Sh0.2bn! This is what Okwiri stands to win in his pro debut

Kenya Prisons’ boxer Rayton Okwiri during a past Inter-services bout against Nick Ambaka (not in picture) of the Kenya Defence Forces at Charter Hall, Nairobi. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Local federation stands to get 30 per cent of the earnings
  • Bantamweight Gicharu will earn Sh267,000 when he makes his professional debut in Argentina against home boxer Alberto Melial in the first pre-ranking fight.

Two of Kenya’s boxing champions, bantamweight Benson Gicharu of Kenya Police and welterweight Rayton Okwiri of Kenya Prisons stand to reap big as they turn professional.

The two will reap big when they compete in the inaugural edition of AIBA pro-boxing pre-ranking competitions, starting from October 24. Okwiri stands to earn up to Sh200 million should he clinch the AIBA pro-boxing welterweight title in January.

But first, he will have to get past the prequalifying rounds. His first professional fight will be against Austrian Marcos Nabar at Almaty, Kazakhstan, on October 25. Okwiri’s opponent is a former professional pugilist who has fought in 25 bouts.

Bantamweight Gicharu will earn Sh267,000 when he makes his professional debut in Argentina against home boxer Alberto Melial in the first pre-ranking fight.

EXPERIENCED BOXER

Melial has competed in nine AIBA World Series of Boxing (WSB) semi-professional, winning eight fights. “I will leave nothing to chance as I begin my professional journey,” said Okwiri who trains alongside Daniel Sisia at the Kaloleni Social Hall under coaches James Oduori and Maurice Maina.

“I will be paid US$ 5000 (Sh445,000) for each of the two pre-ranking events set for October and November 20-23 and World Ranking competition on December 18-21 whether I win or lose.”

He added: “Should I get past the pre-ranking stage and reach the World APB Champion title matches between January 29 to February 1, I will get US$ 2.2m (about Sh200 million ) for a win or  US$ 1.5 million (about Sh133.5 million) for losing.”

Kenya Boxing Association stands to get 30 per cent of the boxers’ earnings. The two boxers are awaiting the arrival of their official coaches who were undergoing training in Italy.

The four coaches, two for each boxer, are expected to back today. There are 80 pugilists in all, eight in each category.