▪️National team head coach Musa Benjamin includes 19 ambitious debutants among them sensational brothers Ben and Chris Juma, Dennis Muthama, promising southpaw Grace Atieno and former street girl Damacline Boyani
▪️ Boxing Federation of Kenya makes history hosting the inaugural WB African Championships fully funded by the govenment.

September 24, 2026

A powerful squad of 39 highly motivated Kenyan boxers—28 men and 11 women—is set to storm the ring at the inaugural WB African Boxing Championships from October 12–22, 2026, at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, Nairobi.

National team head coach Musa Benjamin unveiled the formidable roster today, highlighting a massive youth surge with 19 fierce debutants eager to make their mark on the international stage. This historic Nairobi tournament operates under the banner of African Boxing, an affiliate of World Boxing, formed chiefly as a vehicle to carry boxers safely to the Olympic Games.

The rookie contingent features some of the country’s most explosive rising talent. Among those earning their maiden national vests are sensational Kasarani Youth lightweight Ben Juma, his promising young brother Chris Juma, and KDF’s reigning Africa Military Games bantamweight champion Dennis Muthama.

The men’s debutant lineup brings serious firepower:

Morris Kimani: A slick, elusive flyweight southpaw out of Kasarani Youth.

Morris Odhiambo: The stubborn G44 bantamweight who sent shockwaves through the league after rocking the formidable Muthama in Mombasa.

Emmanuel Omollo: The relentless southpaw, reigning national lightweight champion from Police who has moved up to welterweight.

George Ayacko: KDF’s super-heavyweight, fresh off a stunning upset victory over African silver medalist Clinton Macharia.

Rounding out the rookies: Samuel Ndiema, Police middleweight Steve Onyango, former Kajiado standout Lawrence Ombwochi now at KDF, Ruaraka’s sharp-shooting Francis Lennox, flyweight Abdallah Juma, Prisons gritty southpaw Chris Musyoki and cruiserweight enforcer Victor Okeke.

The women’s newcomer list boasts inspiring stories and lethal skill:

Grace Atieno: The gritty light-flyweight southpaw representing Githurai Thailand showed her mettle in the Robert Wangila Memorial Cup finals outclassing Damacline Boyani

Damacline Boyani: A resilient former street girl turned Kasarani Youth boxing prodigy boasting two wins over Prisons international Jane Wangare.

Juliet Akinyi: The giant-killer from Kisumu who shocked Kenya’s boxing fraternity by conquering experienced international Elizabeth Akinyi during a fiery league clash in Vihiga.

Both Akinyis are locked into a stacked middleweight division and will face the might of the Nigerians.

Elizabeth Akinyi returns to the national fold for the first time since the 2023 Women’s World Championships in India, setting up a blockbuster, rematch in Kisumu this November against her namesake Juliet.

Anchoring this hungry young squad is a battle-tested core of decorated elite campaigners, including:

Veronica “Pioneer” Mbithe & Lencer Akinyi: The commanding flyweight anchors with Mbithe holding the 2025 Africa Zone 3 title and Africa Military Games silver medal.

Amina Martha: The African Games bantamweight bronze medalist unbeaten locally since 2019.

Boniface “The Hammer” Mogunde: The devastating, reigning African Champion unbeaten locally for eight years and is the captain of the team.

Edwin Okong’o: The explosive African Games middleweight champion. He’s a former basketballer.

Shaffi Bakari: The longest-serving international with silver at the 2019 Africa Games and multiples medals including gold in Zone 3 Championships. He started representing the senior team in 2017.

Robert “Man Ngori” Okaka: The twice African bronze medallist is the first Kenyan boxer in 43 years to make it to the quarter-finals of the IBA Men’s World Championships.

Other regular internationals are omena boy Alvin “Liwaloliwe” Oduor, Mwinyi Kombo, Aloys Vincent, Chris Ochanda, Peter “The Beast” Abuti, and the dangerous Clinton Macharia.

The WB 10 weight categories to be competed for men are: 50kg flyweight, 55kg bantamweight, 60kg lightweight, 65kg welterweight, 70 kg light-middleweight, 75kg middleweight, 80kg light-heavyweight, 85kg cruiserweight, 90kg heavyweight and 90+kg super-heavyweight.

Women’s 10 weights are: 48kg light-flyweight, 51kg flyweight, 54kg bantamweight, 57kg featherweight, 60kg lightweight, 65kg welterweight, 70kg light-middleweight, 75kg middleweight, 80kg light-heavyweight and 80+kg heavyweight

Here’s the full Kenya team:

Women

1.Jane Wangare –48-L/fly
2.Grace Atieno –48
3.Damacline Boyani–51-fly
4.Lencer Akinyi–51
5.Veronicah Mbithe–51
6.Amina Martha –54kg
7.Rahab Mumbi –54
8.Silvia Obwamu–65
9.Clare Okwaluma –70
10.Elizabeth Akinyi–80kg
11) Juliet Akinyi–80kg

