Africa Zone 3 super heavyweight champion Elly Ajowi romped into the finals of President Jamal Boxing Tournament (Nairobi edition), after thumping Willy Busili of Kibra in the semis at the Charter Hall in Nairobi on Friday.
The Kenya Police officer has effectively set a date for a mouthwatering clash with fellow law enforcer David Njuguna on Saturday.
Njuguna outclassed Ken Ogutu of Thika on unanimous points decision to sail through.
Ajowi, however, chose to remain cautious ahead of the finals.
“I'm happy I'm through to the finals. Like I said earlier, we expect tough opposition in this competition given every boxer has come with eyes firmly fixed on a national team slot.
“I'm not going to make it easier for anyone. They must battle tooth and nail if they intend to fly the national flag,” said Ajowi after the bout.
But booking a slot in the national team won't be a walk in the park though, given the intensive nature of the selection process.
Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa said they will pick the top six pugilists in each category to proceed to the Kisumu edition, which will be held early next month.
“The six in each category will have another opportunity to prove their mettle in the second edition of the competition planned for Kisumu. We will then select the top two in each category to comprise the provisional Hit Squad,” said Musa.
“It's thereafter that we will hold a training camp and pick our final squad for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham,” added Musa.
In other bouts, Ajowi's Hit Squad teammate, Joshua Wasike, will flex muscles with David Njuguna in the final of the heavyweight category.
Wasike saw off Collins Nyakwaka of Prisons while Njuguna beat Ken Ogutu of Thika.
Shafi Bakari will lock horns with Mwinyi Kombo of Kongowea in the bantamweight after they cruised past Dennis Muthama (KDF) and Moses Mathuku (Prisons) respectively.
Joseph Shigali of Kenya Police will battle it out with Remmy Thiong'o of Muranga in the welterweight category. Shigali advanced to the next stage of the competition with an emphatic win over David Ochieng of Nairobi while Thiongo best Boniface Simiyu of Kajiado in a closely contested encounter.
Abednego Kyalo (KDF) will settle scores with Abdala Charo from Mombasa in the 48 kgs category after they cruised past Kibra's Joshua Maina and Silas Onyango of Nairobi in that order.
