacquiao, whose rise from rejection at the amateur level to become an eight-division world champion, reminded the audience that grassroots support is the true heartbeat of the sport. ‘For two years I applied to be part of the Philippine Olympic team, but politics stopped me. I turned professional at 16, even lying about my age because it was my only chance. Two years later I became a world champion. That is why I believe so strongly that supporting grassroots boxing is essential. IBA is doing that, and I thank President Kremlev for it. My new project, the League of Destiny, will bring together fighters from all nations and create a legacy for the next generations. I am proud to work with IBA and with Umar to make this dream a reality.’

At the height of the ceremony, President Kremlev honoured Mr. Kaan Karakaya with the title of official IBA Representative in the Republic of Türkiye, cementing ties with a strategically vital region. ‘Kaan has been a bridge between worlds, a friend who brings people together, and someone who truly believes in boxing’s mission as a tool for peace and business development. His commitment is invaluable,’ President Kremlev claimed.

Kaan Karakaya responded with gratitude and resolve: ‘It is an honour to accept this responsibility for Türkiye. Under President Kremlev’s leadership, IBA has become more than an International Federation – it has become a global home of boxing. I will work tirelessly to make sure that this vision is realized in our country, and that Turkish boxing continues to rise as part of this great movement.’

The Istanbul forum became the forging of an alliance between decision-makers, cultural icons, and visionaries determined to redefine sport’s role in society. By aligning business with values, boxing with fairness, and legacy with innovation, they sent a clear message: the future of sport belongs to those who unite, not divide.

The upcoming IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai will be the next milestone in this journey. President Kremlev invited Donald Trump Jr to have this event as a joint one to welcome the whole international boxing family and witness the best showcase of boxing.

Istanbul forum marked the moment when leaders from sport, business, and the legacy families of boxing stood together to unite. President Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr made it clear – this alliance will not remain symbolic. More joint initiatives will follow, uniting continents, generations, and industries under one bold vision. The world of sports has witnessed the birth of a partnership powerful enough to reshape the global sporting landscape.

_____________

Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of President’s Operations, Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport

AFBC MEMBER COUNTRIES SHOULD REGISTER NOW FOR DEC 13 IBA CONGRESS IN DUBAI

▪️ IBA will cater for air travel and full board accommodation for the voting delegate of each NFs attending the Ordinary Congress

The International Relations Department of the IBA has announced the opening of the delegates’ registration for this year’s Ordinary Congress scheduled to take place in a hybrid format on 13 December, 2025, in Dubai, UAE.

In a communique to all member federations, the International Boxing Association’s IR Office said the delegate registration is available via the IBA database which is now open for all to access.

“Please note that registration will close on 15 October 2025, at 18:00 Central European Time,” said the letter to the NFs, and went on: “To facilitate your registration please have the following documents ready to upload: a valid and readable passport copy with at least 6-month validity from December 2025, a picture in ID style with a white background for accreditation and NC appointment letter for delegates. The IBA shall cover air travel, accommodation and meals only for the Voting Delegate of each National Federation attending an Ordinary Congress meeting.”

The Dubai Ordinary Congress offers the African delegates a golden opportunity to meet IBA’s bigwigs to discuss various important issues pertaining to boxing development in Africa.

The IBA is fully committed to support the development of boxing in Africa, and has several ambitious plans to benefit the continent.

Already IBA has funded a number of Coaches and R&J Courses not to mention changing the lives of some of Africa’s top boxers through prize money in the Africa Men’s and Women’s Elite Boxing Championships.

There’s no denying the fact that under Umar Kremlev’s leadership, the International Boxing Association has significantly boosted African boxing through substantial investments in prize money for major tournaments, funding for event organization, and educational programs for coaches and officials. This has provided high-quality platforms for African boxers, supported their development, and fostered a stronger connection between the IBA and the African boxing community, creating more opportunities for talent to emerge on the global stage.