Men

1.Morris Kimani –50kg(fly)
2.Kelvin Maina –50kg
3.Emmanuel Chondo–50kg
4. Abdallah Juma–50
5.Dennis Muthama-55kg
6.Emmanuel Odhiambo–55kg
7.Moses Kilavuka –50
8.Chris Musyoki–55
9.Shaffi Bakari–55
10.Benedict Juma–60kg(l/weight)
11.Mwinyi Kombo–60
12. Chris Juma –60
13.Aloice Vincent–65kg(L/welter)
14.Emmanuel Omollo–65
15.Samuel Ndiema–65
16.Bonface Mugunde –70kg(L/middle)
17.Alvin Oduor–70
18.Steven Onyango 75kg (middle)
19.Lawrence Ombwochi–75
20.Edwin Okong’o –75
21.Francis Lennox–75
22.Robert Okaka-80kg(L/heavy)
23.George Cosby–80kg
24.Chrispine Ochanda–86kg(cruiser)
25. Victor Okeke–86
26.Peter Abuti–90(Heavy weight)
27.Geofrey Ayacko–90+(super)
28.Clinton Macharia–90+

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▪️Mali’s federation boss Mahamadou Draba confident of a better harvest in Kinshasa

September 23, 2026

World Championships bronze medalist Djibril Traore and Olympian Marine Fatoumata Camara headline Mali’s eight-boxer squad for the upcoming African Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo.

The West African nation enters the tournament, running from October 18-31, hungry to improve on its 15th-place finish at the 2024 edition.

Mali Boxing Federation President Mahamadou Draba expressed absolute confidence in the selected team.

“Our world bronze medalist Djibril Traoré is more than determined to meet all challenges alongside his teammates,” Draba told boxersworld.co.ke.

“Mali has hidden talents that will pleasantly surprise the Kinshasa public.”

Traore carries significant momentum into the tournament. He made history as Mali’s first-ever World Championships medalist in Dubai 2025, securing a bronze medal after a dominant 5-0 quarter-final victory over Spain’s Sergio Martinez. Traore also claimed Mali’s lone bronze medal at the 2024 African Championships. He is joined in the squad by his namesake, Fousseyni Traore who lost to Iran’s Moslem Maghsoudi in the round of 32 at the Dubai World Championships.

Leading the women’s charge is Marine Fatoumata Camara, a pioneer for Malian boxing. Camara became the country’s first female African Games medalist with a featherweight silver in Rabat 2019. Since then, the southpaw has competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics and won gold at the 2022 Eindhoven Box Cup, where she avenged a previous World Championship loss by defeating Italy’s Jessica Bellusci.

“What made me even happier was beating Bellusci in my first fight to avenge my defeat against her compatriot Irma Testa,” Camara said recalling her defeat to Testa in the 2022 Women’s World Championships in Istanbul.

Mali’s full eight-fighter roster for Kinshasa:

1) Fatoumata Marine Colette Camara

2) Djibril Traoré

3) Fousseyni Traoré

4) Alou Sacko

5) Abdoul Karim Bathily

6) Youssouf Dabo

7) Bakari Diallo

8) Mamadou Keïta

▪️Even without their sniper Patrick Chinyemba, this roster packs terrifying military precision

September 20, 2026

Zambia is sending an army to Kinshasa, and they are bringing heavy artillery.

Nine men. Seven women. All of them soldiers. A 16-strong squad locked, loaded, and ready to invade the DR Congo capital. Their sole mission? To flatten the hosts of the 2026 Africa Boxing Championships from October 18–31 and plunder the overall crown.

The Africa Elite Championships is the most prestigious and the flagship boxing event in the continent, attracting all the top boxers. Since 2022, boxers have been earning prize money courtesy of the IBA.

That’s why Zambia, one of Africa’s boxing powerhouses are heading to Kinshasa.

The Zambians may be without their sniper Patrick Chinyemba, but this roster packs terrifying military precision. Fuelled by their historic dominance at the 2025 IBA Men’s World Championships in Dubai—where Zambia finished as the top-placed African nation—and inspired by recent triumphs in Chati, Russia, this resurgent squad has bad intentions in Kinshasa.

Commander Emmanuel Katema spearheads the front line. The IBA World Championship and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist is flying high and ready for war.

Joining him in the trenches is Gerald Kabinda, the lethal African Games welterweight gold medalist, alongside Andrew Chilata and Felistus Nkandu, the ferocious 2022 African champions.

Nkandu, the deadly female sharpshooter, is fresh out of months in the bush molded by rigorous military training. Her warning to DR Congo’s reigning African light-welterweight champion, Mbalayi Mbamba, is simple: Prepare for total annihilation.

Keep your eyes on Mwengo Mwale, Albert Ngulube and Catherine Mwape too. They all starred for Zambia in the Glasgow Commonwralth Games with bronze medallist Catherine making history as the first-ever Zambian female boxer to win a medal in the Commonwealth Games.

Mwale, the brutal bantamweight punched his way to the Dubai World quarterfinals and snatched silver at the African Games in Accra. With a devastating reach advantage, he is primed to dictate the pace.

