Kimani out to defend WBF featherweight title

Kenya’s Francis Kimani puts his World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) junior featherweight title on line against Tanzanian Furaha Mapepe on Mashujaa Day at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

The day will also see Kenya’s Twalib “Tanker”Mubiru take on Tanzanian Tasha Mjuaji for the vacant Commonwealth Africa bantamweight title.

Kimani won the title when he knocked out home pugilist Bazila Ngosa in the third of their scheduled 10 round bout at on June 8, last year at the Arthur Davies Stadium, Kitwe, Zambia.

The 25-year-old Kimani boasts of six wins, one loss and two draws (6-1-2) while Mapepe has a record of seven wins, four loses and two draws.

Peter Kuya of Osaga Promotion said preparations for the bout are on course with visiting boxers set to arrive on Wednesday next week. “The respective boxers have stepped up their training in readiness for the show that will have three support bouts,” said Kuya.

Lack of sponsorship has forced Kimani out of the ring with his last bout coming on Jamhuri Day last year when he knocked out Anderson Sifuna in a non-title bout in Nairobi.

In contrast, Mapepe has been busy this year, having featured in four fights, winning three and drawing once. In his last outing, Mapepe claimed a unanimous victory over fellow countryman Felix Mwangosi in a non-title six rounder on June 20, this year at Sativa Hall, Mbeya, Tanzania.

Will Mubiru be lucky this time around? He goes into his 12 round title bout, boasting a 12-7-0 record. Mubiru has unsuccessfully vied for the Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) World bantamweight title twice and African Boxing Union bantamweight title one.

Mjuaji is equally experienced and skilful, having a 14-4-0 record to his credit. However, this is the first time Mjuaji is taking a shot at a major title.

In one of the support bouts, Jane Kavulani (16-14-2), who has once vied for the prestigious World Boxing Council bantamweight and super bantamweight titles, will square it out with Everline Odera (6-8-2) in a featherweight six-round non-title bout.

Rukia Nasirite will face Joyce Awino in a six-round lightweight contest while Kenya’s Morris Okola (6-2-0) will meet Tanzanian Banki Makalebela (13-1-0) in an eight-round non-title heavyweight bout.