Okwiri loses fight after injury

The much-awaited IBF Super Welterweight title fight clash in Johannesburg pitting Kenya’s boxing sensation and Africa Super- Middleweight Division reigning Champion Rayton Okwiri and DR Congo’s Emmany Kalombo was cut short after the former quit in Round 7 of the scheduled 12 rounds.

 It was a fairly balanced bout between the two African pugilists before Okwiri called in the towel following an apparent right finger injury thus a technical knockout win given to Kalombo.

This was the first loss in the 36-year-old Okwiri’s professional career in his eight big bouts since his debut in 2017 (8-1-1).

The opening rounds seemed to favour the Kenya Prisons O¡ icer with his swift movement and quick heavy jabs almost rattling the taller opponent who is now at 16-1 in his category.

Kalombo then picked up momentum in the latter stages of the bout with his style and pace as he cornered Okwiri before the Kenyan Olympian finally retired with the injury.

Kalombo was throwing heavy jabs while Okwiri was good at ducking and going for body shots. It was a battle of points with both trying as hard as possible to avoid damage, especially in the early rounds.

The pair looked calm and composed ahead of the bout and before the fight had exuded confidence each eyeing to oust the other at the ring.

This was the headline event in the Gallery-Sandton, Johannesburg in a bout promoted by South African Sifiso Shongwe and supervised by Lehlohonolo Ramagole.

The 12-round event was witnessed by hundreds of supporters in the ring. Analysts predict that Okwiri would possibly call for a rematch to try and get the belt and honour before long.

Okwiri made his professional debut on February 4, 2017, defeating Salehe Mkalekwa at the Crowne Plaza, Nairobi.

He won the African Boxing Union middleweight title in his sixth pro fight on June 8, 2019, beating Hussein Itaba.