Championship Bouts Set for January 2026

NAIROBI – Two of Kenya’s most prominent professional boxers, Fatuma “Iron Fist” Zarika and Rayton “Boom Boom” Okwiri, have earned shots at Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC) titles. The championship bouts are scheduled to take place in Nairobi on Friday, January 30, 2026, following the boxers' decisive victories in elimination fights held in the city. The event marks a significant moment for Kenyan boxing, offering a platform for the seasoned fighters to reclaim international glory before a home crowd.

The announcement was confirmed by Kalakoda Promotions chairman Saul Loggenberg, who facilitated the CBC eliminators on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the MassHouse, Ngong Racecourse. In that event, Zarika secured a unanimous decision victory over Tanzanian Halima Vunajebi, while Okwiri delivered a third-round knockout against Uganda’s Muhamad Sebyala.

Zarika’s Quest for Redemption

Fatuma Zarika, 40, will get a highly anticipated rematch against Britain’s Kirsty Hill for the CBC super featherweight title. Zarika previously lost the title to Hill in a contentious split decision 20 months prior at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England. “I believe I won the contest, but one judge thought otherwise,” Zarika stated after her recent win. “I took it in stride but this presented another opportunity to set the record straight. I am glad it could be here at home.” A victory for Zarika, a former World Boxing Council (WBC) super-bantamweight champion, could be a stepping stone towards another world title shot, potentially for the WBC world title. Her professional record now stands at 35 wins, 14 losses, and 2 draws.

Okwiri’s Undefeated Challenge

Rayton Okwiri, 39, a former Africa Boxing Union (ABU) middleweight champion, will challenge the current CBC middleweight champion, George Liddard of Britain. The 23-year-old Liddard is a formidable, undefeated opponent with a perfect record in 13 fights. Okwiri, whose record improved to 12 wins, one loss, and one draw after his recent knockout victory, is determined to make his mark. A win against Liddard would not only secure the Commonwealth belt but could also position Okwiri for a WBC silver title fight, a direct pathway to a world championship challenge. Okwiri, a 2016 Olympian, relinquished his ABU title in 2019 to pursue a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Implications for Kenyan Boxing

The upcoming title fights in Nairobi represent a significant boost for the Kenyan professional boxing scene. The event, organized by Kalakoda Promotions, is part of a broader effort to host regular, high-profile bouts in the country. The involvement of the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) and the recent re-election of its chairman, Reuben Ndolo, as the president of the Commonwealth Boxing Council, signals a renewed impetus to develop the sport locally. Ndolo has expressed his commitment to creating an environment where Kenyan boxers can thrive professionally. Staging these championship fights in Nairobi provides crucial visibility and opportunity for local fighters, potentially inspiring a new generation and re-establishing Kenya as a boxing hub in Africa. A victory for both Zarika and Okwiri would not only be a personal triumph but a major morale boost for the entire Kenyan sporting community.