A seven-bout card featuring rookies in pro boxing takes place tonight at The Alchemist in the affluent suburb of Westlands in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi.
Promoter Willy Wex, the CEO of AiWex Sports, said all arrangements have been finalised for the all-Kenyan card from 6pm.
“We are parading new pro boxers who’ll be making their pro debuts,” said Wex.
“This is my eighth promotion I’m organising since I ventured into professional boxing in August last year (2024).”
The show will be graced by Nigerian tycoon, Omonlei Imudu who is the CEO of Yucateco Boxing Promotions, the organisers of Yucateco semi-professional league.
“I’m here at the invitation of my friend Willy Wex to learn more from the Kenyans how they organise their events,” said Imudu.
Airborne... Enjoying their flight to Mexico from left manager Colleen McAusland, award-winning coach Khangelani Jack and three-time ABU flyweight champion Simangele "Smash" Hadebe.
HADEBE LANDS IN MEXICO
▪️She fights Gabriel Sanchez on April 4 for WBC Silver title.
South Africa’s top female pro boxer Simangele “Smash” Hadebe has landed in Puebla, Mexico, after over 27 hours flight from Johannesburg.
Hadebe with manager McAusland (left)
After a six-hour stop-over in Paris, Hadebe took off for Mexico accompanied by her manager Colleen McAusland, award-winning coach Khangelani Jack and trainer Araafat Kock.
“The trip was exciting and long, kind of exhausted arriving in Mexico in my longest ever journey flying,” Hadebe told boxersworld.co.ke from her hotel in Mexico.
Hadebe landed running. Immediately after checking in at their hotel she went to the gym to shake off the jet lag.
Hadebe shaking off jet lag in the gym on arrival at their hotel in Mexico
“I had a light session to bring back my body to life. We’re struggling with communication because we haven’t met anyone yet that knows English but we’re really not here to talk much, the fists will do most of the talking in the ring.”
Hadebe (14-3-2, 5 KOs) will on Friday, April 4, fight Mexico’s Gabriel “La Bonita” Sanchez (11-6-0, 1 KO) for WBC Silver flyweight title, the biggest ever fight for the South African to be promoted by Latin KO Promotions.
Manager McAusland can’t wait for Friday to see her boxer lift the WBC title.
“We’re here to win that’s all,” said McAusland, “We’re hoping the judges will be fair, if not, the whole world will see as her sponsor DiscoverSport.com paid the broadcaster in Mexicoca substantial fee to show the fight to the whole world, thousands of people will be watching.”
McAusland has managed Hadebe from 2018, and treats the 26-year-old boxer as her daughter.
“She’s a lovely girl, very disciplined, we trust Smash, and we put our faith in God to have a good fight and fair judging.
“This is the biggest fight in her career to date, even though she is the current national champion and three-time ABU champion.
“Her pay check is not impressive, ESPN paid Smash more. This fight isn’t about the money. We are here to take the title home.”
Uganda's Shadiri Bwogi proudly displays ABU super-middleweight belt he won in Johannesburg on March 29, 2025.
▪️ Nigeria’s Elizabeth Oshoba chalks up ninth straight victory
Uganda’s Shadiri Bwogi has revealed how he captured the Africa Boxing Union (ABU) super-middleweight title in Johannesburg on March 29, 2025.
The southpaw Bwogi outpointed the previously unbeaten South Africa’s Jason Medi aka Born Ready, and in the process shattered his unbeaten record of 10 victories
Bwogi is now unbeaten in nine fights with five knockouts while Medi has dropped to 10-1-1 (5 KOs).
From left Bwogi, his opponent Jason Medi and coach Amyroon Farouk
In an interview with boxersworld.co.ke in Addis Ababa on his way back home to Uganda, Being says he was tactically superior than the South African boxer.
“The fight was won through our strategic planning with my coaches at East Coast Boxing Club,” said Bwogi.
