Kenyan boxer Daniel Wanyonyi has signed a sponsorship deal with Kenyan betting company Bet Nare, ahead of a return fight against Tanzanian opponent Karim Madonga alias Mtu Kazi.
Wanyonyi signed the deal on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Bet Nare offices, which will cover all his training expenses and stipends. He signed the deal ahead of a return fight against Madonga, slated for April 30, 2023.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Madonga exuded confidence in defeating his rival within the shortest time possible.
Wanyonyi lost a duel at home against Madonga in January, after he was technically knocked out in the fifth round of the show after he declined to return to the ring for the next round.
“It was tough fighting against Madonga. I was just pushing myself. I had not trained for long due to Covid-19. Things were also tough on my side. I had lost my Gikomba business through fire. Boxing was the last game to be re-opened (after Covid-19) and by the time I played Madonga I was not fit. When we fought he was at his peak, while I had not fought for over four years,” he said.
Wanyonyi had steered away from boxing for over four years and started a clothing business at Gikomba, before it was razed down by fire. This, he says, pushed him to the edge which made him not fit or the January fight against Madonga in January. He promised that the April fight will be a duel to prove himself and officially announce a return to the ring.
“This will be a big comeback. For now, I can focus because I’ve got a sponsorship from Bet Nare. My work is winning now. You will see a different Wanyonyi. Normally I do not go beyond two rounds. Madonga cannot beat me. I have fought better boxers. I will teach him boxing, something’s has never been taught. I will teach him for free, briefly,” he added.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Betnare’s Terrence Mutongerwa exuded confidence that Wanyonyi would “get back to his feet” after the sponsorship.
“Wanyonyi was the best person for us to support. He lost his stall in Gikomba and therefore this was the right thing to do. We want to nurture him and grow with him. We started the relationship, he lost (against Madonga). He won (against Charles Kakande of Uganda) we still kept the relationship. The journey which we are on is showing the Kenyan people that we are a caring brand by supporting him,” Terrence said.
“When we decide that Bet Nare is no more, that’s when we stop but we are also looking for more talent.”
In February, Betnare came to the aid of cash-strapped Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Vihiga Bullets, after being stranded at the Nyayo Stadium after their match against AFC Leopards and had to send an appeal for help to raise money for fuel back to western Kenya.