The IBA has significantly invested in prize money for African boxers, allocating funds for continental championships and cups, such as the 2023 AFBC Elite Men’s and Women’s African Boxing Championships and the 2024 Mandela African Boxing Cup.

That’s not all. The IBA provides substantial financial support to organize these key events, ensuring they are held at a high standard and offer quality platforms for African athletes to compete.

The IBA has invested in local expertise by conducting Coaches and Referees & Judges (R&J) development courses across the continent, including in cities like Durban, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, and Namibia, demonstrating the IBA’s commitment to elevating African boxing skills not to mention creation of global opportunities for the talented African boxers like the IBA Champions’ Nights staged for the first time in Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024.

The Ugandans have four internationals and their hitman Afred Ajok plus promising newcomer Angel Katushabe

Uganda will be represented by a strong team of 15 boxers – 10 men and five women – in the Africa Zone 3 Championships scheduled for October 15-25 in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi.

It’s the first time Uganda is taking part in the Africa Zone 3 Championships.

Included in the team are four internationals, African Games featherweight bronze medallist Kassim Murungi, African Military Games gold medallist and Africa Championships silver medallist Erina Namutebi, Africa Championships bronze medallist Emily Nakalema and Mandela Cup bantamweight bronze medallist Fatuma Nabikolo who made an impressive international debut in the 2024 Mandela African Cup Boxing Championships in Durban, South Africa.

The Ugandans have also selected their hitman, middleweight Alfred Ajok to make his international debut in the Africa Zone 3 Championships. He will battle it out with Kenya’s African Games champion Edwin Okong’o and DR Congo’s gold and silver medallist in the Africa Championships David Tshama. There’s fire in Nairobi if the three middleweights rise to the occasion.

Ajok, a deadly body puncher, put up a dominant show in the inaugural AFBC professional boxing contest in Tunisia early this year stopping Libya’s Issa Abdullah in the first round.

He punished the Libyan with energy-sapping body blows that saw him making three trips to the canvas and received two standing counts before the referee waved it off when Abdullah visited the canvas for the third time.

Coach Muhairwe Dixon, who is a resident of Nakawa, was very impressed with Ojok’s performance against the Libyan.

“I’ve been training him on body blows since 2020, most boxers prefer to aim their punches to the face, body blows are equally effective,” said the Ugandan coach.

Among the 11 Ugandan boxers making their international debut is impressive 19-year-old senior five student at Winstone Standard Secondary School, Angel Katushabe.

Angel was in the Kampala City team that recently took part in the Robert Wangila Memorial Cup tournament in Nairobi.

Normally a flyweight, the daring Angel moved up to bantamweight to take on Kenya’s star African Games bronze medallist Amina Martha Faki.

Contrary to expectations, Angel matched Amina punch for punch before going down on points.

Angel’s brave show against Amina Martha has earned the ambitious Ugandan boxer her first call-up to the national team.

“I’m going to Nairobi for nothing else but gold, I’m fit, confident and inspired for Zone 3,” Angel told boxersworld.co.ke in a telephone interview from Kampala today.

The head of coach of Uganda’s team is Lawrence Kalyango who be assisted by former international Abdu Tebazalwa.

Uganga’s 15 boxers for Africa Zone 3 Championships:

Women

Light-flyweight: Brenda Muduwa

Flyweight: Angel Katushabe

Featherweight: Fatuma Nabikolo

Light-welterweight: Erina Namutebi

Welterweight: Emily Nakalema

Men

Minimumweight: Ahmed Kazibwe Kato

Flyweight: Livingstone Matovu

Featherweight: Kassim Murungi

Lightweight: Jimmy Adriko

Light-welterweight: Farahat Maninora

Welterweight: Edward Mukwaya

Light-middleweight: Alex Kanabi

Middleweight: Alfred Ajok

Heavyweight: Ringo Aziz

Super-heavyweight: Emmanuel Tabula

MARIE JOELLE MAKES A SUCCESSFUL PRO DEBUT

DR Congo’s Mandela Cup gold medallist Marie Joelle Mwika made a successful pro debut by outpointing compariot Eyenga Fila Dimunto on Friday, September 26, in Kinshasa.

