Boxers promoted to national intermediate championships

Anthony Kariuki (left) Nakuru in action against Travis Onyango of Nairobi, at Nyayo National Stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Boxers who reached the finals of the National Novices Championships, earned promotion to the National Intermediate Championships, which will be held at Charter Hall in Nairobi, next month.

This promotion gives them a chance to participate in the second prestigious amateur national tournament before they qualify for the National Boxing League.

This means that six female and 26 male boxers will fight for top honours next month as they aim for the pinnacle of Kenya's boxing category.

The six female boxers are lightweight Immaculate Atieno of Siaya, who defeated Sylvia Obwamu of Nairobi, welterweight Juliet Opondo of Siaya, who beat Valentine Adhiambo of Kiambu and flyweight Jane Wangare of Nairobi, who overcome teammate Vivian Atieno.

All bouts were won on points.

Boxing Federation of Kenya Technical Director Albert Matito said they are ready for the National Intermediate Championships.

“The federation has only promoted novice finalists to feature in the national intermediate championships before we select those who will compete in the league championships,” Matito told Standard Sports.

In some of the matches, flyweight Abdalla Juma of Mombasa A lost to John Gachanja of Nairobi A, while William Malawi of Nairobi A defeated Harun Kamau of Nairobi B in the minimum weight bout.

The availability of top weight boxers proved the game is spreading faster at the grassroots.

In the light middleweight (71kg), Michael Oduor of Nairobi beat Eldrick Masika of Mombasa on points to pave way for the middleweight (75kg) bout pitting Elvis ouya of Homabay and Nick Okwaro of Mombasa. Okwaro won the match after the referee stopped the contest.

In the cruiserweight (86kg), Glenstone Agade of Kenya Prisons A knocked-out teammate Steve Musyimi.