Ramadhan Idd and Javan Buyu square up at the Ultra-Fitness Gym along Ngong' Road/HANDOUT
Kenya’s Javan Buyu is eyeing the biggest victory of his professional career when he takes on Tanzania’s Idd Ramadhani for the UBO Inter-Continental lightweight title at the Edge Convention on Saturday.
The 11-bout card, promoted by Maurice Odera under UFS BXNG and sponsored by SportPesa, offers Buyu the chance to claim his third professional title and become one of the few Kenyan boxers to capture an intercontinental belt.
Buyu heads into the contest full of confidence after a three-month training camp, saying he and his team have left nothing to chance.
“I’ve been working and praying for this title. My team and I have worked tirelessly for July 25 and we’re ready. We’ve sharpened every aspect of our game that’s needed to get the victory,” Buyu said.
The national and Pugilist Syndicate of Tanzania (PST) lightweight champion has focused on improving his footwork, counter-punching and body shots, believing the extra work will make the difference against the experienced Tanzanian.
“This title is very important to me because it will motivate people who are starting boxing and those who look up to me. It will also open doors for me to compete on bigger stages around the world,” he said.
Buyu, who won the national title against Christopher Osicho in October last year before adding the PST belt with a third-round technical knockout over Tanzania’s Nasoro Madimba earlier this year, has studied Ramadhani extensively.
“I’ve watched some of his clips. He’s a good boxer and I’d rate him seven out of 10, but I have everything I need to make him quit,” he said.
“I’m promising him a good fight and a good show. Boxing is more of a mental competition than a physical one and he should be ready to accept the loss.”
Despite the confidence, Buyu refused to reveal how he expects the fight to end.
“I’ll let the fans come and watch how I’m going to win,” he said.
The Kenyan also praised SportPesa and UFS BXNG for helping elevate professional boxing by giving local fighters opportunities to compete for major honours.
“I want to thank SportPesa for this great opportunity. They are helping improve boxing in Kenya and giving athletes like me a chance to showcase ourselves. I’m proud to represent both Kenya and SportPesa,” said Buyu, who aims to complete the journey on behalf of his late father whose main fights were in the amateur ranks while at Maranda High School.
He hailed promoter Odera and UFS BXNG for driving the sport’s growth.
“UFS BXNG and Maurice Odera have made boxing visionary in Kenya. I can see their mission is to elevate boxing in Africa and I’m proud to be part of it,” he added.
Ramadhani, however, insists he is in Nairobi to spoil the party and take the belt back to Tanzania.
“I want to tell him to prepare himself because Ramadhani Iddi is not a joke boxer,” he said.
The Tanzanian, who has won nine of his 10 professional bouts, believes Buyu has not faced an opponent of his calibre and pointed to their shared opponent, Martin Shekevuli, as proof.
“Buyu struggled against Martin Shekevuli, but I knocked him out. That tells you the difference,” Ramadhani said.
The challenger said his only defeat came on points to Russian Levan Kasaia in Poland and believes that experience has prepared him for this fight.
“I’ve been in training for almost three months and everything is under control. I’ve been sent from home and I believe I’ll return with the belt because the belt must go home,” he said.
Ramadhani also urged officials to ensure fair officiating.
“If Javan wins, give him the belt. If I, Ramadhani, win, give me the belt. That’s all I ask.”