“After the matchmaker contacted us for ABU title we were so excited because we had the same plan scratching our heads how could we get the ABU belt.”
Bwogi and his team of coaches, the Khalili brother Hussein and Hassan including Hussein’s son Amyroon Farouk, swung into action at the gym preparing for the fight.
“Well planned training schedule, discipline, dedication and determination contributed much in this victory,” said Bwogi who is also the East, South and Central Africa champion.
Sizing up each other before the fight. Bwogi on the right and Medi
Which punches carried the day for the Ugandan?, I ask Bwogi.
“Fast jabs, heavy rights and left hooks are the punches that nailed my opponent.
“He was good, tall energetic guy but I used a lot of sweet science to overcome him. Boxing is like a game of chess, one has to think fast and make the right moves when the fight is in progress and not just throwing punches for the sake of it.”
Bwogi feels like he’s on top of Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa located in Tanzania.
“I’m at the highest peak of the mountain, this victory means big in my country, club and in my camp now we’re looking forward to move up in the WBC rankings.
“I’m happy with the results and my decision to turn pro because l’m now reaping the fruits of my labour. My team and I are aiming for the bigger prize, that’s also where the money is.”
Meanwhile at Gloucester in the United Kingdom, Nigeria’s 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Elizabeth Oshoba aka The Yoruba Hurricane, outpointed Czech Republic’s Lenka Volejnikova over six rounds to stretch her unbeaten run to nine fights and five knockouts.
“The victory is an inspiration to my plans of fighting for a world title this year God willing,” said a relaxed Oshoba who holds the WBC silver belt.
Reigning Africa light-welterweight champion John Paul Masamba made a successful professional debut on Sunday (March 30) in Osaka, Japan, outpointing China’s Yesibolati Nasiyiwula
in a six-round bout.
And Masamba has demanded payment of prize money for all the boxers who participated in the AFBC African Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in 2024 in Kinshasa, DR Congo.
South Africa’s John Masamba makes a successful pro debut in Osaka, Japan
In Osaka, the South African boxer put up a dominant show at light-welterweight to signal his entry in the bare chested game.
“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 boxersworld.co.ke in a telephone interview from Osaka.
“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.”
“I’m at peace in Osaka fighting for myself away from our African vultures in the federation’s,” says Masamba
On the Kinshasa prize money, Masamba said boxers are surprised why there was no mention of their prize money during the tournament. Masamba won gold in the light-welterweight division.
“In Maputo and Yaounde boxers were paid their prize money, why not Kinshasa?, we want to know when AFBC will pay us our prize money,” said Masamba.
“Before departure to Kinshasa, officials of SANABO assured us there’s prize money but we were surprised nobody asked for our bank accounts, we were not even paid our allowances, many African boxers are suffering in silence victims of unprofessional conduct of their officials, they have little regard for
boxers, just liars.”
While thanking the International Boxing Association (IBA) for assisting Africa through the introduction of prize money, Masamba, whose father is Congolese, challenged the Africa Boxing Confederation to look for sponsors and pay the prize money.
“For how long will Africa just be relying on foreigners, there’s a lot of money in Africa if the right people are approached to support AFBC, they should avoid embarrassing the continent by begging from IBA all the time, and this is why they don’t respect us.”
Masamba went on:”In Africa we don’t like each other, we’re always quarelling and stealing from each other. I’m happy I’m away from these vultures. I pray to God to give me strength to succeed in Japan.”
Masamba, who met his relatives in Kinshasa after a long time, blasted South Africa’s boxing federation for hurriedly returning the team back home instead of boxers being given a chance to remain in Kinshasa until the tournament is over.
“I remember how I was rushed out of the boxing hall with my fellow boxers like thieves to catch our flight back home,” recalls a bitter Masamba.
“What was the hurry for? did they want to save some money for themselves?,” wondered Masamba.
