Okwiri to face Lukyamuzi in WBA title bout

Kenya's Rayton Okwiri and Meshack Mwankemwa (left) of Tanzania in the middleweight division to claim the Ultimate Glory Fight title at Charter hall, Nairobi. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

At last, World Boxing Federation (WBF) Africa middleweight champion Rayton Okwiri will face Kenneth Lukyamuzi of Uganda for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) middleweight title in Port Louis, Mauritius in September.

This was confirmed by Kenya Prisons Boxing Association Secretary General Bernard Otoo who acts as Okwiri’s team manager in professional fights.  

The naming of the Ugandan professional fighter brings to a stop the anxiety Okwiri has faced for the past few weeks over the uncertainty of his opponent who earlier was touted as a Canadian fighter.

Okwiri said he was ready for any opponent as it comes at a time he had longed for a world title fight before hanging up his gloves.

"I’m ready for any opponent whether I’ll be fighting in Kenya or abroad,” said Okwiri.

The match is coming at a time Okwiri had just defeated Limbani Chikapa of Malawi in a four round non-title fight at Boxing and Jammin III in Moka, Mauritius last month where he was accompanied by Otoo.

“Our training sessions will now be vigorous after the naming of Lukyamuzi in the fight for top honours,” he said.

Otoo said he was happy with the new Commissioner General of Kenya Prisons Patrick Aranduh, MBS for his unequivocal support towards boxers in national and international assignments.

“We appreciate the support given to us by Commissioner General of Kenya Prisons towards our amateur and professional boxers in national and international assignments,” said Otoo.

Okwiri is currently training under a panel of three coaches led by former international Daniel Shisia.