Marie, one of the top DR Congo’s female boxers, was on top of her game in the four-round heavyweight bout, overwhelming Fila from Matadi, the chief sea port of DR Congo and the capital of Kongo Central Province.

“I’m very happy I’ve fulfilled my ambition of fighting in professional boxing, my opponent never troubled me,” Marie Joelle told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview from Kinshasa where she is preparing for the Africa Zone 3 Championships next month in Nairobi. In the 2024 Africa Elite Championships in Kinshasa she lost to Kenya’s Liz Andiego at light-heavyweight.

“Tell Andiego I’m coming for her, she didn’t win in Kinshasa,” quipped the burly 25-year-old Marie Joelle whose younger sister, 23-year-old Africa welterweight champion Brigitte Mbabi, is also a pro boxer and is so far unbeaten in four fights.

Their last-born sister, 20-year-old Mulanga Meta, is unsurprisingly an aspiring boxer, all of them following in the footsteps of their late dad and coach Mwika Bamanya Emmanuel Blaise who was a former boxer.

With her dad gone, Marie Joelle said their mum, Mbabi Brigitte, is their inspiration.

“My mother is addicted to boxing she loves the game so much, she’s our number one fan,” said lovely Marie Joelle.

Besides winning gold in the inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup Championships in 2024 in Durban, South Africa, Marie Joelle won silver and bronze in the 2023 and 2024 Africa Elite Championships in Yaounde respectively and a silver medal at the Accra African Games.

She said she turned pro to make more money and fight regularly because of the few tournaments in Africa’s amateur boxing scene. To ensure she is managed professionally, Marie Joelle has signed a two-year contract with Kinshasa-based Rudy’s Sports Firm

GHANA’S NSA BOSS REPORTS DEATH THREATS TO POLICE
▪️ It’s not immediately known who threatened him but observers point fingers at pro boxing organisers following the suspension of boxing activities denying them their livelihood

*News just in* – Ghana’s National Sports Authority TV boss Yaw Ampofo Ankrah reports assault and death threats to the police following Friday’s announcement that all professional boxing activities in Ghana have been put on hold.

REGULAR BRAIN SCANS IN AFRICA PRO BOXING SHOULD NOW BE MADE COMPULSORY TO AVOID MORE DEATHS IN THE RING

▪️ It’s high time African governments are fully involved in regulating pro boxing to assist promoters and commissions in the exorbitant brain scans

The death of Ghana’s Ernest “Bahubali” Akushey should serve as a wake-up call for African governments to avoid sitting on the fence and get fully involved in regulating professional boxing.

Akushey, 32, died two weeks after fighting compatriot Jacob Dickson at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

In a typical reactionary measure common in Africa but a wise decision, Ghana’s National Sports Authority has suspended boxing in what it said was a necessary step to protect lives, uphold the integrity of the sport and ensure its future as as well as establishing more professional and globally-aligned standards for boxing.

The Ghanaian authorities did however not specify whether the suspension affects only pro boxing or amateur boxing is also involved.

What now needs to be by the African governments is to be fully involved in regulating pro boxing and make it mandatory for all pro boxers to undergo regular brain scans to detect injuries that lead to death if timely appropriate measurers are not taken.

In the developed world pro boxers normally undergo regular brain scans, and those with serious injuries especially blood clots are politely ordered to quit boxing to save their lives.

This however does not happen in Africa because brain scans are expensive not to mention the commissions and promoters care less on the wellbeing of the pro boxers.

Needless to say some African pro boxers may appear normal in every sense of the word but if properly diagnosed they suffer from undetected injuries owing to lack of of brain scans.