Nakuru County Boxing Association Chairman Isaac Mbote (right) receives his certificate from Nakuru Electoral Board member Millicent Kibiko on Saturday March 29, 2025
More women brought on board in Nakuru County Boxing Association
FreeArea, a tranquil suburb outside of Nakuru’s Central Business District, played host to the much-anticipated Nakuru County Boxing Association repeat AGM and election.
True to its name, it provided a free, peaceful and sober environment to conduct the AGM which was a complete contrast to the initial AGM that was invaded by strangers, overshadowed by violence, and venue filled with chocking smell of alcohol that led to its cancellation.
With the elections over, Mbote and Boxing Federation of Kenya President Anthony “Jamal” Ombok, put their heads together on key development issues. Plans are in the pipeline for Nakuru vs Nairobi boxing match
As part of the agenda in the AGM, over 50 delegates from various boxing clubs in Nakuru City expressed their authority in determining who will carry the vision of boxing development in Kenya’s third largest city by electing a 13-member committee as required by the constitution.
This election also saw more women than ever before claim their rightful place at the top of the NCBA’s leadership, giving us hope that more women boxers will join boxing and their voices will be heard on matters boxing.
Elected members are as listed below;
1. Chairman: Isaac Mbote
2. 1st V. Chairman: Samuel Nderitu
3. 2nd V. Chairman: George Kamau
4. Secretary: Moses Noor
5. Asst. Secretary: Mary Wangari
6. Treasurer: Peter Odhiambo
7. Asst. Treasurer: Lydia Wangeci
8. Competition Secretary: Lemid Thiong’o
9. Asst. Competition Secretary: Isaac Kuria
10. Committee members
• Philip Ateka
• Janet Mungoma
• Leah Wangari
Light-heavyweight gold medallist in the 1995 African Games in Zimbabwe, Peter “Dynamite” Odhiambo (right), was elected as the treasurer
The elections were supervised by Sports Registrar Madam Rose Wasike, Abel Manyara (Department of Sports) and James Akama (Kenya National Sports Council) while Election observers included BFK President Anthony “Jamal” Ombok, BFK Secretary General Dave Munuhe, Treasurer Benjamin Moses, Communications Director Duncan Kuria, BFK Competition Secretary John Waweru and his assistant Joselyn Maare Secretary and Executive member Dominic Opiyo from Kisumu.
Nigeria’s bright female prospect Elizabeth Oshoba aka The Yoruba Hurricane returns to the ring tonight in Gloucester in the UK to face Czech Republic’s Lenka Volejnikova (3-2-1) in a six-round featherweight fight.
Oshoba (8-0-0, 5 KOs) is expected to get the better of Volejnikova to extend her unbeaten streak to nine fights.
“I don’t have much to say for now but my opponent should be ready to be swept aside by the hurricane because I’m now punching harder,” Oshoba told boxersworld.co.ke from Gloucester in an interview._Oshoba and Volejnikova after the weigh-in_
“Otherwise I’m getting on well I’ve adapted to living in a foreign country though at times I miss home.”
Oshoba, the reigning WBC Silver champion, last fought in June 29, 2024, knocking out Argentina’s Augustina Marisa in the third round.
“My big aim this year is to get a shot at the world title, I feel I’m ready to take on the best in my weight division,” Oshoba told me in a phone chat.
Meanwhile in South Africa tonight, Uganda’s Shadiri Bwogi (8-0-0, 5 KOs) will vie for the Africa Boxing Union (ABU) super-middleweight title against home boy Jason Medi aka Born Ready (10-0-1, 5 KOs) in a 12-round fight.
“I’m appealing to all my fans in South Africa especially the Ugandans living here to turn up in large numbers to watch me demolish my opponent,” said Bwogi.
New IOC President Kirsty Coventry should relax their unnecessary hard stance on IBA and instead foster unity.
