The year boxing had several bouts abroad but performance still wanting
Kenya’s local boxing calendar in 2021 was not as active due to challenges of the COVID-19 but foreign fights were several despite lackluster results on the ring.
The biggest stage was the July Tokyo Olympics which saw Kenya parade a total of seven pugilists to carry the flag of the country.
However, it did not go well for the local boxers after all were eliminated in quick succession, failing to go beyond the first fight.
Heavyweight Elly Ajowi and Elizabeth Akinyi suffered defeats in one sided bouts in the Japanese Capital.
At the same time, Kenya’s national lightweight champion Nick Okoth was also eliminated in round one.
In the World Boxing Championships held in October in Serbia, Kenyans were represented but they did not perform as per expectations. Kenya sent 13 pugilists to the global showpiece and the highest number by any African country in the competition.
National team
Most of the boxers were eying selection into the national team for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham, England in 2022.
In the local boxing scene, the interruptions of the lockdown and the ban on contact sports, saw no league action take place with Kenya Professional Boxing Commission and Boxing Federation of Kenya unable to host any meaningful competitions in the country due to restrictions.
Instead a couple of bouts especially outside the country were organized for professional boxers.
There was the Jamal Cup held at the Charter Hall,Nairobi on November 20 organized by the Boxing Federation of Kenya president Anthony Jamal Ombok.
The four-day national trials held out a bright future for the country, judging by the level of brilliance exhibited by budding boxers who gave seasoned Hit Squad members a run for their money.
