Macharia punches his way into Africa Boxing Championships finals

Super heavyweight Clinton Macharia (in red) in their Africa Boxing Championships match against the Angolan in DRC.[Courtesy]

National super heavyweight champion Clinton Macharia has punched his way to the finals of the Africa Boxing Championships in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Macharia who was taking part in his first international assignment was a joy to watch in all the three rounds as he dispatched Jordison Luvo of Angola on unanimous points’ decision in the one sided match on Tuesday night.

He was good in defence and footwork and played as an experienced boxer most of the time.

At one point, Macharia appeared timid against the Angolan opponent who failed to use his height and weight advantage in the fight for top honours.

“Yes, I feared him over his big weight advantage compared to myself but I stood firm and kept my cool and calmness in the match and eventually emerged victorious. I’m happy to have done that,” Macharia told Standard Sports from Kinshasa.

“I was not disturbed by the cheap threats but got focused from the first to the last bell but I’m happy to have won at the end of it.”

Macharia who is better known to his estate-folks back at home as Abubakar Hakim is determined to improve on this performance as he intends to approach future matches cautiously.

“Future matches must be approached cautiously with lots of seriousness they deserve and I’m also equal to that task,” he said.

He felt good with the victory adding that it has encouraged him to do better in future international assignments.

“I look forward with great expectations in my future international assignments and I promise not to let Kenya down,” he said.

Macharia faces Bouhdid Younes of Morocco in the finals tomorrow.

The Moroccan had defeated Anyisa Apanu of DRC in the second semifinal match.

Meanwhile, seven Kenyan boxers were set to take on their opponents in semifinal matches last evening.

Captain Elizabeth Andiego was to meet Joelle Marie Mwika of DRC in the light heavyweight, deputy captain Boniface Mogunde was to face Amrouge Zine El Abidine of Morocco in light middleweight, Shaffi Bakari v Mwale Mwengo of Zambia in bantamweight, Robert Okaka v Ipinge Gebhard of Namibia in light heavyweight and light welterweight Alloice Vincent v John Paul Masamba of South Africa.

And flyweight Abednego Kyalo was set to clash with Valarie Fabrice Jean of Mauritius and bantamweight Amina Martha against Bisambu Bawo Merveille of DRC.