Open letter to new IOC President Kirsty Coventry
IOC SHOULD STOP COLONISING INDEPENDENT NATIONAL BOXING FEDERATIONS
The sports fraternity hopes Coventry will not be a stooge of the outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach.
Hi Kirsty
Congratulations on your resounding victory in the IOC elections. I hope my open letter finds you in good health as you plan on relocating to Lausanne, Switzerland.
I will dwell on the confusion the IOC has caused by demanding that National Federations affiliated to the International Boxing Association (IBA) must move to World Boxing (WB) to enable them to participate in the Olympic Games.
I advice you to change this directive immediately because it doesn’t make sense at all. As much as we know the IOC has an axe to grind with IBA concerning governance issues and questionable officiating among others.
IOC prides itself on a very fundamental issue of Fairplay in your governance but you have now dug your heads in the sand to deny NFs their freedom of association. Is that Fairplay?
IOC should let NFs decide which international body they want to be associated with instead of dangling the Olympic Games carrot to force them join WB.
Take note IBA has been in existence since 1946. It’s the mother and father of world boxing but just because some selfish IOC members were against its Russian leadership in the wake of the Ukraine war, you chose to suffocate its existence until you kicked IBA out of the IOC family.
Yet as you know the IOC itself has its own skeletons in the cupboard but you chose to remove the speck in the eye of IBA forgetting of your own inadequacies.
Kirsty, I believe you have come to IOC leadership independently but not as a stooge of the outgoing President Thomas Bach. Therefore the boxing fraternity expects you to operate professionally putting aside the tiff between IOC and IBA.
Don’t punish innocent boxers because of your personal differences with IBA. Let all boxers take part in the Olympic qualifiers irrespective of their affiliation.
In any case IOC is now allowing professional boxers to participate in the Olympics, and they will do so without being affiliated to World Boxing. So, why force others to join WB?
We know the wicked motive of IOC is to finish IBA which to me is retrogressive and selfish given that WB alone cannot satisfy the needs of thousands of boxers worldwide.
Right now, some NFs are in a tight corner on what path they should take regarding your undemocratic position of forcing them to join WB in order to participate in the Olympic boxing tournament.
For your information, Olympics has lost its lustre of yesteryears and is no longer competitive as it used to be because the IOC has watered down the competition by reducing weight divisions, thus denying some boxers their right to take part in the Games.
Against this background, and for the interest of the African boxers, I’m humbly requesting you and WB to ensure all the weight classes are reinstated and let boxers participate in the Olympics freely without forcing their NFs move to WB.
I hope to get your response soon because I know this letter will reach you. The world is now a small village.
Stand firm as the new sheriff in town, and if need be take the bull by horns. Most important is for the IOC to stop COLONISING independent NFs to shift to WB just because of the Olympics. IOC should foster unity and friendship in sports. Put aside your hatred on IBA and join forces to develop boxing worldwide. Right now there is no sports body which is đź’Ż perfect. You all have your skeletons.
Napunyi Oduori (hand raised) gave Kenya pro boxing a flying start together with legendary Steve Muchoki. In this picture Napunyi shakes hands with Tanzania's Onesmo Ngowi whom he TO'd in the third round in 1983 to become East Africa super-bantamweight champion. Far left is the first chairman of KPBC Joe Akech and on the far right is Mal Whitfield, US Sports Affairs Officer in Kenya.
NENEZ BOXING ARCHIVE: The birth of professional boxing in Kenya
Napunyi (right) outpoints Japan’s Fusao Imai in his pro debut in Tokyo, 1981.
Modesty Napunyi Oduori made history on July 2, 1983, becoming the first ever Kenyan professional boxer to win a title at home when the bare chested game was introduced in the East African country. Back then he became of the world’s superpowers in the ring.
History:
Napunyi started his pro boxing in Tokyo where he made a successful debut on September 1, 1981 by outpointing Japan’s Fusao Imai in a six-round fight.
