Sande gives up regional ties

Kenya’s Collins Sande Otieno has had to relinquish all the three boxing titles he held before capturing the World Boxing Council International bantamweight title in Nairobi last Saturday.

Sande knocked out Ghana’s Wilson Lankwei in the third round at Grand Regency Hotel, Nairobi to take the WBC International title.

The WBC vice president, Houcine Houichi, who is also the Africa Boxing Union boss, said Sande’s decision to relinquish all other titles he held was in line with WBC rules and regulations, which do not allow title holders from opposing bodies to vie for WBC titles.

Prior to Saturday’s bout, Sande held three titles — the World Boxing Foundation (WBF), Africa Boxing Union (ABU) and East and Central Africa, which are under the auspices of ABU.

Houichi said he had only allowed Sande to vie for the vacant title after his manager, Roberto Owino, delivered a letter, which stated that Sande had relinquished the other titles. 

“I would not have allowed the fight to take place if the Kenyan boxer had failed to relinquish the WBF title, which we do not recognise,” Houichi said,

Houichi said the ABU and regional titles that Sande held are now vacant and would be up for grabs. 

He said former Kenya lightweight champion, Kevin Onyango, 20, would vie for a vacant ABU title with Ghana’s Lartei Lartey on March 24 in Kumasi, Ghana.

On the same day in Kampala, Ugandan ABU light-welterweight title holder Badru Lusambya will face challenger Hassan Matumla of Tanzania. 

Kenya’s continental judge Lilian Olero has been picked as one of the three judges for the bout.

Also at Houichi’s press conference were WBC championship committee chairman Mauri Betti of Italy, KPBC patron Reuben Ndolo, KPBC chairman Stanley Livondo and KPBC secretary Shaaban Ogolla.

During the Saturday bouts, three Kenyan fighters won world titles.

Fatuma Zarika successfully defended her World International Boxing Federation (WIBF) women’s bantamweight title with a hard-fought 10-round win over Bulgarian Galina Kolevu Ivanova.

Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) champion Nick “Kanyankole” Otieno defeated compatriot Twalib “Tanker” Mubiru in seven rounds.

The show was promoted by Caleb Kuya of Osaga de la International Promotion.

Sande Otieno won the vacant WBC international title with a three round knock out over Wilson Lankwei of Ghana.

The Ghanian boxers started well the bout some telling right blows which sent Sande back pedalling. However , in the second round the Kenya boxer regained his rythm with body punches.

It came as no surpised in the third round when Lankwei dropped his guard and found himself in an akward being pumelled with flurry of head blows. It was at this juncture the referee Alfred Bunqwane of South Africa quickly jumped in between to halt the one sided affair.

Both Ghaian boxer and his second Godwin Kotey protested over the stoppage claiming that it wa unwarranted.

Kenya’s Zarika won her bout buty after being extended to full distance against the stubborn and tough Bulgarian Ivanova.Zarika retained gher WIBF title with a 94-96, 98-95 and 97-94 points win.

In another world title duel Otieno “Kanyankole” made a meal of compatrior Mubiru with a seven round kayo win. Mubiru was stunned and his second jumped into the ring to protest.

“I am not amused at all with the manner the referee Wycliffee Marende did to me” a disappointed Mubiru told journalists in the dressing room.

Other non supporting bouts featherweight Judy Waguthi defeated Rukia Nasirate in points in 6 round bout while Ugandan Agnes Adongo drew with Jane Kavulane in a keenly contested featherweight 6 round fight.

Promoter Kuya thanked Telkom Kenya, Telkom Wireless, Blue Shield Insurance and Ha Ha company which provided fesh water during the show.