What awaits Kinshasa is 14 days of leather, flying sweat, and jaw-dropping action. No love lost. Every fighter is ready to bleed for glory and the lucrative prize money courtesy of the International Boxing Association.

Explaining how this elite squad was assembled, Zambia Boxing Federation Secretary-General Humphrey Kasosolwa stated that the selection was strictly merit-based, fusing core Commonwealth Games medallists with top performers scouted at the National Agricultural Show championship. He confirmed that the federation is aggressively sourcing funds to camp the large squad, promising that this is absolutely the best crop of Zambian talent available.

The team will be guided by an experienced technical trio: Ariel Banda, Charles Kangwa, and Maybin Gunduzani.

The 16 battle-ready boxers are:

Men

48kg: Elias Banda

51kg: Nene Mahonga

54kg: Mwengo Mwale

57kg: Gabriel Mukuka60kg: Albert Ngulube

63.5kg: Andrew Chilata

67kg: Emmanuel Katema

71kg: Gerald Kabinda

75kg: Jonathan Mwiinga

Women

50kg: Joana Bwalya

52kg: Chipo Kapempe

54kg: Catherine Mwape

57kg: Violet Moonga

60kg: Patricia Bwalya

63kg: Felisters Nkandu

66kg: Maureen Tembo

▪️Uganda recaptured the regional crown following the controversial victory of heavyweight Dodovic Owiny over Kenya’s former body builder Fred Sabat

September 23, 2026

Forty-seven years ago, East Africa’s greatest boxing rivalry between Kenya and Uganda reached a furious, chaotic climax inside a packed Nairobi City Hall.

The 1979 East and Central Africa Boxing Championships (Fescaaba) final was more than just a tournament; it was a tension-charged war between two boxing superpowers.

The drama built to a razor-thin deadlock. Both Kenya and Uganda stood even with five gold medals apiece after a scrappy light-heavyweight bout saw Uganda’s Abubaker Semuyanja outpoint Tanzania’s John Magesa. The entire tournament rested on the final heavyweight showdown: Kenya’s Fred “Sachi” Sabat, a former bodybuilder, versus Uganda’s towering titan, Dodovic Owiny.

Kenya’s depth at the time was staggering. The country boasted enough elite talent to field three separate world-class national teams.

While this core group battled in Nairobi, a parallel Kenyan squad was in Libya for the African Championships, featuring icons like Napunyi “Tottoh” Oduori, George “Mosquito” Findo, Patrick “Mont” Waweru, Ali “Ojukwu” Athumani, and Philip “PC” Mathenge or Machine Gun if you like.

In Nairobi, the home team featured nine finalists, anchored by the boxing brothers—Steve “Destimo” Muchoki and Mike “Stone” Irungu—both fresh off gold medal performances at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada. They were flanked by Nakuru’s punching machine Isaiah “Danicho” Ikhoni, another Nakuru product featherweight John “Duran” Wanjau, and ring marshal Kamau “Pipino” Wanyoike.

Uganda countered with a menacing 10-man finalist lineup led by the devastatingly powerful welterweight John “The Beast” Mugabi, alongside flyweight Adron Butembeki, the incredibly durable Cuban Businge, light-middleweight Paul Muyodi, and middleweight Dick Katende.

Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi were the four countries in Nairobi but the rivalry between the two powerhouses ensured the glamour remained untarnished. Seychelles, Zambia, Somalia and Ethiopia pulled out at the last minute.

Speedy Muchoki set Nairobi ablaze early, executing a masterclass of ring geometry, clever sidestepping, and clinical footwork to stop Tanzania’s Clement Chacha in the second round.

Not to be outdone, his younger brother Mike Irungu sent the deafening “Dallas brigade” into a frenzy, dropping Uganda’s Adron Butembeki in the opening round of the flyweight bout with a devastating right hand. Chants of “Irosh funga kazi!” shook the rafters. The terraces were alive with a raucous Nairobi crowd, fueled by the frothy liquids of Ruaraka and the unblinking, hyper-focused gaze powered by the golden Meru herb.

Power punching bantamweight Isaiah Ikhoni dominated Uganda’s Cuban Businge enroute to a unanimous points victory in his debut for the national team.

Uganda quickly struck back. Mohammed Balinda outpointed John Wanjau, and lightweight Samuel Isiko – surprise winner over fancied Kenyan Michael Mwangi in the semis – defeated Tanzania’s Omar Gulaya.

The tension surged as Kenya’s African Games light-welterweight champion Kamau “Pipino” Wanyoike, a southpaw master of deception, danced his way to a points victory over Vitalis Nyamor.

Yet Uganda responded instantly when John “The Beast” Mugabi knocked out Kenya’s Steve Okumu in the very first round at welterweight, avenging his previous semi-final loss to a Kenyan when Pipino Wanyoike beat him at the 1978 African Games.