The stylish Napunyi and Nakuru product Isaiah Ikhoni had turned professional in Japan in August, 1981.
After showing his mettle, winning the Japanese featherweight title beating stubborn Spider Nemoto, Napunyi, a childhood buddy whom we used to box together at Prisons as juniors in early 70s, returned home in 1982 and told me he’s not going back to Japan. His abrupt decision took me by surprise.
Curious, I asked him why he wants to fight from home yet he had more opportunities in Japan but he stuck to his guns. He was not happy with the treatment in Japan. I had no choice but to partner with a close friend to make it happen. As a family man, he also had to put food on the table since he had already resigned from Kenya Prisons and life was becoming tough for him.
Pro-Boxing Genesis:
It was a challenging task for me but I took it head-on. By then there was no pro boxing in Kenya. So we decided to introduce pro boxing and get an opponent for Napunyi from outside. I then sent a telegram to Tanzania’s Emmanuel Mlundwa from Uniafrique House where Mogg Yoon, a Korean taekwondo instructor, had given me an office to operate from.
I was also hustling having lost my job at Weekly Review/Nairobi Times and started Sports Review magazine with my colleague at Weekly Review Benson Oduke. The Uniafrique office was our meeting base with Napunyi.
In my telegram to Mlundwa in 1982, I told him Napunyi has decided to fight from Kenya, and therefore he should find an opponent for him.
Mlundwa, one of Tanzania’s best boxers, had already introduced pro boxing at home in 1982 under Boxing Union of Tanzania (BUT). He responded positively to my telegram, and from there we swung into action.
By then Steve Muchoki, Kenya’s first and the only world champion in amateur boxing at that time, was also back home and had similar plans of introducing pro boxing in Kenya. Talk of great minds thinking alike.
We all teamed up and we were joined by among others Joe Akech, former international boxers David Attan, Billy Kiremi and US-based Boniface Kahoro with one common goal: to introduce professional boxing in Kenya.
KPBC:
And in January 1983, the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) was launched at the defunct Ainsworth Hotel in Westlands. The owner of the hotel, the late Francis Mburu, was Muchoki’s good friend. They also grew up together in Muthurwa Estate AKA Dallas. Mburu was picked as KPBC patron and Joe Akech the chairman, secretary-general Boniface Kahoro and treasurer Steve Muchoki. Some of the prominent boxers who attended the colourful ceremony included Uganda’s former world champion Ayub Kalule who was based in Nairobi.
Muchoki played a crucial role in the introduction of pro boxing in Kenya with his wide knowledge in the business. Moreover, he had turned pro in 1979 in Denmark under influential promoter Mogens Palle. He brought on board among others Mburu and Akech. The launch of KPBC was the culmination of a series of brain-storming meetings held in Mburu’s office during which Muchoki made it clear the introduction of pro boxing must be preceded by the creation of a regulatory body.
With the regulating body, KPBC launched and registered, the stage was all set for Kenya’s first pro boxing card.
Contract signing ceremony for the first professional boxing contest in Kenya on July 2, 1983, at the KICC. Far left in the picture is the chairman of Boxing Union of Tanzania (BUT) Emmanuel Mlundwa who signed the contract on behalf of Onesmo Ngowi who fought Kenya’s Modesty Napunyi Oduori {seated} second right for the East African super-bantamweight title. Kenya Professional Boxing Commission chairman Joe Akech is second left and far right is legend Steve Muchoki who met Tanzania’s Clement Chacha. Looking on standing from left is former star international boxer and one of KPBC founder-members David Attan, KPBC Public Relations Officer Joe Okeyo, KPBC member and 1972 Munich Olympics welterweight bronze medalist Dick “Tiger” Murunga, KPBC Secretary-General and former international Boniface Kahoro and the first pro boxing promoter in Kenya D.S. Njoroge.
Dawn of a new era in Kenya boxing:
July 2, 1983 will forever be etched in the memories of Kenya’s boxing enthusiasts.
