National Boxing League: Police off to a banger

Former champions Kenya Police stamped their authority in the first leg of the 2025 National Boxing League, held over the weekend in Busia by winning in eight finals out of 13.

The law enforcers dominated proceedings, emerging top of the standings with 24 points—ten clear of their nearest challengers, Nairobi County, who garnered 14 points. Nakuru County followed in third place with 10 points.

Kisumu County finished fourth with nine points, narrowly ahead of hosts Busia, Nakuru Amateur Boxing Club, Githurai 44 Club, Kiambu, and Vihiga Counties, who all tied in sixth place.

Notably absent from the opening leg were defending champions Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and former titleholders Kenya Prisons. Both teams cited technical issues that prevented them from participating, depriving fans of a potentially thrilling showdown between traditional boxing powerhouses.

However their absence paved the way for Kenya Police to cruise through the opening leg and establish an early lead in their quest to reclaim the title. Last season, the Police team had skipped two rounds, handing KDF the championship.

With the early advantage, Kenya Police have set the tone for the remainder of the league. The pressure will now be on KDF and Kenya Prisons to return in the next leg in Mombasa on July 17-19 and try to reclaim ground in what promises to be a highly competitive 2025 season.

Final Bouts – Results by Category

Minimum Weight

•            Silas Onyango (Police) outclassed Maurice Maina (Nairobi) with a dominant 3:0 win.

Flyweight

•             Diouf Muimi (Police) defeated Emmanuel Chodo (Nairobi) in a clean 3:0 decision.

Bantamweight

•             Paul Omondi (Police) beat Linus Mwangi (Nakuru) convincingly, 3:0.

•             Shaffi Bakari (Police) proved too strong for Eutycus Wanjau (Githurai 44), winning 3:0.

•             Ethan Maina (Police) stopped Brucelly Okello (Nakuru) in Round 1 with a technical knockout.

•             Emmanuel Omollo (Police) edged Caleb Wandera (Nakuru) in a close 2:1 decision.

•             Victor Odhiambo (Kisumu) beat Wiseman Kivondo (Nairobi) in a commanding 3:0 win—Kisumu’s only final victory.

Light Middleweight

•             Francis Lenox (Nairobi) delivered a stunning knockout against Martin Onyango (Kisumu) to claim victory.

•             George Cosby (Police) swept aside Oundo John (Busia) with a unanimous 3:0 score.

•             Humphrey Ochieng (Police) outpointed Oliver Omondi (Nakuru) 3:0.

•             Ken Ogutu (Kiambu) secured a 3:0 win over Ken Otieno (Nairobi), bringing pride to Kiambu County.

•            James Muhu (Nairobi) won a narrow 2:1 decision against Joseph Otieno (Kisumu), wrapping up the final match of the tournament.