- SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri announces leading gaming firm’s comeback to boost boxing events in the country.
- The Captain made the remarks on Saturday, November 29, during the fifth edition of the Ultra Fighting Series (UFS BXNG) Night, where SportPesa served as the principal sponsor.
- He further revealed that SportPesa has a long-term strategy aimed at revitalising and restoring boxing events nationwide.
Leading online gaming firm SportPesa has announced its full-fledged return to bolstering boxing talent in Kenya, as declared by its Chief Executive Officer, Captain Ronald Karauri.
The Captain made the remarks on Saturday, November 29, during the fifth edition of the Ultra Fighting Series (UFS BXNG) Night, where SportPesa served as the principal sponsor at the Edge Convention Centre in South C, Nairobi.
Karauri, speaking after the conclusion of the eight-fight card headlined by the Women’s Pugilistic Syndicate of Tanzania (PST) Super Bantamweight title bout, affirmed that SportPesa is officially back to championing boxing in the country after an almost six-year hiatus.
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SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri announces leading gaming firm’s comeback to boost boxing
The organisation had withdrawn its support in 2019 despite previously being heavily invested in nurturing local sports.
“SportPesa is now fully back to supporting boxing. I understand Consolata mentioned other companies because there was a time we were shut down for a while, but now we are completely back,” he stated.
He further revealed that SportPesa has a long-term strategy aimed at restoring boxing events nationwide.
The initiative includes reigniting grassroots talent, elevating major competitions, and enabling Kenyan fighters to compete on global stages.
We have a bigger vision and program as SportPesa. We will start from the grassroots and we will start building our fighters once again. We will have many more events such as these in the coming year.
We want to take Kenya back to the years where we had champions all over the world in boxing. We shall host bigger events again and we will ensure we bring those prestigious belts back to Kenya, like the WBC, because we have the talent and the support is back.”
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He acknowledged that supporting boxing had once been a heavy responsibility for the gaming firm, but assured fans that this time, SportPesa is fully capable of sustaining its commitment.
Sometimes the burden is immense because everyone looks to SportPesa to handle everything in sports. Previously, it was a load we could not carry, but I want to assure everyone that SportPesa is back. We can shoulder the responsibility, and we aim to help all our boxers reach international standards,” he added.
SportPesa UFS BXNG- November 29 recap
In the main bout of Sunday night, 35-year-old Consolata Musanga of Kenya faced Swedish contender Sandra Attermo in a fiercely contested 10-round duel that went the distance.
The winner was declared through a unanimous decision from the three judges, who scored in favour of Consolata with tallies of 99-91, 96-94, and 96-94.
Meanwhile, other bouts saw Richard Okoth dominate Ugandan fighter Bruno Muweezi in a six-round welterweight match, securing victory through a third-round knockout.
Two Kenyan fighters; Javan Buyu and Abdul Hakim, also squared off in their rematch during a six-round lightweight clash, where Buyu successfully defended his title, winning within three rounds.
In the women’s category, an electrifying six-round super-featherweight encounter featured 18-year-old Marion Akankunda of Uganda against 23-year-old Leila Yazidu of Tanzania.
Yazidu triumphed through a commanding points decision of 57-57, 59-57, and 60-65.
Another gripping showdown on Sunday involved professional debutants Kevin Gachee and Wycliffe Adabu in a middleweight title contest.
Gachee, who was not only fighting but also advocating for men’s mental health for Movember, clinched victory with a knockout punch.
Karauri concluded by expressing gratitude to UFS BXNG proprietor Maurice Odera, who has played a pivotal role in reviving the sport in Kenya as UFS celebrated its fifth edition on Saturday.
“I want to thank Maurice for the incredible work he has done, alongside the other event organisers. Congratulations to Consolata and all the fighters who were here tonight. If you didn’t win, there is always another chance,” the captain concluded.
