Rayton Okwiri defeats Chikodi Makawa to win Waba Middleweight title

Rayton "Boom Boom" Okwiri is the new World Alliance Boxing Association (Waba) Africa Middleweight champion.

Okwiri beat Chikodi Makawa of Malawi on a unanimous points decision at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

Okwiri, who is a former Africa Boxing Union (ABU) champion, gave his opponent no chance, scoring 100-90 from all three judges to win the title at Nyayo.

Okwiri has nine wins, a loss and a draw (9-1-1) while Makawa’s record 15-17-1.

It was the first time Okwiri, 37, was fighting since claiming a unanimous decision against Shabani Ally Ndaro from Tanzania in a non-title contest at Kenyatta International Convention Centre on January 14 this year.

Makawa, 31, who is yet to fight for any major title, was fresh from another unanimous decision victory against fellow countryman Chimwemwe Chiotcha on August 5 in Lilongwe.

But the Malawian was no match for the Kenyan at Nyayo. Okwiri controlled the bout virtually all the rounds as the experienced Malawian socked in the punches.

It's only in the eighth round that Makawa showed some brilliance, but Okwiri, the 2016 Rio Olympian, was fast to take control of the duel.

Okwiri said the victory gave him good preparations ahead of his bout against Africa Boxing Union light middleweight champion, Tanzania's Hassan Mwakinyo.

"He has evaded me for long but he won't escape this time around," vowed Okwiri. "He is an orthodox boxer just like me and I believe I shall prevail with good training."

Okwiri said that he has been longing to fight Mwakinyo because he is a good boxer and highly rated in the world.

"You can only be the best if you fight the best. Our meeting is long overdue and I believe I will triumph," said Okwiri, who stretched his record to nine wins, a loss and a draw.

Okwiri disclosed that he almost quit professional boxing due to lack of promotions but decided to make a return in January this year after he acquired some sponsorship.

"That is why I want to dedicate this belt to Finix Promotion and Kenya Prisons who have supported me since January," said Okwiri.

Okwiri said that he has been promised a WABA World title shot next year in Dubai.

"It's after the World title that I shall know if I will fight for another major belt at World Boxing Council or International Boxing Federation," said Okwiri.

It was a Kenyan affair on the night.

Former Africa Boxing Union cruiserweight champion Daniel Wanyonyi needed a minute of the second round to knockout Tanzania's Kaminja Ramadhan in their super middleweight bout that was scheduled to go for eight rounds.

Albert Kimario continued with his rise to also claim a technical knockout against Tanzania's Baina Mazola in one minute and 40 seconds of the fourth round.

Kimario had taken Mazola to the canvas twice, in the second and fourth round of the super bantamweight bout before the Tanzanian boxer handlers decided to intervene and halt the bout.

Kimario stretched his record to nine wins, no loss and a draw.

Kenya's Praxides Anyango also claimed a fourth round technical knockout victory against Halima Bando from Tanzania in women's featherweight contest.

Alvin Owino took a unanimous decision victory against fellow Kenyan Dan Oluoch in their super welterweight contest, while Elizabeth Akinyi beat Lucy Macho from Tanzania.

Macho had erroneously declared the winner before the victory was overturned.