After winning Kenyan hearts at the Nairobi Fight Night, Rayton ‘Boom Boom ‘ Okwiri will have a title shot on June 8 at Charter Hall, Nairobi. Boom Boom is set to take on Tanzanian Hussein Itaba for the vacant Africa Boxing Union (ABU) middleweight title.
In his professional career, the 33-year-old has only lost once and won four times. The Prisons officer said that his preparations for his maiden continental title shot have been smooth under former heavyweight Daniel Shisia.
Boom Boom has been alternating his training sessions between his Kenya Prisons, Kenya Defence Forces and Kenya Police stables. The boxer said he has not stopped training since his last bout on 23rd March.
When he last graced the ring, Okwiri knocked out Tanzanian Pascal Bruno in the third of their scheduled eight rounds. The non title bout saw the only Knock Out of the night as other fights ended in technical Knock outs while Zarika’s title bout had to be decided by the judges.
Itaba, Okwiri’s opponent who boosts of 6-3-2 record, has fought twice this year where he lost to Hungarian Mate Kis through a knockout in Hungary on February 22, before he also chalked a knockout against fellow countryman Omari Minyangi on March 9 in Dar es Salaam.
““I have watched clips from his previous bouts hence can’t underrate him. He is taller and has a good reach but that doesn’t worry me,” Okwiri said about his opponent.
The prisons officer will be looking for a victory which will boost his morale as his manager Anthony Waithaka has lined up several title fights for him later this year.
After the June 8 bout, Okwiri, who represented Kenya in the Rio 2016 Olympics, is likely to challenge for the Commonwealth Boxing Council middleweight belt before the end of this year. Briton Felix Cash is the current holder of the belt, having knocked out Nigerian Rasheed Abolaji on February 2, this year to don the vacant title.
On June 8, the extravaganza dubbed ‘Redemption Fight Night’ will not only include the Okwiri vs Itaba fight as it will be supported by four explosive bouts starting from 6 pm.
Boxing in Kenya has been improving in terms of fan support and Okwiri will be banking on home fans support to succeed at his bout. Kenyans turned up in large numbers to witness his last bout as well as Fatuma ‘Iron Fist’ Zarika who was also fighting on the same night.
Read: Pro-Ruto Kiambu MCA in court over graffitied van
With the piece of entertainment he gave those present on March 23rd, Okwiri won fans’ hearts especially after knocking out The Prince of Kilimanjaro.
JUNE 8 FIGHT CARD:
Anderson Sifuna v Michael Nyawade (super featherweight, six rounds); Fred Nyakesha v Nicholas Mwangi (super lightweight, eight rounds); James Onyango v Hamisi Maya (Welterweight, eight rounds); Morris Okolla v Alphonse Muchimuatumbo (heavyweight, six rounds); Rayton Okwiri v Hussein Itabe (vacant ABU middleweight belt, 10 rounds)
Leave a comment