- SportPesa Boxing Night (first quarter edition) is set for Good Friday, April 3, at the Edge Convention Centre.
- UFS Boxing, in collaboration with main sponsor and leading online gaming firm SportPesa, will stage a total of 10 electrifying bouts.
- Headlining the showdown will be a World Boxing Association (WBA) Africa Gold Lightweight title clash, with Kenya’s sensational John Juma taking on Tanzania’s Charles Chilala.
Easter weekend is set to kick off on a thrilling note for boxing fans, as the SportPesa Boxing Night (first quarter edition) is scheduled for Friday, April 3 at the Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi.
UFS BXNG, in collaboration with main sponsor and leading online gaming firm SportPesa, will stage a total of 10 electrifying bouts.
The lineup includes five headline fights with championship belts on the line, while the remaining five undercard clashes will build up the excitement.
SportPesa Boxing Night returns to life in the country following a KSh 40 million sponsorship deal aimed at uplifting local boxers.
This quarter’s main event follows the launch of the SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars series, where two fights were staged and broadcast live on the SportPesa YouTube channel earlier this year in January and February.
ALSO READ: SportPesa inject 40 million to revive Kenyan boxing in UFS partnership
SportPesa Boxing Night – Friday, April 3 Preview
Headlining the Good Friday showdown at the Edge Convention Centre will be a World Boxing Association (WBA) Africa Gold Lightweight title bout. The 10-round contest will pit Kenya’s sensational John Juma against Tanzania’s Charles Chilala.
This clash will be historic, marking the first time a WBA belt is contested on Kenyan soil.
Juma will be flying the Kenyan flag high as he fights for his first professional title since turning pro in 2024.
The 31-year-old steps into the ring with an unblemished record of 11 wins, including nine knockouts.
His most recent outing was at the SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars event in January, where he secured a knockout victory over Tanzania’s David Mbumba in an eight-round bout.
Juma is determined to maintain his flawless streak, noting that preparations have been intense and focused on securing victory.
“Since we started training, we have adjusted a few things in camp. We’ve been working hard, and I believe we are ready for the big day on Friday,” Juma said at the training centre. “I don’t know much about my opponent, but I’m fully prepared. Our conditioning and physical training have been on point.”
The Baba Dogo-based boxer believes he has what it takes to ensure the WBA belt remains in Kenya upon its debut.
“I want to thank SportPesa for making this happen alongside UFS Boxing. I promise not to let Kenyans down. As the WBA makes its debut here, I believe the belt will stay in the country,” he added.
Juma will go toe-to-toe, glove-to-glove against an opponent who has been in the game since his debut back in 2016. Chilala steps into the ring with a record of 17 bouts: 11 wins (six by KO), three losses (one by KO), and three draws.
Chilala’s last outing was back in December 2025, where he faced fellow Tanzanian Ramadhan Omary Kondo and won by a wide margin on the cards.
Also known as Bondia kutoka Ifakara, just like Juma, he too will be chasing his first WBA crown in this thrilling headliner.
Before the main event, fans will enjoy the nine other contests of the day, including four additional title tilts.
Kenya’s Javan Buyu will be aiming to clinch the Pugilistic Syndicate of Tanzania (PST) lightweight title when he steps into the ring against Tanzania’s Athumani Nassoro.
Buyu carries a six-fight winning streak, three by knockout, and will look to extend it against the undefeated Nassoro.
In another title clash in the women’s division, Tanzania’s Leila Yazidu will face Rael Asubwe in a 10-round PST super-featherweight contest.
Two national titles will also be up for grabs. Richard Okoth will take on David Oluoch in a 10-round national welterweight bout, while Michael Oduor faces Stanley Mukholo for the national super welterweight crown.
In non-title action, former WBC women’s super-bantamweight champion Fatuma Zarika makes her return to the ring in a super featherweight contest against Tanzania’s Flora Machela.
Other undercard bouts include Abdirahim Bashir versus Victor Komen in a six-round super flyweight contest, Alice Waiyego against Stacy Odindo in a four-round women’s lightweight bout, Stephen Kimani versus Duncan Otieno in a four-round cruiserweight clash, and James Mugeni taking on Samuel Muendo in a six-round bantamweight fight.
Where to get tickets for the SportPesa Boxing Night – Friday April 3 – WBA Gold title: John Juma vs Charles Chilala
Tickets for the SportPesa Boxing Night are now available, and fans can secure theirs via ticketsasa.com.
General admission tickets are priced at KSh 1,000, while ringside seats go for KSh 3,500. No tickets will be sold on the event day, with the deadline set for April 2.
Gates will open at 5:00 PM EAT, with the first bout starting at 6:00 PM. The action-packed event is expected to run through to midnight.
SportPesa Boxing Night – Friday April 3 – Fight Card
Title Bouts
- WBA Africa Gold Lightweight Title: John Juma vs Charles Chilala (10 rounds) – Main Event
- PST Lightweight Title: Javan Buyu vs Athumani Nassoro -10 rounds
- PST Women’s Super-Featherweight Title: Rael Asubwe vs Leila Yazidu -10 rounds
- National Welterweight Title: Richard Okoth vs David Oluoch -10 rounds
- National Super Welterweight Title: Michael Oduor vs Stanley Mukholo 10 rounds
Non-Title Bouts
- Women’s Super-Featherweight: Fatuma Zarika vs Flora Machela (8 rounds)
- Super Flyweight: Abdirahim Bashir vs Victor Komen 6 rounds
- Women’s Lightweight: Alice Waiyego vs Stacy Odindo 4 rounds
- Cruiserweight: Stephen Kimani vs Duncan Otieno 4 rounds
- Bantamweight: James Mugeni vs Samuel Muendo 6 rounds