That’s when Kenya staged the first post-independence professional boxing card at the Plenary Hall of Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).
In the main fight, Modesty Napunyi Oduori TKO’d Tanzania’s Onesmo Ngowi in the third round to clinch the East African super-bantamweight title. Ngowi made four trips to the canvas before his seconders threw in the towel to save him from a possible disaster.
“I’m so excited to fulfill my dream of fighting from home,” a jovial Napunyi told me after the fight.
Muchoki, the only Kenyan amateur boxer to have won a world title in 1978, outpointed Tanzania’s Clement Chacha over eight rounds in a flyweight battle. Former star boxer George “Mosquito” Findo and Ziwani-based Juma Kutondo made their pro debuts against Tanzanian boxers.
George “Mosquito” Findo made pro debut in 1983.
American Sports Affairs Officer for Africa Mal Whitfield was the chief guest flanked by Joe Akech, chairman of the newly formed Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC).
Former boxers Owiso Oure Katibi, Jimmy Zablon, Steve Thega, Stephen “Kimbo” Matiani and Alex Omwomo received commemorative certificates for their sterling performance for the national team.
Southpaw Juma Kutondo
Legendary footballer Joe Kadenge accompanied by his son Rogers Kadenge and chairman of the Amateur Boxing Association of Kenya (ABA) Major Marsden Madoka also attended the historic boxing event in the packed KICC’s Plenary Hall..
Napunyi thus became Kenya’s first pro boxer to win a title on Kenyan soil. What a memorable day it was in Kenya’s boxing history. We felt on top of the world after finally accomplishing our mission. I covered the historic day for Kanu-owned Kenya Times newspaper and my friend Stephen Ongaro for Daily Nation.
With no promoters then, KPBC financed the first pro boxing show.
Encouraged by the July 2 card, music promoter DS Njoroge decided to venture into pro boxing promotion, staging his first show in October, 1983 at the KICC with Steve Muchoki outpointing Zambia’s Flywell Botha to capture the Africa flyweight title.
DS staged another African title in 1984 at KICC in which Napunyi decisioned tough Nigerian southpaw Obele “Rastaman” Anazor to clinch the Africa super-bantamweight title watched by his father Mzee Joseph Oduori, mum Paulina and some of his siblings Sylvester Odhiambo, Philip, Anyash, Chauh and Knight.
DS Njoroge, the first promoter to be affiliated to KPBC, promoted the show spiced by his throbbing beats.
DS Njoroge was the first promoter to be affiliated to the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission.
Njoroge opened the way for other promoters to join the foray among them Chris Kamuyu who used pro boxing as a springboard to politics, Davlin Promotions owned by David Attan and his wife Linda, Level Two Promotions, Korean Kapsoo Kim and the current KPBC chairman Reuben Ndolo who made a huge impact. Ndolo was instrumental in ferrying to South Africa some top Kenyan boxers among them George “Kidi” Adipo, Moses Kinyua and David Kiilu.
Among the big fights Ndolo promoted included Napunyi’s Commonwealth featherweight title contest against Ghana’s Oblittey Commey at City Hall. The stylish Napunyi, a sharp counter-puncher, soundly beat Commey on points to become the second Kenyan pro boxer to win a Commonwealth title after Muchoki.
A smiling Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) President Anthony Otieno Ombok aka Jamal was on top of his game knocking out his timid challenger in the first round.
JAMAL KO’s BIG-TALKING MARTIN IN ROUND ONE
Winner Jamal flanked by vice-president Isaac Mbote (far left) and secretary-general David Munuhe (right).
Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) President, Anthony Otieno Ombok aka Jamal, is a man of a few words.
He prefers action to do the talking for him while his opponent, Martin Luther, is known for his colourful language on social media.
On March 1, 2025, Jamal and his entire executive won the BFK elections unopposed. His opponents were so scared of Jamal’s lethal team that they opted not to challenge them.
