Kenya’s Praxides Anyango (left) celebrates with Betnare’s Terrence Mutongerwa after winning her fight against Jane Kavulani. Anyango is one of the boxers to benefit from the Sh100,000 donation from betting company Betnare. PHOTO: COURTESY
Solid Rock Promotions, organisers of the recent boxing extravaganza at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre are promising for more exciting fights in the new future.
Mike Odongo an official of the boxing promotion company said they are working with corporates to have an even bigger event in April in Nairobi.
In some selected bouts, Tanzania’s Karim Mandonga beat Kenya’s Daniel Wanyonyi hugely hyped fight while the main bout saw former Africa Boxing Union champion Rayton ‘Boom Boom’ Okwiri narrowly defeated by his Tanzanian opponent Ally Ndaro on points in their 10 rounds contest.
Odongo spoke as he received a cheque of Sh 100,000 from betting company Betnare to be shared amongst four boxers as part of their preparations for future bouts.
The boxers to benefit from the donation are Lucien Botumbe, Bernard Oduor, Praxides Anyango and Vincent Ouma.
Odongo said it is from the large turnout and good organization witnessed last Sunday (at KICC) that corporates will embrace boxing and come to support boxers.
“We appreciate the goodwill from Betnare in donating Ksh 100,000 to the four boxers to help in their training and preparation. We as those involved in boxing promotion urge more corporates to come and support boxing from grassroot level,” Odongo said.
It is estimated that over 2,500 fans attended the weekend’s event, the largest turnout in a boxing event in recent history.
Solid Rock is also looking at signing TV rights in future to have the boxing events covered live.
The promotion company is planning to hold a series of boxing events in different parts of the country to uplift the standards of the game.
Lydia Njeri, the Betnare Public Relations representative said the company will work closely with Solid Rock and the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission in their mission.
“Betnare is committed to bringing back the glory of boxing by continually supporting the sport down to the grassroot level,” said Njeri.
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