Kaloleni clinches Jamhuri Day boxing crown in Nakuru
Nyahururu Boxing Club’s Brian Githinji (in red) tries to duck punches from Kaloleni’s Nelson Musa during their welterweight clash in the Jamhuri Day Boxing tournament held on December 11,2018 at Madison Square Garden, Nakuru. Musa won 3-0. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The Tuesday bout attracted three clubs at the famous Madison Square Garden, Nakuru.
- Nyahururu wins a single bout at the event.
- Kaloleni's Benjamin Ashikoya threw in the towel against Nakuru's Francis Kola without throwing a punch.
The fast rising Kaloleni Boxing Club clinched the Jamhuri Day Boxing title at the Madison Square Garden, Nakuru on Tuesday night.
The one day tournament attracted three clubs including hosts Nakuru Amateur Boxing Club, Kaloleni and Nyahururu.
Kaloleni under the guidance of former pugilist and probably one of the best known hard hitting boxers in the 1980s in Kenya, Peter “Dynamite” Odhiambo was in a class of its own.
Mike Ngugi of Kaloleni fighting in the bantamweight category pounded Nakuru’s Patrick Muoka into submission in an eventful opening bout. Ngugi started the contest by landing heavy punches on the head of his anguished opponent pushing him to ropes.
“I’m happy I have extended my winning ways in the domestic front and I hope to improve in the national competitions next year,” a delighted Ngugi said.
Nakuru avenged for this defeat in the welterweight clash when Vincent Gitahi hit Kaloleni’s Emmanuel Otieno to win on majority points verdict.
“It was a tough fight and I thank my opponent for stretching me to the limit,” said Gitahi.
Kaloleni suffered their second defeat of the night when Ignatius Omondi was forced to retire in the first round under a barrage of vicious punches from Nakuru’s Silas Ouma in a welterweight clash.
In the light welterweight category the enterprising Nelson Musa of Kalolenireduced Brian Githinji of Nyahururu into a massive punching bag.
Nyahururu turned the tables in the middleweight category when Luka Kanini made good use of his height advantage to land deadly blows on the face of Francis Otieno of Kaloleni to clinch the contest on a 3-0 verdict.
Nakuru won the light heavy weight clash without breaking a sweat when Francis Kola’s opponent Benjamin Ashikoya of Kaloleni developed a cold feet and failed to climb into the ring.
In the battle of heavies Valentine Mwinami ruled the space when he demolished Jared Mike of Nakuru who was forced to backpedal for most of the time before going down 3-0.
Full Results
Bantamweight: Patrick Muoka (Nku) lost to Mike Ngugi (Kaloleni) on pts
Welterweight: Vincent Gitahi beat Emmanuel Otieno (Kaloleni) on points; Silas Ouma (Nku) beat Ignatius Omondi (Kaloleni) retired first round
Light welterweight: Brian Githinji (Nhr) lost to Nelson Musa (Kaloleni) on points;
Middleweight: Luka Kanini (Nhr) beat Francis Otieno (Kaloleni) on points
Light heavyweight: Francis kola (Nku) w/o Benjamin Ashikoya (Kaloleni)
Heavyweight: Jared Mike (Nku) lost to Valentine Mwinami (Kalolonei) on points
