▪️Macharia’s stunning upset victory over Africa bronze medallist Aloice Vincent has added more fire in the light-welterweight division and made BFK selectors to sit up and take notice
July 13, 2026
A super duper show in the second leg of the Kenya National Boxing League in Mombasa by Pius Macharia of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has catapulted him to more prominence in the light welterweight (63.5 kg) division, fueled by a stunning 3-2 upset victory over Prisons’ Africa bronze medallist Aloice Vincent at the scenic Mama Ngina Waterfront.
After seeing off the fancied Prisons’ pugilist in the semi-finals, Macharia put the icing on the cake with a comfortable victory over the impressive national novices champion Elvis Lincoln of Kasarani Youth Boxing Club, the conqueror of the Kenya Open champion Ayub Waweru of Nakuru’s Sombea.
A product of coach Mike Mungai at Umoja Boxing Club, Macharia’s gradual rise is the culmination of his patience, resilience and determination to overcome adversity like a real soldier having previously lost twice to Aloice Vincent.
“I have a feeling this is now my time to rule the light-welterweight division, I have struggled for quite sometime but now I’m in fine shape to dominate,” a confident Macharia told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview.
Macharia was mentally and physically prepared for the well attended second leg of the national league in Mombasa judging from his dazzling performance.
“I had adequate preparation with the guidance of my KDF coaches on how to handle pressure fighters since majority of my opponents are pressure fighters. It’s now time to work extra hard since I’m pretty sure my opponents will also be working extra hard to stop me from rising to the top. My big aim is to represent the national team in the 2026 Africa Elite Championships.”
When Macharia climbed through the ropes for his semi-final bout against Aloice Vincent, some keen boxing followers viewed him as the underdog because he had twice lost to the Prisons’ boxer but executed a calculated game plan to contain Vincent’s aggressive approach with a completely transformed version of himself: Impeccable timing, perfect fighting range and dictated the pace moving with calm predatory confidence. Macharia’s hard-earned victory not only secured him a spot in the finals but also served as a testament to his steady progression as well as an indication of his burning desire to rule the light-welterweight berth.
If Macharia maintains this upward trajectory, he’s definitely a hot favourite for a place in Kenya’s team for the Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in October, 2026.
Recalling his encounter against Aloice Vincent, Macharia said he was psyched up for their third fight.
“I know him very well he’s a pressure fighter I already had a formular on how to contain him, maintaining my range was the rhythm I needed and this time I said to myself he will not defeat me again, I’m happy I have clicked at the right time and I’m in proper frame of mind.”
Pitted against national novices welterweight champion Elvis Lincoln of Kasarani Youth in the finals, Macharia didn’t take the fight lightly because Lincoln had demolished reigning Kenya Open champion Ayub Waweru of Sombea on the first day of the league. Macharia was well aware of his defeat by Waweru in the semi-finals of the Kenya Open Championships at Kaloleni Social Hall.
He therefore faced Lincoln cautiously, comfortably cruising to a 4-1 victory in the finals.
“I’m very happy with my performance but I’m not resting. I’ll train even harder for the third leg of the league in Vihiga,” said Macharia whose victory over Lincoln was the second one. He beat him 5-0 during the Kenya Open preliminaries.
“My final fight against Lincoln was less strenuous,” said Macharia.
In addition to Ayub Waweru, Aloice Vincent and Elvis Lincoln, there’s 2025 Africa Zone 3 bronze medallist Caleb Wandera in the same weight category. Wandera is currently undergoing Police training in Kiganio but by the time they are through in September he can’t make it for the Africa Championships. Therefore Macharia will have to be wary of Lincoln, Vincent and Waweru in his aim to represent Hit Squad in the Africa Elite Championships.
Macharia’s rise bridges the raw grit of community boxing with the disciplined machinery of the military. He attributes his ascendancy to a dual-coaching system that gave him the best of both worlds.
First came the foundation from the visionary owner of Umoja Boxing Club, Mike Mungai, who taught him the fundamentals when Macharia started to learn boxing in 2014.
“I owe Mungai a lot, he taught me all the basics of boxing,” said the 29-year-old Macharia. Under the tutelage of Mungai – a former boxer – Macharia was taught the stance, the jab, how to handle different opponents and the vital survival instinct required in the sport.
Then came the polish. On joining KDF in 2020, military coaches – all former internationals – took coach Mungai’s raw diamond and sharpened the edges. They added tactical discipline and elite physical conditioning to his natural talent.
Macharia is now translating his sporting success into social impact. He’s the beacon of hope among many youth in his Umoja Estate associated with wayward youth, crime and substance abuse. He regularly mentors the youth, steering them away from drug addiction and into the discipline of boxing which many of them have embraced positively and every evening they join coach Mungai for rigorous training sessions with high hopes of emulating their idol, Macharia whose involvement with boxing kept him away from peer pressure.
“The discipline in boxing helped me a lot to avoid becoming a zombie through drug abuse, what further changed my life is when I joined KDF through boxing,” Macharia told boxersworld.co.ke.
“I’m now settled assured of steady income,” said Macharia.
Macharia attributes drug abuse and crime in Umoja Estate among the youth to unemployment.
“Lack of jobs is a big challenge facing not only our youth in Umoja but countrywide,” said Macharia but through boxing a number of them are now breaking away from the habit by attending daily sessions and engaging in competitions. However, some don’t stay long in boxing due the pressure from their families to put food on the table.
The latest success story from Umoja Boxing Club is the national lightweight champion Emmanuel Omollo who has joined Police with high hopes of eventually landing a job with the cops.
Despite moving to KDF, Macharia is still closely associated with Umoja Boxing Club, and on the week of his trip to Mombasa trained at the club for inspiration. Macharia recalls coach Mungai’s advice before he left the gym heading to Mombasa with his teammates.
“Believe in what you have and what you have is the best, stick to the game plan,” was Mungai’s parting shot with his boxer ahead of the national league’s second leg.
Macharia is now looking forward to the third leg of national league in Vihiga, Western Kenya, from August 20-22. BFK’s selectors will use the third leg to pick on prospects for the Africa Championships in October. That’s why Macharia intends to stamp his authority in Vihiga and punch his way to the national team.
KDF Boxing Club coaches are very impressed by Macharia’s steady progress. Former top international Nick Abaka, one of KDF coaches, shared his views on Macharia.
“Macharia is a hardworking boxer with a positive attitude. He is always eager to learn, which makes him a pleasure for us as coaches to work with,” said Abaka, adding: “I truly admire his character and determination. Even after losing a few bouts, when many people had written him off, he never gave up. Instead, he kept working hard, believing in himself, and bouncing back stronger. That resilience is what sets true champions apart.
“Sometimes it is discouraging to see people you started with succeed more than you, but that is pressure every athlete must learn to manage. I thank God that Macharia has overcome that challenge. His journey reminds us that God’s timing is always perfect. Keep believing, keep working, and your time will surely come.”
We in boxersworld.co.ke wish Macharia the best of luck in his ambition of donning the national vest for the Hit Squad.
