Kenya's Javan Buyu goes through the final details of his fight contract ahead of Saturday's UBO Intercontinental lightweight title against Tanzania's Ramadhan Idd (C) /MUIGAI KIGURU
The gloves are off for a blockbuster night of boxing as Nairobi braces for 12 explosive contests at the Edge Convention Centre in South C on Saturday, with Kenya's Javan Buyu and Uganda's Catherine Nanziri leading a star-studded SportPesa Boxing featuring some of East Africa's finest fighters.
Promoted by Maurice Odera under UFS BXNG and sponsored by SportPesa, the event will feature two title fights and 10 supporting bouts involving boxers from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The main event will see Kenya's national and East Africa lightweight champion Buyu face Tanzania's Ramadhan Idd for the vacant UBO Intercontinental lightweight title over 10 rounds.
Victory would hand Buyu the biggest title of his professional career and further strengthen his standing on the continental scene.
Buyu heads into the contest full of confidence after an intensive training camp and believes he has done enough to emerge victorious on home soil.
"I have worked on my tactics and I'm ready. On Saturday night I believe I will lift the belt," said Buyu.
His opponent is equally confident, dismissing the prospect of leaving Nairobi empty-handed and has promised an aggressive approach.
"I didn't come here to play. I'm taking the belt back to Tanzania," he said.
The co-main event pits Uganda's Catherine Nanziri against Tanzania's Husna Said for the vacant Pugilist Syndicate of Tanzania (PST) lightweight title.
Nanziri is chasing a fourth professional belt, having already won the Ugandan national, East and Central Africa and Africa Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight titles.
The Ugandan believes her preparations under former Olympian coach Sam Rukundo have put her in prime condition despite receiving the opportunity at short notice.
"I've been in camp for two months and I'm ready. I want to win this title and take it home to Uganda," said Nanziri.
She also carries a psychological edge after beating Said on her professional debut, although the Tanzanian has vowed to turn the tables and return home with the title.
Beyond the championship bouts, the undercard offers a series of regional match-ups, including Kenya's Jane Kavulani against Ethiopia's Roman Asefa in a women's featherweight contest and John Juma's super lightweight clash with Tanzania's Amon Thobias.
Fighters from Morocco, Uganda, Tanzania, DR Congo and Kenya will also feature across the remaining bouts.
Fight Card UBO Intercontinental Lightweight Title (10 rounds): Javan Buyu (Kenya) vs Ramadhan Idd (Tanzania)
PST Lightweight Title (8 rounds): Catherine Nanziri (Uganda) vs Husna Said (Tanzania)
Super Lightweight (8 rounds): John Juma (Kenya) vs Amon Thobias (Tanzania)
Super Middleweight: Lucien Botumbe (DR Congo) vs Furaha Andengenye (Tanzania)
Super Welterweight (6 rounds): Michael Oduor (Kenya) vs Furaha Mapepe (Tanzania)
Light Heavyweight (6 rounds): Ignatius Onyango (Uganda) vs Musa Najib (Kenya)
Featherweight (4 rounds): Alice Waiyego (Kenya) vs Mercy Acayo (Uganda)
Flyweight (4 rounds): Jin Shen (Kenya) vs Calvin Omondi (Kenya)
Featherweight (4 rounds): Hamza Bounabri (Morocco) vs Jamal Hathuwani (Kenya)
Featherweight (4 rounds): Roman Asefa (Ethiopia) vs Jane Kavulani (Kenya)
Super Middleweight (4 rounds): Nasro Habib (Morocco) vs Nicodemus Hagai (Kenya)
Super Welterweight (6 rounds): Teddy Murimi (Kenya) vs Meshack Okuku (Kenya)
