The final leg of the 2025 National Boxing League is set to take place at the Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu from Thursday, November 20, to Saturday, November 22. This concluding round will serve as the final selection trial for the national team, known as the 'Hit Squad', ahead of their residential training for the Elite World Men's Boxing Championships scheduled for December 2-13 in Dubai.

The announcement was confirmed by the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) Secretary General, David Munuhe, who stated that the dates were strategically set to allow the league to conclude in time for the national team's preparations for the global tournament. "Our concentration is fixed on our participation in the global championships in a few weeks, which prompted us to come up with new dates so that we could complete the league championships in good time," Munuhe said on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

High Stakes in Kisumu

The Kisumu event marks the culmination of a competitive season that has seen teams travel across the country, including a recent penultimate leg in Nanyuki. The stakes are incredibly high for individual boxers, as their performance will directly influence their selection for the prestigious Dubai championships. The BFK anticipates sending a full contingent of 13 boxers, offering significant international exposure to the selected athletes.

The league has been fiercely contested, primarily between defending champions Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and record champions Kenya Police. KDF won the fourth leg in Nanyuki, narrowing the gap with Kenya Police who were leading the overall standings. The intense rivalry between these disciplined forces, alongside formidable teams like Kenya Prisons and various county teams, is expected to deliver an explosive finale at Ofafa Memorial Hall.

State of Kenyan Boxing

This selection process comes at a crucial time for Kenyan boxing. The sport, which historically is Kenya's second most successful after athletics with seven Olympic medals, has faced challenges in recent years, including funding shortages and a lack of consistent international exposure. However, recent developments signal a potential resurgence. In March 2025, the entire BFK executive, led by President Anthony “Jamal” Otieno, was re-elected unopposed, with a renewed mandate to develop the sport from the grassroots level through initiatives like 'Ndondi Mashinani'.

The federation has also focused on improving technical capacity, increasing the number of internationally certified referees and judges. Hosting the Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships in Nairobi in October 2025 provided a vital platform for young boxers to gain international experience. Despite these positive steps, BFK officials acknowledge that financial constraints remain a significant hurdle, often limiting participation in overseas tournaments crucial for boxer development.

The Road to Dubai and Beyond

Following the conclusion of the Kisumu leg, the selected 'Hit Squad' will immediately enter a residential training camp to prepare for the Dubai championships. This intensive preparation is critical for the team to be competitive on the world stage. The performance in Dubai will be a key indicator of the current strength of Kenyan boxing and a stepping stone towards future competitions, including the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The BFK leadership, under President Otieno, who also heads the Africa Zone 3 body, has expressed a long-term vision of restoring Kenya's status as a continental boxing powerhouse. Success in the ring is seen as pivotal, but so are structural reforms, including securing stable corporate sponsorships and embedding boxing in school sports programs to create a sustainable talent pipeline. The final bouts in Kisumu are therefore more than just the end of a domestic league; they represent the selection of pugilists who will carry the nation's hopes and signal the future direction of this celebrated Kenyan sport.