Instead, Martin & Co went to the Sports Disputes Tribunal court challenging the elections they claimed was fraudulent with several anomalies.
The battle was now set between Jamal and Martin.
Interviewed by boxersworld.co.ke ahead of the big day, Jamal, as usual, was composed and confident of victory.
“This one will be a clean KO, I want to silence this mosquitoweight opponent, he has to know people,” said Jamal.
The fight started at a breakneck pace with Martin throwing a lot of punches that hardly reached the target. He was doing shadow boxing.
Registrar of Sports Rose Wasike gave the nod to Jamal and team, saying the elections were constitutionally okay.
Then Jamal unleashed a left uppercut which pushed Martin back to the ropes with Jamal in hot pursuit.
He uncorked a one-two punch that hurled Martin out of the ring. Luckily enough, a kind judge saved him from landing down on his head.
The punch-drunk challenger was then helped back to the ring by his seconders. By now the writing was already on the wall: he would not last the full course.
Jamal went for the kill with a flurry of combinations as his opponent buried his face under both gloves for safety.
The BFK prezo caught him with a left hook to the jaw followed by a screaming right to the solar plexus that saw Martin visit the canvas for the full count.
In one minute, 40 seconds it was all over. Jamal’s opponent was helped back to his corner and rushed to hospital for treatment.
I’m told he has now recovered – though still with a black eye – and ready for another duel with BFK’s vice-president Isaac Mbote for the leadership of Nakuru County on Saturday, March 29th.
The 1995 African Games light-heavyweight gold medallist Peter “Dynamite” Odhiambo says NaxVegas will be 🔥 fire for 🔥 fire on Saturday, March 29th.
Mbote has been in residential training promising to silence his big-talking adversary once and for all.
All roads now lead to NaxVegas for this eagerly awaited showdown to take place under tight security.
Lesotho's Mandela Cup minimumweight gold medallist Retselisitsoe Kolobe (in red) on his way to victory against Botswana's Kobamelo Molatlhegi in the finals of the 2024 Mandela African Boxing Cup tournament in Durban, South Africa.
MANDELA CUP CHANGED MY LIFE, SAYS LESOTHO BOXER
Kolobe is now a proud owner of his personal car he converted into a taxi cab to make more money.
Lesotho’s Retselisitsoe Kolobe now owns a taxi cab and will soon be living in his own house.
The gold medal he won in the 2024 inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup tournament in Durban, South Africa, has transformed his life beyond his normal expectations.
He outpointed Botswana’s Kobamelo Molathegi in the final minimumweight bout to pocket $5000 prize money from the International Boxing Association (IBA). The organisation staged the tournament in conjunction with the Africa Boxing Confederation and the South Africa National Boxing Organisation.
“The prize money helped me a lot, I now have a taxi cab and building my own two-bedroomed house in a place called Ha Pita,” says the 24-year-old Kolobe who made his international debut in 2022.
While Kolobe is delighted he owns a taxi, he says at times it interferes with his training schedule.
“It’s a challenge to me now because when the training time comes I’m supposed to be transporting my clients so I cancel the gym work.”
Construction work on his personal house is still in progress.
Ongoing construction of Kolobe’s house courtesy of $5000 prize money he earned in the Mandela Cup.
“I’m very happy I’ll be sleeping in my own house, I thank the IBA so much for the prize money in Durban. I can’t believe that I’m now doing taxi cab business.”
Kolobe is a member of LP Boxing Club, and he started boxing in 2016.
Kolobe on the left in a training session.
“One of my village friends encouraged me to venture into boxing,” recalls the entrepreneur whose burning ambition is to become a world champion.
Kolobe’s gold in Durban enabled Lesotho to finish fifth overall and the second-best placed Southern African nation behind Mozambique. The country floored other top Zone 4 boxing nations such as South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
