Kenyan boxers in action.[Photo/michezoafrika]
Last year brought about the great variance in boxing development across Kenya.
From the domestic league to national events, there was always something to ponder it.
One thing was evident though; the fans began appreciating the sport despite the challenges it went through. For Kenyan boxing fans, the final quarter of the year was the real climax given the caliber of fights witnessed around.
The biggest talk of the town, however, was reserved for two title fights held in Nairobi in December, which saw locals Fatuma Zarika and James Onyango emerge victorious in front of a fervent home crowd.
The bouts organized and promoted by Bigger than Life Entertainment of USA and backed by World Boxing Council saw an upsurge of interest only accommodated back in the glory days.
Female sensation Zarika nicknamed the ‘Iron Fist’ was taken to the end in the WBC super bantamweight category but stole the show against gritty Zambian Catherine Phiri. However despite the few highs, which also saw USA-based boxing wonder-boy Rayton Okwiri winning two professional meets as a debutant, not much in terms of significance took place.
Many boxers failed to get fights as a result of ever-problematic concerns with fake promoters who failed to honor contractual obligations. This put the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) under Hillary Alila under the spotlight for failing to rein in on the crooks.
At the same time, KPBC was under attack for failure to organize enough meets for their stable thus boxers struggling to make ends meet after putting in the hard work at gym sessions.
Lack of sponsorship was also hit the top boxing administrators as they struggled to run events as would be desirable. In what is increasingly becoming an expensive sport, KPBC had to shelve or put off some bouts of lacking funds even after putting in requests including to Government.