Boniface “The Hammer” Mogunde delivered an impressive performance, securing his place in the semi-finals of the Africa Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships held in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Mogunde became the eighth Kenyan boxer to qualify for the semi-finals, ensuring another medal opportunity for Kenya in the tournament.
In a brilliant showcase of skill and strategy, Mogunde outmaneuvered DR Congo’s Anderson Manzongo. Known for his swift footwork and precise punches, Mogunde occasionally dropped his guard but remained focused throughout the bout. Manzongo struggled to keep up with the Kenyan’s speed and technique, spending much of the three rounds swinging at thin air as Mogunde maintained control of the fight. Mogunde is set to face Morocco’s Abidine Amroug, who advanced after defeating Tanzania’s Saidi Kanenda in their quarter-final match.
Meanwhile, Robert Okaka, a pugilist from the Kenya Defence Forces, also secured a spot in the semi-finals by defeating Morocco’s Yassir Rigui in the light-heavyweight division. Okaka won by unanimous decision, showcasing his heavy punches to dominate the bout. After a cautious start in the first round, he unleashed a barrage of powerful punches in the second round, prompting Rigui to receive a standing count.
By the third round, Okaka’s aggression proved too much for Rigui, sending the Moroccan boxer to the canvas with a devastating right hand.
“I’m really happy to win this fight. I took my time to figure him out in the first round, then showed him I’m a tough Kenyan,” said an elated Okaka. The 25-year-old, who won bronze in the last Africa Championships in Yaounde, will now face Namibia’s Gebhard Ipinge in the semis.
Kenya’s featherweight contender, Shaffi Bakari, also advanced to the semi-finals after outpointing Sierra Leone’s Wisdom Barnor. Bakari will now meet Zambia’s Mwengo Mwale in the next round.
In another quarter-final clash, Vincent Ochieng convincingly beat Mali’s Traore Fousseyni to move to the semi-finals, where he will face South Africa’s John Paul Masamba. Ochieng, who hails from Mathare North Boxing Club, dedicated his victory to his mother in Kisumu.
“This win is for her,” said a proud Ochieng, who made his international debut at the African Games in Accra earlier this year.
Despite Kenya’s successes, there was disappointment for heavyweight boxer Peter Abuti, who lost on points to Gabon’s Mouandat Njinnou in a hard-fought quarter-final bout. Despite piling on clean shots, Abuti fell short of securing a spot in the semis and he joined Silus Onyango and Faith Nafuna to exit the competition early.
