Review: KDF outpunch rivals Police in Nanyuki boxing leg

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Amateur Boxing Association (DEFABA) secured a resounding victory in the fourth leg of the Kenya National Boxing League, which concluded in Nanyuki on Saturday.

The tournament brought together top boxers from different teams, including Kenya Police and county representatives, all vying for national glory in an electrifying display of skill.

KDF’s boxers delivered a dominant performance, effectively fending off a fierce challenge from defending champions Kenya Police.

Despite Police’s relentless pursuit, KDF emerged victorious, clinching the top spot in Nanyuki with 24 points.

Police followed closely with 20 points, while Nairobi County secured third place with 13 points, and Prisons landed in fourth with 10 points.

This latest victory extends KDF's commanding lead in the national league, putting them at an unassailable 100 points.

Kenya Police and Nairobi County are now tied for second place with 46 points each, while Kibra trails in third with 23 points.

Prisons, once a powerhouse in Kenyan boxing, now faces a tough road ahead, sitting in fourth place overall with 17 points.

Fresh from Kinshasa with a bronze medal in the AFBC African Men's and Women's Boxing Championships, Robert Okaka put up a dominant show to outpoint battle-hardened Humphrey "Jakababa" Ochieng in a keenly contested light-heavyweight bout which saw Ochieng being counted twice and Okaka once by referee David Opiyo.

Throughout the three rounds, Okaka unleashed heavy artillery on the never-say-die Ochieng whose resilience enabled him last the full course.

Amina Martha, Kenya's first ever female boxer to win a medal in the African Games, maintained her unbeaten run locally stopping a helpless Dorah Mwakacharo in the first round of the bantamweight class.

Amina and Okaka were among the international boxers who won their fights in the finals. Others were featherweight Shaffi Bakari, female featherweight Pauline Chege, lightweight Ethan Maina, light-welterweight Aloice Vincent, middleweight George Cosby, cruiserweight Hezron Magaga and heavyweight Peter Abuti.

Nairobi's welterweight Francis Lenox was in a class of his own enroute to a deserved point’s victory over KDF's Fred Omondi.

The final leg of the league is set to take place from December 19-21 in Homa Bay, promising an exciting conclusion to a fiercely competitive season.

Meanwhile, KDF claimed victory in seven of the final 14 bouts at the boxing championships.

In the highlight match, Robert Okaka (KDF) solidified his position as East Africa’s leading light-heavyweight, defeating the seasoned Humphrey "Jakababa" Ochieng from Team Police. The intense bout saw both fighters struggling, with Ochieng being counted twice and Okaka once by referee David Opiyo.

In the heavyweight (92kg) division, Fred Onyango (KDF) achieved a notable upset by defeating Joseph Shigali (Police) with a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) decision. Meanwhile, Hezron Maganga (KDF) secured a 3-0 win over Abdi Sebi (Homa Bay) in the cruiserweight category, though Peter Abuti (KDF) was defeated, losing to Ibrahim Shikanda (Prisons) by an RSC-1 call in the heavyweight bout.

In the middleweight division, KDF’s Lucky Nyiro fell 3-0 to George Cosby (Police). In the light middleweight final, Alvin Oduor (KDF) outclassed Micheal Oduor (Nairobi) with a 3-0 score, while Fred Omondi (KDF) suffered a 3-0 loss to Nairobi’s Francis Lenox in the welterweight division.

In the light welterweight final, Joseph Gatambo (KDF) won by walkover after his opponent Aloyce Vincent (Police) was unable to compete. In the lightweight category, Ethan Maina (Police) narrowly defeated John Mwanzia (G44) with a 2-1 decision.

Sylus Onyango (Police) dominated Emmanuel Chondo (Nairobi) 3-0 in the minimum weight class, while Paul Omondi (Nairobi) clinched a close 2-1 victory over Moses Kilavuka (Prisons) in the flyweight category. Police’s Fred Amolo secured a 3-0 win over Ray Mwangi (Laikipia) in bantamweight, while Shaffi Bakari took a 3-0 victory over Boaz Ambuka (Vihiga) in featherweight.

 In the women’s bouts, Pauline Chege (KDF) won her match against Alice Waiyego (Nairobi) by RSC-1, and Amina Martha (Police) triumphed over Dora Mwakacharo (BM BC) in the same manner.