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(AUG 11) The WAR boxing event at the
Shan Cinema in Ngara lived to its billing and fans at the venue were
treated to five competitive matchups on Saturday afternoon. Bringing
the house down as promised by the Co-promoters Timebomb Promotions
and Jab Productions the event showcased fights that were
entertaining.
In the double header, WBC International Super bantamweight Champion
Sande Otieno showed fans what the 'sweet science' really means by
taming the wily James Mokiwa of Tanzania with only body punches.
Rarely did Sande go for head shots, but he did enough to force
Mokiwa to retire in the fourth round.
Sande said in a post fight interview, “The plan was to weaken him
with body shots, then I would switch to his head to finish him off
in the late rounds.”
The co-main event had Douglas Otieno against another Tanzanian, Idd
Kigulla. Kigulla's clutching style had made it for Otieno to get
clean shots, and several times, the referee had to intervene to
separate the boxers. In the fourth round, Kigulla walked into his
opponent's left hook and tumbled to the canvas. Kigulla did not make
the count and the referee stopped the fight.
Fighting from behind his educated jab national featherweight
Champion John Gicharu forced his Tanzanian opponent, Karage Suba to
retire from the fight in round three. Karage's onslaught had Gicharu
on the defensive in the first round as he attacked the National
champion with a barrage of body shots. Gicharu picked up the pace in
the second round and using his jab well, he overcame the Tanzanian,
registering his third career knock out.
Nick 'Kanyankole' Otieno had a good fight against hard man Mika Elly.
The scheduled six rounder ended in the fifth round when the referee
stopped the fight to save the resilient Elly from further
punishment. Elly had just made an eight count in the same round, and
Kanyankole followed his advantage, cornering him in the corner with
over 12 continuous punches.
In the only female fight on the card, Benedetta Kaloki, 125.4, had
to make quick adjustments to overcome debut Sarah Achieng, 126.1.
Achieng came with all guns blazing in the first round, and managed
to rock Kaloki with some good overhand rights. Achieng who enjoyed a
better hand reach obviously won the first round, and fans thought
she would cause an upset against her opponent. However, quick fight
plan adjustments by her corner so her come on top in the remaining
three rounds. Fighting from outside well out of reach of the long
armed Achieng, Kaloki got her act together and picked of Achieng on
the back foot, scoring well and ensuring that her third professional
fight was sealed. Kaloki won by a majority decision, with final
scores of 39-39, 40-39, 40-39.
Three of the champions on the card are all preparing for
international title fights in the next two months. Kanyankole and
Sande will be traveling to the Philippines for a WBC International
flyweight and Super bantamweight titles respectively. Kanyankole
will face Fernando Lamuncad while Sande will battle another Pilipino
boxer Balweg Bangoyan on the same fight card in October. John
Gicharu is set for a date with Joni D'Alesandro in another title
fight in Germany next month.
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