Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) boxers shone during the Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK) Inter Regional Boxing Championship against Central Boxing Association (CBA) on Saturday evening at the Ndenderu Open grounds in Limuru.
David Njuguna of Police (right) throws a punch at Patrick Maina of Nakuru during the third Inter-region Boxing Championship at Madison Square Garden, Nakuru, on Saturday. PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD
Francis Mwema of KDF knocked down Derrick Mwema of Central in the first round of the bantamweight duel.
Francis capitalised on Derrick’s laxity in the opening minutes to force a classic upper cut that sent Derrick reeling on the canvas to win the contest.
Victor Odhiambo followed in the footsteps of his club-mate Francis to win the light welter category against James Waiganjo of Central in the first round via a technical knockout.
Uledi Mohammed of KDF also shone in the flyweight category which he won 3-0 over Moses Ngaruiya of Central.
Light flyweight category, KDF’s John Gitau won 2-1 against Central’s Stephen Ndung’u as James Ndung’u of Central lost the light weight category to KDF’s Patrick Owino through a technical knockout in the second round.
Humphrey ‘Jakababa’ Ochieng’ of KDF also knocked out Moses Ngugi of Central in the first round in a middle weight duel.
SUCCESSFUL EVENT
The KDF boxers who won their categories on walkovers include Samson Macharia (welter), Hezron Maganga (light heavy), Vincent Otieno (heavy) and Fredrick Ramogi (super heavy).
“It was a successful event. We thank BAK for their assistance that saw both KDF and CBA contest in the regional championship. We look forward to other forthcoming regional meets,” said tournament supervisor Peter Mwarangu, who was assisted by Ben Maingi.
The teams are looking forward for the forthcoming BAK National league in September 18-20 in Nanyuki.
Meanwhile, National lightweight champion John Kariuki of Nakuru ABC needed less than 50 seconds to knockout Kingstone Otieno of Kenya Police during the National Inter Regional Boxing Championships at Madison Square Garden in Nakuru over the weekend.
Kariuki pushed Otieno to the canvas before releasing a killer punch that forced the referee to stop the match to save the policeman from further punishment.
Nakuru’s Salim Mustapha also dispatched Niven Okumu 2-1 in the welterweight fight. Okumu dominated the first and part of the second round before being overwhelmed by Mustapha.
Collected 18 points
Although the policemen won the overall tile after collecting 18 points against Nakuru’s 10, the homeboys gave a good account of themselves in the one-day competition.
From nine matches that were lined up that evening, the policemen won seven and increased their chances of retaining the title of the National Boxing League title.
Nakuru did not field a boxer in the super heavyweight category, prompting for a friendly match between police boxers in Olympian Elly Ajowi against Simon Kimani. Ajowi won 2-1.
In some of the easier victories by the policemen, Peter Kiarie beat Lemid Thiong’o of Nakuru in the light flyweight, Peter Mungai hit Chege Kamau of Nakuru in the flyweight bout as George Wainaina stopped Jeremiah Abuko in the bantamweight.
However, policeman John Kyalo was made to sweat before securing a 3-0 victory over Fredrick Odhiambo of Nakuru.
RUDE SHOCK
Patrick Maina had a rude shock when policeman David Njuguna was declared the winner in the middleweight fight after a good show to the disappointment of his supporters.
“We cannot stand such manipulative officiating at the expense of real fighters,” shouted a fan at the referees and judges.
Tobis Okeyo of Police earned a rare victory after Felix Achayo of Nakuru threw in the towel without a fight in the heavyweight category.
By ERICK OCHIENG and BEN AHENDA, The Standard