Uganda’s light-middleweight Paul Muyodi gave them their fourth win outpointing Kenyatta University graduate John Omollo before middleweight Charles “Dixie Kidi” Oduori halted Uganda’s charge, defeating Dick Katende on points.

With wins trading back and forth, the stage was set for the heavyweights. The final bout was pure theater. Fred Sabat hit the canvas twice in the opening round as the towering Owiny used his reach to dominate. But the Kenyan bodybuilder recovered his poise in the second, roaring back to floor Owiny with a vicious left hook that shook City Hall to its foundations. By the third round, the crowd was a wall of sound, pushing Sabat forward. The Kenyan was firmly in the driver’s seat, winning the exchanges and hunting for the finish. With the clock ticking down, Sabat unleashed a swift, shattering left punch that sent an exhausted Owiny staggering backward toward the ropes. Then came the fatal error. As Owiny was already falling toward the canvas, Sabat, blinded by adrenaline, made a costly blunder. He threw a final hammer blow that struck the Ugandan on the back of the head, accelerating Owiny’s descent until he landed flat on his stomach.

Interestingly, Ugandan referee David Agong counted out Owiny and then disqualified Sabat, igniting a storm of protests from furious Kenyan fans and officials who vehemently protested the decision. They accused Agong of blatant, flagrant bias to save his compatriot. The disqualification handed Owiny the victory, allowing Uganda to steal the overall championship crown in the most bitter and acrimonious finish the tournament had ever seen. Agong was smuggled out of City Hally under tight police escort as irate Kenyan fans bayed for his blood.

The Amateur Boxing Association of Kenya (ABA) Secretary-General Harrison Kalonzo, himself an R&J, shook his head in disbelief on Agong’s decision.

“The disqualification leaves a lot to be desired. What I don’t understand is why the referee counted out Owiny first and then disqualified Sabat, he should have disqualified Sabat if he landed a foul punch,” said a disappointed Kalonzo.

The team manager of Kenya’s team Fred Mwangi filed a protest but ABA chairman Major Marsden Madoka later decided they move on because the decision would not be reversed.

Such was the excitement, controversy, patriotism and quality boxing which characterized the Golden Era between the two East African boxing giants at the time.

▪️Tshama heads to mining-rich Kolwezi in southeastern DR Congo for a pro contest warm-up ahead of IBA Africa Elite Championships

September 21, 2026

DR Congo’s David Tshama has a singular, burning ambition for this year’s IBA African Elite Boxing Championships on home turf in Kinshasa: capturing a historic third middleweight gold medal.

The two-time African champion will fine-tune his skills on September 25 in Kolwezi, fighting on the high-profile undercard of Ilunga Makabu’s WBC Africa cruiserweight title defense against Georgian Irakli Alanidze.

The Kolwezi show, supported by the Lualaba government led by Governor Fifi Masuka Sainu, is being promoted by DR Congo’s top promoter Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo who is also the head of Congolese federation and the Interim President of IBA Africa.

Commenting on the Tanzanian opponent he’s facing in Kolwezi for his defense of ABU middleweight title, Tshama, unbeaten in three fights as a pro, acknowledged it’s not an easy task.

“I’m facing a very experienced Tanzanian opponent, it’ll be a tough fight,” said Tshama who started boxing in 2005 at home in Lubumbashi with Njanja Club.

At the 2024 Africa Championships in Kinshasa, Tshama electrified a packed, roaring crowd at the Stade des Martyrs, outlasting Mali’s world bronze medalist Djibril Traore in the semi-finals and Morocco’s Yassine El Quarz in the finals to claim gold.

Looking ahead to the 2026 championships, the Congolese boxer views Morocco’s silver medallist in Kinshasa 2024 Yassine El Quarz as the major stumbling block.

“He was my toughest opponent in 2024,” Tshama told boxersworld.co.ke.

“The Malian doesn’t worry me because he has almost the same boxing style as me, so I won’t have any trouble beating him. I know the Moroccan will come back strong to dethrone me. I am preparing accordingly, and I think I will beat him once again.”

Tshama would have enjoyed fighting Kenya’s African Games middleweight champion Edwin Okong’o for the third time but it won’t happen since Kenya has skipped the Kinshasa showdown.

“Edwin is a tough boxer and is my good friend, I’ve beaten him twice but it was not easy,” said Tshama. He twice defeated Okong’o at the 2021 and 2022 Africa Zone 3 Championships in Kinshasa.

“I was with Edwin in the Accra African Games, I was happy to see him win gold by beating Moroccan boxer (Yassine El Quarz) in the finals, he’s the one who beat me in Accra and then I avenged the defeat in Kinshasa 2024.”

In retrospect, Tshama had a monumental breakout period between 2020 and 2021, establishing himself as a top African boxing talent on both the professional and amateur circuits.

On December 19, 2020, the Congolese boxer officially transitioned into the professional ranks by capturing the vacant African Boxing Union (ABU) African middleweight title.

Fighting in front of a home crowd at Studio Mama Angebi in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tshama defeated South Africa’s Augustin Matata via a unanimous points decision over 12 rounds.

