Why every boxer wants to go to Nakuru

Uganda's Mercy Achayo (right) in action against Stacy Odindo of Nakuru during their super-featherweight bout at Labour Day Boxing Championships in Nakuru on Friday. [Ben Ahenda]

When questions were thrown to boxers on their preferred destination to host crucial boxing championships, most of them fell in love with Nakuru. 

Asked to give their reasons for this, they said the common denominator was the fact that the city is the hotbed of Kenyan boxing.

And since time immemorial, the city has been regarded as the cradle and granary of Kenyan boxers and, therefore, crucial in the hosting of big contests in the country. 

It produced top boxers who went on to box for different clubs in all parts of the country after securing employment.

They include 1972 Munich Olympics featherweight silver medallist Philip Waruingi, 1988 Hit Squad deputy captain John 'Duran' Wanjau, and the 1995 All Africa Games light heavyweight gold medallist Peter 'Dynamite' Odhiambo, among others.

And as preparations intensify ahead of the first leg of the national boxing league slated for Thursday to Saturday, more county teams are willing to send their teams to Nyayo Gardens, Nakuru.

They are Vihiga, Nairobi, Siaya, Meru, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kiambu, Laikipia, Kajiado, Busia, and Homa Bay.

Vihiga will be represented by six boxers in the three-day competition, according to the County Boxing Association chairman, David Andabu.

"We can't afford to miss this in Nakuru. Although we are facing financial difficulties, we'll avail a few boxers there," Andabu told Standard Sports.

He said the proximity of the venue is one of the reasons they will travel to Nakuru.

Hosts Nakuru, Kisumu, Nairobi, and Mombasa are four Kenyan cities that have consistently sent their teams to such crucial assignments.

Kajiado will equally send several boxers, according to veteran coach Michael Otieno.

"We have had enough training sessions for more boxers, and we need to select some of the best to travel to Nakuru," said Otieno, who coaches Ongata Rongai Boxing Club.

Nakuru Amateur Boxing Club head coach Lemid Thiong'o said his boxers are in good shape and ready for the competition.

"We have been training for several weeks after the Kenya Open Championships, which allowed my boxers to maintain their fitness levels," said Thiong'o.

Sombea Boxing Club is another Nakuru side that will feature in the tournament independently.