Renowned boxer and coach John ‘Jonte’ Gicharu is dead aged 44

Celebrated boxing legend, coach and founder of Ruaraka Boxing Club, (RBC), John Gicharu alias ‘Jonte’ has died aged 44.

The news of Gicharu’s death was confirmed by the Kenya Boxing Federation (KBF).

In a statement, KBF said Gicharu died on Monday, July 15, 2024, at the Dandora Phase Two Hospital while receiving treatment after a short illness.

“The boxing fraternity has lost an Icon, who passed on yesterday at Dandora Phase Two Hospital. John ‘Jonte’ Gicharu was the greatest community boxing coach of all time! Former amateur then turned professional boxer and served as Head Coach of Ruaraka Boxing Club until his demise,” read the message from KBF.

The former Kenyan boxer founded the Ruaraka Boxing Club in 2015 to tap the talent of youth in Korogocho slum, after quitting professional boxing with a record of 15 wins (7 KOs), 10 losses and two draws.

His club is said to have churned out several good boxers such as Brian Omondi, Cavel Kusimba, Rohit Muluku and Chrispine Ochanda.

His main aim was to help the youth to stay away from idleness, drug abuse and criminal gangs, while emphasizing the importance of education as he highlighted that he decided not to attend high school after finishing his primary school education at Ngunyuma Primary School in 1996.

Gicharu started his boxing journey in 1999 at Bangladesh Boxing Club in Kariobangi under coach Ben Addoh.

After three months, he was thrown onto the ring and went on to win on points against renowned journalist Muraya Kariuki.

He turned professional in 2005 while training at Palpal Gym in Pumwani Social Hall, and in 2007, he defeated Musa Njue to punch his way to the national Featherweight title at Charter Hall, under coach Kevin Mulama.