David Kiilu Wins Three-Round War In Nairobi

25.06.2006: By Geoffrey Mpenda – Another chapter of the Pal Pal Punchers series at the Pal Pal Gymnasium in Nairobi, Kenya had everything the fans could desire. Nice boxing, furious exchanges, a dramatic knockout, finesse, experience, bombast and new talent entering the paid ranks of the world’s hardest sport. Risum Boxing of Denmark promoted, in association with our very own former African heavyweight champion Joseph Akhasamba..

In the opening bout of this Saturday afternoon card (June 24), at bantamweight, Nick “Kanyankole” Otieno stayed undefeated (4-0) with a skilled performance against Wambua Mutema who was fighting professionally for the first time. Otieno produced the cleaner punching, and higher work-rate, to register a unanimous decision after four quality rounds. All three judges scored the bout 40 to 36.

At welterweight, Risum Boxing-managed debutant “Jesse” James Kimori impressed with an aggressive display against late substitute Caleb Amianda. Kimori put the pressure on his lanky foe from the word go, and looked unfazed with his sudden change of opponent. He was originally scheduled to fight former Kenyan champion Henry Jesai, but Jesai was forced to pull out the day before the show, due to a leg injury suffered while doing roadwork.

In the third round, Kimori underlined his superiority with bunches of punches, before referee Douglas Maina intervened and stopped the onslaught. Kimori could very well turn out to be an interesting addition to the professional circuit in Kenya, and brings over vast experience from the amateurs, where he won the national welterweight title in 2003.

Samson “The Hammer” Onyango didn’t waste any time in knocking out the over-matched Mustafa Noor from Uganda in a light heavyweight fight set for eight rounds. Onyango knocked Noor down near the end of the first round with a nicely timed right hand, and, after a count to eight, the fight was mercifully stopped with Noor still on the floor. Onyango is now 8-0 (5), and need better opposition to move to the next level. Unfortunately, the possibilities of stronger adversaries are very few in Kenya, so the matchmakers can be forgiven to some extend. It’s noteworthy that Noor is normally a cruiserweight, while Onyango usually campaigns at super middleweight.

In the shows main event, scheduled for eight rounds at super featherweight, fireworks erupted in the first round, as rivals David Kiilu and George Owenge traded to-to-toe for most of the three minutes. Both boxers gave and took almost constantly, but as the bell made referee Stephen Okumu step between the two, Owenge looked the worst for wear.

In the second, Kiilu, who goes by the nickname “Silent Danger”, did not come out silent from his corner, and started to get the better of the brave Owenge, who was still dangerous and always in the fight with a punchers chance, having won all his six victories inside the distance. But in the third, the more experienced Kiilu established his dominance and connected with hard shots continuously, which made Okumo step in and save Owenge. It was very entertaining as long as it lasted, but in the end Kiilu just had too much in the bag for Owenge to handle. The winner is now 24-7-2 (12).

Bantamweight Charles Damas was left disappointed and without a fight, when his opponent didn’t show up at the venue.