Daniel Wanyonyi among Saturday’s big winners in Nairobi Fight Night Rumble

Former Africa Boxing Union champion Daniel Wanyonyi announced his strong return to the ring after the shocking January 14 defeat to Karim Mtu Kazi Mandonga as he took less than a round to annihilate Ugandan opponent Charles Kakande in a six rounds non-title middleweight bout on Saturday night at the Kasarani Gymnasium, Nairobi.

Within the first 58 seconds of Round One, Wanyonyi had already floored the visibly inexperienced boxer to the canvas and when he beat the eight seconds stand count, he was back kissing the surface after a flurry of shots a few seconds later.

The end result - a third and final left hook from Wanyonyi that halted the highly one-sided bout in two minutes, nine seconds in favor of the Kenyan - clinching his 28th win of his impressive boxing career.

The statement was clear and he directed some jabs straight at Mandonga immediately in the post-match interview.

“This is the real Wanyonyi,” a smiling and confident Wanyonyi said inside the ring. “I think it's time they bring Mandonga to the ring. I am ready. Bring him now!”

As he admitted, Wanyonyi said that the fight on Saturday acted as a ‘redemption bout’ that was part of the process to him getting back to what was his 14th career loss as he suffered a sixth round technical knockout loss to Mandonga.

“I want to first apologize to my opponent [Kakande] for what hit him,” Wanyonyi said, eliciting laughs from the gathered crowd. “I am now back and what I want Mandonga to know is that a train-wreck is coming very soon. Tell him to be ready for a rematch.”

Among the boxers supporting Wanyonyi on in the background was Kenyan boxer Albert Kimario - who also was one of the winners in the night event.

Kimario (7-3-0) proved too strong for Tanzanian opponent George Bonabucha in the Pugilist Syndicate of Tanzania Bantamweight Title fight and was declared the winner through a majority judges’ decision.

“It was not an easy fight if I am being honest but I am very delighted with the win tonight,” Kimario said after his win. “This was a good opportunity to showcase my skills and I can’t wait to see what my future holds.”

To add onto the list of Kenyan winners on the MultiChoice-sponsored fight night, super featherweight boxer Plaxedus Oduori claimed the weight category PST title in the opening bout against Tanzanian boxer Zawadi Kutaka.

The match judges scored the fight 78-74, 77-75 and 78-74 all in favor of the Kenyan who was willing to defend her new title.

"The belt is now up for grabs," Oduori said. "Anyone who's willing to fight me is invited to do so. I am here."

On the losing end however, was the Kenyan duo of Consolata Musanga and Nick Otieno who all lost on a judges decision to Tanzanian opponents- Fatuma Yazidu and Hassan Ndonga in their respective Super bantamweight bouts.

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On the whole, bar the fan attendance and pre-fight night hype and banter that was fairly non-existent, it was a good sight to witness a crop of East African boxers collaborate to make the event a success.

That, and the effort by the DStv media team took a lot of boxing enthusiasts back to the days when fights were a norm.

With the assurance from Nancy Matimu - Managing Director of MultiChoice that such fights within the East African boxers were in the pipeline, it remains to be seen what an impact that will hold for the future of boxing in the region.