The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) amassed 25 points to win the second leg of the National Boxing League in Meru county over the weekend.
KDF turned the tables on their fiercest rivals and defending champions Kenya Police who outgunned them in the first leg of the competition.
The result now means that KDF and Kenya Police will extend their rivalry to the remaining three legs to determine who will claim this year's bragging rights.
The teams will travel to Nanyuki in Laikipia county for the third round which is expected to take place on October 27-29. Mombasa County will host the fourth phase of the league from November 10-12 before the final round in Kisumu from December 1-3.
The Kenya Police team also known as Chafua Chafua came out on top in the first leg held in Kitale earlier this month but dropped their guards in the second round to emerge second with 21 points.
Nairobi county shrugged off financial constraints to emerge third with 13 points. The city's boxers had to wait until the last minute to travel to Meru for the event due to a lack of funds.
G44, who faced a similar challenge, tied with the hosts Meru county in fourth place, both scoring five points. Kisumu county and Dallas both took sixth place in the tournament after collecting two points each while Siaya county finished at the bottom after failing to get any points.
The Kenyan Police Team, Chafua Chafua, had won the first leg held in Kitale earlier this month. BFK communications director, Duncan Kuria, said the small number of participants in the second round in Meru county is worrying.
A total of 57 male and 10 female boxers participated in the three-day event that concluded at the weekend.
This is a big drop compared to the turnout in the first round in Kitale earlier in the month, where 84 boxers showed up, including 75 men and nine women.
"The results have been moderate due to financial difficulties and transition problems in the government, especially in the County," Kuria said.
Similar concerns had previously been shared by BFK Secretary General David Munuhe who said he was scared that financial constraints could lock out some teams from the remaining legs.
When asked if the winners will claim any prizes, Kuria said it will all depend on the generosity of BFK President Anthony Jamal Ombok.
"It depends on the state of the economy. It is the president taking it out of his pocket. Last time, he offered 100k, 75k and 50k for the top three teams.