That’s why the African governments need to step in and assist the promoters and commissions in financing the brains scans or use their own neuro-surgeons if at all they care for the health of their pro boxers.

The check-ups should also be extended to amateur boxers especially retired top international boxers who can as well be covered medically by their respective governments taking into account the effects of head punches affect them mostly after they step out of the ring. Several of them are probably suffering in silence with nobody to assist them or detect any abnormality in their behaviour.

Brain scans like MRIs are recommended or sometimes required for professional boxers, including those in Africa, to establish a baseline for detecting brain changes over time, identify potential risks like cerebral aneurysms, and rule out acute traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) after a fight.

While studies on African boxers specifically were not found, the general principles of combat sports neuroimaging apply, emphasizing the value of baseline scans to monitor for long-term effects of head trauma.

 Purpose of Brain Scans, Establish a Baseline:

A scan before the first professional match provides a “snapshot” of the brain to monitor for changes over time.

Identify Pre-existing Lesions:

Scans can detect abnormalities such as aneurysms or tumors that could increase the risk of serious injury during a fight.

 Monitor for Chronic TBI:

The baseline scan helps track the development of brain changes associated with chronic traumatic brain injury over a boxer’s career.

Post-fight scans can assess for acute TBIs or other immediate brain injuries.

Recommendations

Professional Boxing Consensus:

Organizations like the Association of Ringside Physicians (ARP) recommend a baseline MRI for all professional combat athletes to help with individualized risk stratification and care.

Mandatory Licensing:

Some boxing commissions require annual MRI scans as part of licensing procedures.

These guidelines are applicable globally, but in Africa’s pro boxing scene such important procedures are ignored not to mention the exorbitant cost involved in bran scans..

 Why it matters for African Boxers

While this response cannot provide statistics on African boxers’ brain scans specifically, the general understanding of combat sports neuroimaging suggests that these tools are valuable regardless of a boxer’s geographic location.

The principles of monitoring for chronic TBI and identifying pre-existing conditions through baseline scans are crucial for the health and safety of all professional fighters, including those in Africa.

AKUSHEY’S TWIN SISTER SHARES DETAILS OF HOW HIS BROTHER DIED

Ernest “Bahubali” Akushey’s twin sister, Naa Akweley, has shared emotional details of his final moments.

The 32-year-old boxer died on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, less than two weeks after taking heavy blows in a bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

In an emotional interview with GhanaWeb, Akweley revealed the heartbreaking details of his final hours. She explained that the family sought both medical care and spiritual help in their desperate bid to save him.

She recalled: “Oko is my brother. I was in Accra trying to take a nap after smoking fish when his wife came running to me. She told me my brother Oko was not in a good state at the moment so we should go take a look at him.

“Indeed, when we came, my brother was the only one in his room. She called him to wake up several times. I got scared and asked what was wrong with my brother. We brought him out and took him to a church. The pastor prayed for him, and he got better. So, the pastor asked us to take him to Korle Bu.”

Akweley said her brother briefly improved after prayers, but his condition worsened again.

“At the hospital my brother was placed on oxygen and he was doing ok so I tried to take a nap when one of our sisters woke me up asking if I couldn’t see that my brother was being covered with a cloth. I woke up and started hitting his chest to wake him up. My brother did not wake up.”

Through tears, she added: “My brother is dead. If it’s the will of God then Oko should bless me so I can take care of his children. But if it’s not, then whatever that would happen should happen.”

Bahubali’s untimely passing has left his family and fans devastated, with many remembering him for his warrior spirit inside the ring.

There’s urgent need for regular scanning of pro boxers in Africa to avoid more boxers dying owing to internal injuries which the boxers are unaware of owing to lack of regular check-ups.

Scanning will enable the doctors detect some serious injuries thus advice the boxer stop engaging in more fights to save his life.

Courtesy Pulse Ghana