Elite Dar boxers target top honours in Nairobi
Tanzania’s top female boxer Asha Ngedere (left) in action during a past non-title bout against Happy Daud at the PTA Hall, Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Tanzania’s Nzoia, who lost to Kenya’s Fatuma Zarika – WBC champion title-holder – is among six local boxers who are in Nairobi for bouts
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s top female boxer Asha Nzoa faces a tricky task when she takes on Kenyan Consolata Musanga in Nairobi today.
Nzoa, who is ranked 123rd in the world in the lightweight category, has promised to impose her hard-hitting antics on her opponent in the six-round bout.
“I know the fight will not be easy, but I know the battle is well within my expectation,” she told The Citizen by phone from Nairobi yesterday.
Nzoia is among six Tanzanian professional boxers who are in Kenya for title and non-title bouts.
In 2015, Nzoia lost to Kenya’s Fatuma Zarika – the WBC champion title-holder – by Knock-Out (KO) in Nairobi.
Tanzania’s Fred George is also be in action today against Kenyan Aziz Kolombo in a 10-round cruiserweight fight.
George, who lost by Technical Knock-Out (TKO) to Suriya Tatakhun of Thailand in the World Boxing Organisation (WBC)-Asia Pacific featherweight fight in 2015, said yesterday that he was in great shape.
His compatriot Karage Suba takes on Daniel Wanyonyi of Kenya in the middleweight bout, while Fred Sayuni faces Kenyan George Onyango in the lightweight fight.
Jamhuri Said, another top Tanzanian female boxer, takes on Kenya’s Mary Muthoni in the middleweight four-round bout.
The day will also see Abdallah Luanja taking on James Onyango in the welterweight four-round fight.
Tanzania Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC) secretary general, Yahya Poli said yesterday that the boxers were in high spirits, raring to win their respective bouts.
“I expect all of them to be successful tomorrow (today). I can’t wait to see things going as per our expectations,” said Poli.
He added: “Coaches worked on the boxers’ understanding and listening abilities during their training sessions.
“Their coaches have laid out a strategy to ensure they (boxers) leave the ring with convincing victories.”
The bouts, which have been sanctioned by Kenya Professional Boxing Commission, take place at AV Fitness Gymnasium.
Tanzanian boxers have been in Nairobi since early this week for the fights, which have been organised by Julius Odhiambo of Team Boxing Promotion.
