• BOXING

• Frank Rotich 26 days ago

Kenya’s Okwiri set for WBC Africa title fight in Nairobi

Kenyan boxer Rayton Okwiri will next month fight for the vacant WBC Africa middleweight title in a major bout set to take place in Nairobi.

The 39-year-old, popularly known as ‘Boom Boom’, will face Tanzanian boxer Lupakisyo Shoti during the “Knockout Kings” boxing event scheduled for April 25 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The event will be promoted by Solid Rock Promotions.

Okwiri heads into the fight with a strong professional record of 12 wins, one loss and one draw. The Kenyan star is currently on an impressive run of six fights without defeat and will be looking to continue that form in front of home fans.

His opponent Shoti, 26, has a record of nine wins and one loss. The Tanzanian turned professional in 2023 and last fought in November last year, when he won the IBO International middleweight title after beating Daniel Buciuc in Romania.

Okwiri had earlier hoped to secure a fight for the Commonwealth Boxing Council title after his dominant third-round victory over Uganda’s Muhamad Sebyala last November.

However, that opportunity did not materialise after British boxer George Liddard opted for another title defence in London.

Now, the upcoming fight for the World Boxing Council Africa belt presents Okwiri with another big opportunity to move closer to a major international title later this year.

The “Knockout Kings” card will also feature a number of Kenyan fighters including Martin Achebi, East and Central African heavyweight champion Morris “Maketho” Okolla and Dennis Okoth.

Achebi and Okolla recently impressed fans after winning their fights during the “Nightmare in Nairobi II” boxing event held in Nairobi last month.

The April showdown is expected to attract boxing fans from across the region as Okwiri aims to claim the WBC Africa crown on home soil.