Tshama earned his ticket to the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics during the African qualification tournament in Dakar. At the Games in Japan, he was given the high honor of being the opening ceremony flagbearer for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Competing in the men’s middleweight (69–75kg) division, Tshama made waves with a strong opening performance.

In the round of 32, he secured a thrilling split-decision victory (3-2) over Cameroon’s highly regarded Wilfred Ntsengue.

He faced Haiti’s Darrelle Valsaint in the pre-quarters. Though Tshama fought aggressively, he was ultimately eliminated via a tight 4-1 decision, falling just short of the quarter-finals.

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▪️Her connection to boxing came through her husband, Eamon, a former boxer who later became a coach and introduced her to a sport that would eventually become a defining part of her life

September 18, 2026

“Boxing is one of the toughest sports, but it is also the sport that is most like life.”

Those words, attributed to heavyweight legend Joe Frazier, could just as easily describe the remarkable journey of Irish official Sadie Duffy (pictured).

Long before becoming one of the most respected officials in international boxing and the first woman to chair the International Boxing Association (IBA) Referees & Judges Committee, Duffy was a manager at a clothing manufacturing company. Her connection to boxing came through her husband, Eamon, a former boxer who later became a coach and introduced her to a sport that would eventually become a defining part of her life.

“I was always attending local tournaments and championships and enjoyed the competitiveness and skill of the sport,” Duffy recalled.

At the time, however, she could hardly have imagined where that interest would take her.

Breaking the glass ceiling

Boxing has historically been a male-dominated sport, both inside and outside the ring. When Duffy decided to become an official, opportunities for women were limited.

Her breakthrough came in 1997, when she passed her first examination to become a Referee & Judge (R&J), becoming the first woman in Irish boxing to do so.

“On reflection, I never envisaged that one day I would be in this position,” Duffy said. “At times the challenges were tough, but those who know me know that I can be stubborn. 1997 was ‘a moment in time’ that shaped refereeing and judging in Ireland – the glass ceiling was broken.”

Breaking that ceiling did not immediately remove the obstacles.

“It was difficult being a woman R&J in a male-dominated sport. But gradually, I believe I gained the respect of coaches, boxers and fellow officials. There were a few obstacles along the way, but this challenged me to become stronger and proved that women can be equal and work together with our male counterparts.”

Four years later, Duffy would find herself in the ring for another important moment in the history of women’s boxing in Ireland.

 A ringside view of history

In 2001, Duffy was appointed as referee for a historic bout involving a young Katie Taylor.

Even then, Duffy saw something exceptional in the future Olympic and professional world champion.

“Even in 2001, Katie’s skill and determination made it clear that she would achieve greatness in boxing,” Duffy recalled.

Her judgement proved accurate.

Taylor went on to become Olympic champion at London 2012, a multiple world champion and one of the defining figures in the history of women’s boxing. Duffy would referee Taylor again on several occasions as the young Irish boxer progressed through the amateur ranks.

Almost 25 years after their paths first crossed in the ring, Taylor brought her extraordinary career to a close on 5 September 2026 at Croke Park. In front of 83,000 spectators, she contested her final bout before saying goodbye to the sport.

The scale of the occasion offered a striking measure of just how far women’s boxing had travelled since the beginning of the century.

Taylor repeatedly broke barriers inside the ring. Duffy was doing much the same outside it.

From Donegal to the world stage

Duffy’s own career was progressing at the same time.

From local competitions in County Donegal, she went on to officiate hundreds of bouts around the world. In 2014, she became an IBA 3-Star Referee & Judge, reaching the highest international level of officiating.

For Duffy, however, the foundation of good officiating has never changed.

“A good Referee & Judge should always be honest and fair to all boxers. They should have an excellent understanding of the IBA Technical and Competition Rules with the knowledge of how and when to apply them,” she explained.

“In any bout, I firmly believe that we all must understand the rules, as the referee only has a split second to make a decision in the ring.”

Those split-second decisions are among the defining responsibilities of a referee. Yet some of the most consequential decisions in boxing require something different: time, evidence and careful consideration.

Duffy experienced exactly that at the 2024 ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships in Thailand.

Uzbekistan’s Khavasbek Asadullaev initially defeated Kazakhstan’s Ablaikhan Zhussupov in their final. The Kazakhstan team subsequently submitted a protest, alleging that Asadullaev had bitten his opponent during the contest.

Duffy, serving as Technical Delegate, reviewed the evidence. Asadullaev was disqualified for the serious foul and Zhussupov was subsequently declared the winner and awarded the Asian title.

It was a very different responsibility from making an immediate call inside the ropes, but one governed by the same principle that Duffy has followed throughout her career: the rules must be applied fairly to every boxer.

From official to leader

By then, Duffy’s responsibilities had extended well beyond refereeing individual bouts.

In 2022, she qualified as an International Technical Official (ITO), R&J Evaluator and R&J Instructor.

The ITO qualification opened the door to a range of responsibilities, including working as an R&J Evaluator, Observer, Draw Commissioner, Equipment Manager and R&J Coordinator.

