Zone Three Championships: Kenya’s ‘Hit Squad’ start with a bang

Kenya’s boxing team ‘Hit Squad’ made a strong start to the Africa Zone Three boxing championship being held in Congo with team captain ‘Commander’ Nick Okoth leading by example by winning his featherweight contest against compatriot Martin Oduor on points in the 57kg category.

However four of the 11 nations failed to show up for the competition due to stringent travel protocols in their countries, rolled out as a result of Covid-19 pandemic.

The quartet are; Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Morocco which leaves the hosts Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Mozambique and Libya as the only competing teams.

However in the ring it was a good show for Kenya with Joseph Shigali defeating Pembele Zola of DRC on points in the lightweight contest as Africa Games 2019 welterweight bronze medalist Boniface Mugunde of Kenya also defeated Jean Onana Ngah of Cameroon on unanimous decision points decision in their 69kg category.

Shaffi Bakari Hassan also won his first bout of the championship on points against fellow countryman David Karanja in the 52kg category.

Ilunga Kabange of DRC was also emerged victorious defeating Cameroonian Issouhou Mouhaman on points decision.

Muntu Biakulolowa of DRC defeated Bilondo Masala of Congo Brazzaville on points in bout 11, a fight that was officiated by Kenyan referee Nelson Otieno.

In another fight, Lunata Nathan of DRC won the featherweight contest against Mbolo Excellent of Congo Brazzaville on points while Sangue Christian of Cameroon knocked out Victor Odhiambo of Kenya in the lightweight preliminary contest.

The championship which is being held in a military facility, behind closed doors, in line with Covid-19 protocols, will end on 26th March 2021.