WBF champion Okwiri set to fight for WBA title

Rayton Okwiri during a fight in March. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

World Boxing Federation (WBF) Africa middleweight champion Rayton Okwiri is set for a world title fight in September, officials have confirmed.

Okwiri is set to face a Canadian boxer in a World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight title fight in Port Louis, Mauritius according to Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) President Reuben Ndolo.

“It’s a done deal and we expect him (Okwiri) to go for a world title after his recent victories. We’ll confirm the opponent soon,” said Ndolo.

The confirmation came days after Okwiri defeated Limbani Chikapa of Malawi in a four round non-title fight on points at Boxing and Jammin III in Moka, Mauritius last weekend.

Okwiri’s victory come exactly two months dismissing Tanzania’s Meshack ‘Smart Boy’ Mwankemwa in a high-octane bout at the KICC in April.

It was a weekend that also saw upcoming super welterweight sensational Martin Achebi beat Luca Finon of Mauritius in another Africa welterweight non-title fight won on points.

Ndolo welcomed the two victories saying it’s a step in the right direction.

“We are happy with the two wins, which has opened doors for more fights for Kenyan boxers in future international assignments,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Sub Saharan Boxing Association will hold elections in September in Port Louis.

“We’ll participate in these polls to secure our representation within the Sub-Saharan Africa in the interest of our professional boxers,” said Ndolo.

And in the amateur scene, two Kenyan boxers won silver medals in the Seychelles National Day Boxing Championships held in Port Louis.

They were national light heavyweight sensation Humphrey ‘Jakababa’ Ochieng’ and super heavyweight Clifton Macharia.