For Duffy, moving into those roles also meant passing on the knowledge accumulated during decades in boxing.

“The ITO position allows one to see how boxing functions from the inside. Transitioning from R&J to ITO is a big responsibility and it is our duty to ensure that every event is conducted to a high standard, both from an organisation perspective and that of the boxers,” she said.

“Education and continued professional development are the key to success.”

In March 2023, Duffy successfully completed the Technical Delegate course, qualifying her to take on the highest level of responsibility within the Field of Play.

Then came another barrier-breaking moment.

At the end of 2023, Duffy was appointed Chair of the IBA Referees & Judges Committee – becoming the first woman to hold the position.

“I never dreamed that I would be here,” she said following her appointment. “I’m not under any illusion that it will be easy; however, I do have a great team of experienced personnel to work with, and I will endeavour to fulfil the role with pride and honour in the best interests of the sport.”

Sharing the knowledge

Nearly three decades separate Duffy’s first R&J examination in 1997 from her work at the highest levels of international boxing today.

During that time, she has watched the sport change dramatically.

She saw Katie Taylor near the beginning of a journey that would eventually take her in front of more than 80,000 people at Croke Park. She watched opportunities for female boxers expand and, in her own field, demonstrated that women could officiate and lead at the highest level.

Yet for Duffy, reaching the top was never the end of the journey.

One of the responsibilities she values most today is helping prepare the next generation of officials.

“Any system is only as good as the people using it,” Duffy said.

Her focus is increasingly on education, communication and ensuring that the experience accumulated by today’s officials is passed on to those who follow.

“None of us will be around forever,” she said. “It’s important to identify and nurture those that possess leadership qualities, and it will be all our responsibility to ensure our sport is managed at a top level.”

In 1997, Sadie Duffy simply wanted to understand boxing from the inside.

Almost 30 years later, she is helping shape how the sport is officiated – and who will be ready to take responsibility for it next.

▪️Changalawe promises brutal surprise for Kinshasa favourite but Kabeji warns the Tanzanian boxer to prepare for embarrassment at his home turf

September 16, 2026

DR Congo’s Peter Kabeji and Tanzania’s Yusuf Changalawe are locked on a collision course for a bruising fourth showdown.

The arch-rivals are set to clash at the IBA African Boxing Championships in Kinshasa, running from October 18–31, 2026. The two giants of African boxing were supposed to trade leather at the 2024 championships in the same city, but Changalawe pulled out at the eleventh hour citing personal commitments.

Kabeji, however, wasn’t buying the excuse. He openly mocked his rival, claiming the Tanzanian “chickened out” because he was terrified of fighting the champion on his home turf.

“I was ready for him, to prove that he didn’t beat me in Addis Ababa,” said Kabeji, who ultimately marched on to capture his third consecutive African title.

They met for third time on August 17, 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in the first ever IBA Champions Night to be staged on African soil.

The fight ended acrimoniously. Kabeji, the African Games light-heavyweight king, was left fuming. He blasted the judges for handing Changalawe the victory “on a silver platter”.

“He didn’t win the fight, I’m very surprised how the judges officiated,” a calmly furious Kabeji muttered from his dressing room at the Adwa Museum.

“Look at me, I’ve no injuries. But Changalawe’s face is swollen from the punishment I handed him.”

While Kabeji claims he rocked the Tanzanian with heavy bolo punches, Changalawe dismissed the offense as illegal tactics.

“He was just butting. That’s why he was warned severally by the referee,” Changalawe fired back.

“He didn’t hurt me as he claims.”

Now, the 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist is promising a brutal surprise for the home favorite in Kinshasa.

“I’m reminding Kabeji I have a new punch that will choke him,” Changalawe roared.

“He will not see it coming because it’s a flashing, painful blow. I’m working on it now—he will cry at home like a baby.”

The rivalry is balanced on a knife-edge. The two boxers have met three times, with Kabeji holding a 2-1 lead. If the tournament draw aligns, Kinshasa will host the ultimate tiebreaker.

Over 20 African nations are invading Kinshasa to compete in Africa’s oldest boxing tournament, which dates back to Cairo 1962. Local organizers are turning the tournament into a massive festival, blending high quality boxing with the throbbing beats of world-renowned Congolese rumba and soukous musicians.

The stage is set, the talk is cheap, and Kinshasa is ready for a war.

▪️”Kinshasa is not just an ordinary trip; it is a national duty, and our preparations will reflect that gravity,” said SG Makore Mashaga

September 14, 2026

Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) has selected a provisional national team of 47 boxers – 35 men and 12 women – for the Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Championships scheduled for October 18-31 in Kinshasa, DR Congo.

Announcing the squad, BFT Secretary-General Makore Mashaga said the training camp will be held at the Dar es Salaam Police Academy (DPA) in Kurasini.

Mashaga emphasized a rigorous selection process will be conducted before they pick on the final team to represent Tanzania.

