17.7.2005: Six bouts took place on July 16 in an outdoor arena at the Bahati Shopping Center in Nairobi, Kenya. Lightweight David Kiilu, cruiserweight Joseph Akhasamba, middleweight Joseph Njoka Ngandu, welterweight John Nguru, Light heavyweight Joseph Marwa and welterweight Joseph Miyumo all registered wins in front of a good crowd who enjoyed an afternoon of free professional boxing..
Kiilu had no problems disposing of journeyman Bob Obala inside three rounds in a bout scheduled for six. The southpaw stylist showed good power in both hands, and the rough Obala was never allowe to get on the inside despite persistent efforts. Kiilu is now 20-6-2 (10), and Obala reportedly fell to 5-6.
Joseph Akhasamba, who also acted as co-promoter of the show, is enjoying something of an “Indian Summer” since dropping back down to cruiserweight after a string of losses at heavy. Akhasamba scored his third straight stoppage win, when he eliminated Lukas “Lucky Boy” Omondi in the third of a scheduled eight. The veteran former Kenyan, African and WBB belt-holder is now 14-7-1 (10), and Omondi goes to 2-10-1 (1) according to BoxRec.
Tanzanian import Joseph Marwa outboxed local man Bob Harrison over six to record a clear unanimous decision. Marwa thereby ended a loosing streak to some top European names, and took his ledger to 17-6-1 (5). Harrison is now 0-6-1 at BoxRec, but he surely has more bouts than that as he challenged for the Kenyan national title in his first bout registered in this database. In Kenya it is claimed that he has at least ten victories.
The remaining results: Joseph Njoka Ngandu (8-8-2, 2 KOs) TKO 4 Ken Oyolo (1-5-1), John Nguru (1-2-1, 1 KO) TKO 4 Benito Alando (debut) and Joseph Miyumo (23-5-4, 14 KOs) W6 Caleb Amianda (0-3). A planned bout featuring light middleweight Stanley Katibi fell out.
Another Close Call Goes Against Nzau
You just don’t get the close calls when you fight in the opponent’s hometown! Risum Boxing’s super featherweight Athanas “Nati” Nzau realised this once again, after dropping a majority decision to Antonio Bento on Friday night (July 15) at the Casino De Monte Gordo in Monte Gordo, Portugal. Scores were 114-114, 116-113 and 116-113, and the vacant WBA Intercontinental title was at stake.
The fight proved to be a real barn-burner, with both men fighting their hearts out from bell to bell, and keeping an astonishingly high tempo from round one through twelve. On many occasions, the crowd was on their feet cheering the warriors on, as they took turns whaling away in an almost Gatti-Ward-like manner. This could very well be one of the best fights in Europe this year, and a rematch should be considered seriously.
In the end, Bento got the verdict, and Nzau-manager Henrik Risum explains that this was by no means a scandal, saying:
“The fight was very close, could have gone either way, and close fights like this almost always go to the home-man. I have no problem with that, because both boxers deserved to win in a way, and Bento is a hell of a fighter who did a fantastic job. At the same time I want to say that my boxer, Nzau, probably fought the fight of his life, and just gave everything he had. I’m extremely proud of him, and admire him more than ever”.
Previously in his career, Nzau have suffered controversial defeats to Bobby Vanzie (early stoppage), Silvano Usini (stopped on a cut) and Leva Kirakosyan (split decision) in title fights, and naturally he and his team had hoped that lady luck would look his way this time. Not so, and, according to Risum, the quest continues:
“I want to make Nzau a champion again before he retires, and I will do everything I can to secure him a new opportunity to become champion. Maybe we go for the Kenyan national title first, and then look for bigger things, because if Nzau fights like he did on Friday, there is no super featherweight in Africa who can hang with him”.
With the loss, Nzau drops to 18-6 (7), and the new champion goes to 14-4-1 (7). Promoter of the show was Algarve Mais Boxing, and Sport2 in Portugal televised. The fight will also be aired delayed on Eurosport at a not yet specified date.