Following a second successful boxing night in Nairobi in two month's plans are afoot to stage more events across the country as part of a wider project to boost the popularity and community engagement of the sport.
Over the weekend the Kenyans, Ugandans and Tanzanians boxed it out at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani Indoor Arena in a six-bout fight card.
This featured Tanzanian hype master Karim 'Mtu Kazi' Mandonga, who went toe-to-toe with Kenneth Lukyamuzi before the Tanzanian overcame his Ugandan opponent on a split decision.
Kenyan veteran 'Kanyankole' Otieno fell to upcoming Tanzania Hassan Ndonga on a split decision, while Albert Kimaru of Kenya got the better of Tanzanian soldier George Bonabucha.
Kenya's Daniel Wanyonyi, who fell to Mandonga in January, dispensed Ugandan veteran Charles Kakande in a first-round knockout.
Another veteran of the game, Kenya's Consolata Musanga relinquished her title to Tanzania's Fatuma Yazidu while Kenyan upstart, Plaxedus Oduori, registered her second win in as many bouts, beating Tanzania's Zawadi Kutaka.
Among the fight's sponsors were Multichoice and BetNare, who have promised to work with KPBC and other stakeholders in promoting further fights in Nairobi and beyond.
"We are in consultation with Kenya Professional Boxing organisers and the promoters to see how we can work together to have events in other parts of the country," said BetNare CEO Terence Mutongerwa.
"We have had two very successful events in Nairobi and it is clear that the sport is loved by many and it’s growing in popularity. Now we need to take more events to other parts of the country. It was also great to hear that Nancy Matimu (MD Multichoice) is also looking into developing sports as a whole."
"We are committed to helping rebuild the sport, which was at one time very popular. We want to help unearth fresh talent to fill the gloves that were once worn by the likes of Robert Wangila," added Mutongerwa.