“We are entering these preparations with one goal—to build a strong team, conduct a fair selection process, and ensure that Tanzania is represented by boxers of the highest caliber.

“Kinshasa is not just an ordinary trip; it is a national duty, and our preparations will reflect that gravity,” said Mashaga.

MEN

48 Kg: Juma Athumani (MMJKT), Gidion Mbena (Ngome), Mohamed Juma (Tanga)

51 Kg: Azizi Waziri Chala (Ngome), Rajabu Omary (MMJKT), Said Adam Hamisi (Tanga)

54 Kg: Hussein Issa (Ngome), Hussein Juma Chombe (MMJKT), Mohamedi Mjombo (Tanga)

57 Kg: Mmbaruku Hussein (Tanga), Moon Rashidi Mkali (Tanga), Kulwa Jumanne (Tanga), George Mbonabucha (Ngome)

60 Kg: Credo Peter (MMJKT), Ezra Paulo Mwanjango (Ngome), Hamisi Mtwale (Magereza)

63.5 Kg: Rajabu Yahaya Makobe (Tanga), Ibrahim Malungu (Band Coy), Shafii Mmbaruku (MMJKT)

67 Kg: Abdallah Mfaume (Ngome), Mohamed Juma Issa (MMJKT)71 Kg: Kasimu Mmbutwike (Ngome), Saidi Hamisi Kanenda (MMJKT), Ally Mazimbo (Magereza)

75 Kg: Joseph Silvester (MMJKT), Checknoris Masembe (Magereza)

80 Kg: Yusuf Changalawe (Ngome), Elankunda Daniel (MMJKT), Enzi Kasililika (Magereza)

86 Kg: Shakuru Yodani (Magereza), Abdallah Kasimu (MMJKT), Abdul Mohamed Mayosa (Polisi Tanga – Mkinga)

92 Kg: Swedish Maalifa (MMJKT), Mhina Morris Magogo (Ngome)

92+ Kg: Edwin Respikyus Zephelin (Ngome)

WOMEN

48 Kg: Umukuruthum Athumani (Ngome), Veronica Thomas Mapunda (Taifa)

50 Kg: Aisha Idd (JKT), Martha Kimaro (Ngome)

52 Kg: Sarafina Fussy (Ngome), Enifa Jackson Mtafumwa (JKT)

54 Kg: Zulfa Yusufu Macho (Ngome), Zulfa Mangola (Ngome)

57 Kg: Zawadi Amosi Kutaka (Taifa)

60 Kg: Vumilia Kalinga (Ngome)

75 Kg: Hidaya Zahoro (Morogoro)

80 Kg: Recho Peter Msengi (Dodoma)

TECHNICAL BENCH

The team’s preparations will be overseen by BFT head coach Samwel Batman Kapungu, assisted by Muhsini Mohamed Mng’ola, Kasimu Hussein Kasimu, Doto Kasongo, Kelvin Kipinge, Antony Kameda, Nasser Mafulu, Iddi Hamisi Sukari, Yusufu Bakari Mnyeto, Mzonge Mraba, Said Hofu, Mafuru Mafuru, and Mahamudu Kihonza.

▪️Individual boxer prize money at the President’s Cup will reach USD 80,000 for first place, USD 40,000 for second place, USD 22,000 for third place and USD 5,000 for fifth place in each weight category.

September 14, 2026

The International Boxing Association (IBA) is set to open a new chapter in international boxing with the launch of IBA Elite, a new global competition platform built around sporting performance, continuous international competition and a clear pathway towards the biggest stages in IBA boxing.

The journey will begin in Istanbul, Türkiye, where the IBA President’s Cup 2026 will become the inaugural event of IBA Elite, taking place from 25 November to 5 December 2026.

Featuring 14 men’s weight categories, the President’s Cup will be staged as an open international competition welcoming both elite amateur and professional boxers, backed by a total prize money fund of USD 3 million.

The action will take place at the Başakşehir Gençlik ve Spor Tesisleri, a venue already familiar to the international boxing community after hosting the 2022 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. Four years later, the arena will once again welcome boxers from around the world — this time for the opening chapter of IBA Elite.

A new global pathway for elite boxing

IBA Elite has been created to provide leading boxers with a stronger and more continuous international competition structure, offering regular opportunities to face high-level opposition and progress on sporting merit.

At the centre of the new system will be the IBA World Ranking, designed to accompany boxers throughout their sporting journey and connect their performances across IBA Elite competitions.

Every result will matter. Ranking points earned through competition will build a boxer’s international standing and play an important role in qualification for future editions of the IBA President’s Cup and the IBA World Championships.

This creates a clear sporting pathway in which performances throughout the season can lead towards IBA’s most important competitions.

IBA Elite will also strengthen the bridge towards IBA Pro, giving outstanding boxers the opportunity to showcase themselves internationally and potentially progress into IBA’s professional competition structure.

Rewarding performance at every stage

A central part of the new competition model is IBA’s commitment to rewarding sporting achievement.

Individual boxer prize money at the President’s Cup will reach USD 80,000 for first place, USD 40,000 for second place, USD 22,000 for third place and USD 5,000 for fifth place in each weight category.

Recognition will begin before the final stages of the tournament. Boxers will receive USD 500 for each bout won on their way towards the quarter-finals. Once reaching the quarter-finals, they will move into the placement-based prize money structure, beginning with the fifth-place award.

The overall prize money model will recognise not only the athlete but also the team behind the performance, with awards distributed 50% to the boxer, 25% to the coach and 25% to the National Federation.

The principle is simple: reward the boxer, recognise the team and support the National Federation.

An open stage for the world

As the inaugural IBA Elite competition, the President’s Cup will open its doors to boxers from across the international boxing landscape.

The inclusion of both elite amateur and professional boxers is a defining feature of the event, creating a stage where established international champions, leading national athletes, emerging talent and professional fighters can compete within the same global competition framework.

For IBA-affiliated National Federations, Istanbul represents the opportunity to bring their strongest athletes into the new IBA Elite pathway from its very beginning.

The journey starts in Istanbul

The IBA President’s Cup 2026 will mark more than the beginning of a new competition.

It will establish the starting point of a sporting pathway designed to connect international competition, the IBA World Ranking, future President’s Cups, the IBA World Championships and opportunities within IBA Pro.

IBA invites its affiliated National Federations and eligible boxers from around the world to be part of this inaugural event and the beginning of IBA Elite.

The official Team Delegations’ Handbook, containing full participation requirements and competition information, will be distributed to National Federations in the coming days, together with the opening of registration for the IBA President’s Cup 2026.

Further registration information and event updates will also be published through IBA’s official channels.

The world is invited. IBA Elite starts here.

Courtesy IBA

▪️Tournament’s Media and Communication Manager, Vladislav Dubrovskiy, said about $160,000 was at stake in the Eurasian Dauria Cup tournament.

September 13, 2026

An 18-year-old Zambian boxing prodigy with zero international experience has just announced his arrival on the world stage in spectacular fashion.

Daniel Mwanza captured the gold medal and a $6,000 cash prize at the Eurasian Dauria Cup International Boxing Tournament in Chita, Russia, in his first ever international tournament outside Africa.

Mwanza’s achievement has proved Africa is loaded with talent and reignited the debate on a boxer’s capability to shine at the big stage without any prior exposure.

Fighting in the flyweight division, the teenage wonderboy outpointed two elite local favorites—Bogdan Dvali in the semifinals and Nikita Lopatiev in the finals—to secure the championship.

Mwanza’s coach, Dennis Zimba, who won lightweight silver for Zambia at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, revealed the strategy that neutralized Lopatiev in the final.

“My game plan was simple: I told my boy not to give his opponent a chance to throw many punches,” Zimba said.

“Against a southpaw, you must always be the one to start the exchange.”

The tournament featured a massive $160,000 total prize pool, courtesy of corporate sponsors. Tournament Media and Communication Manager Vladislav Dubrovskiy confirmed the payouts to boxersworld.co.ke, noting that silver medalists took home $3,700, while bronze medalists earned $1,200.

“We thank our partners and sponsors who supported the event,” Dubrovskiy said.

“They played an important role in making it a big success.”

Mwanza’s golden run topped a strong showing for the African continent, which also secured three bronze medals: Clement Zulu (Zambia, Bantamweight), Abdourahim Mohamed (Comoros, Light-Welterweight) Kelson Neto (Angola)

Africa was represented by a total of nine countries in the Chita tournament. Here they are:

🇦🇴 Angola — 4 people: 1 coach + 3 boxers

🇨🇲 Cameroon — 3 people: 1 coach + 2 boxers

🇰🇲 Comoros — 3 people: 1 coach + 2 boxers

🇰🇪 Kenya — 3 people: 1 coach + 2 boxers

🇳🇦 Namibia — 3 people: 1 coach + 2 boxers

🇳🇪 Niger — 2 people: 1 coach + 1 boxer

🇿🇦 South Africa — 3 people: 1 coach + 2 boxers

🇹🇳 Tunisia — 3 people: 1 coach + 2 boxers

🇿🇲 Zambia — 3 people: 1 coach + 2 boxers

The following is the full statement on prize money by Vladislav sent to boxersworld.co.ke

“The tournament prize money was given out as follows

🥇 Gold medalists — 500,000 RUB each (approximately $6,000)

🥈 Silver medalists — 300,000 RUB each (approximately $3,700)

🥉 Bronze medalists — 100,000 RUB each (approximately $1,200)

“At the Eurasian Dauria Cup 2026 there were:

🥇 13 gold medals

🥈 13 silver medals

🥉 22 bronze medals

“The total prize money paid to athletes was approximately 12.6 million RUB (around $150,000–160,000 depending on the exchange rate).

“We thank our partners and sponsors. They played an important role to make competition possible and and a big success. We also thank all the participants for honouring the event. In 2027 we will make it bigger with more prize money. We do understand commercialisation of sports in this era is inevitable.”

boxersworld.co.ke