Kenyan cruiserweight to contest for historic Commonwealth title in Nairobi
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 04.06.26. | 21:03
Should the 33-year-old secure victory, he will become the sixth Kenyan to accomplish the feat
Pugilist Joshua Wasike will look to become only the sixth Kenyan to hold a Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC) title when he headlines an international cruiserweight showdown on Friday, 26 June at Masshouse, Ngong Road in Nairobi.
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Wasike, the newly-minted East and Central African champion, will step a rank higher in his bid to dominate the region, coming up against Malawi’s Antony Banda, in what is billed as the main event of the ‘Nightmare in Nairobi V’ fight-night organised by Kalakoda Promotions.
“This is another massive step forward for boxing in the region,” Kalakoda Head of Boxing Marvin Obuya stated after the fight announcement.
“A Commonwealth title fight of this magnitude reflects the growth of the sport in East Africa, and our commitment to giving fighters the platform they deserve. Wasike vs Banda is a championship-level matchup that fans will remember.”
With a 7-1-0 record, former national team boxer Wasike will look to make use of his close to two decades of experience against the relatively untested Banda, who only turned professional two years ago in September 2024.
The 29-year-old southpaw from Nkhotakota will be contesting his sixth fight, and his first that is slated for the full 10 rounds.
Having lost his debut bout, Banda will, however, carry some threat, as he is currently on a four-fight winning streak, with three of them being stoppages. His last fight came at light-heavyweight in March this year, when he beat fellow countryman Mussa Mkwanda via unanimous decision.
As for Wasike, who began boxing at the tender age of 13, the upcoming fight will be his first since his crowning moment in late February, when he secured a third-round stoppage victory over Tanzania’s Jacob Maganga, to lift his first major professional belt.
Should the 33-year-old go all the way to claim the title in front of him this time, Wasike will join rarefied air in the country, joining an elite class of Kenyan boxers to be crowned Commonwealth title champions.
In that class, include: light-flyweight Stephen Muchoki, featherweight Modest Napunyi, light-middleweight Joshua “Poison” Onyango, light-weight Michael “Lonzi” Muya, and current super-lightweight champion Sarah "Angel of War" Achieng.
The Friday, 26 June card is expected to feature a full evening of professional bouts, rising regional talent, and championship-calibre entertainment, with further fight announcements to follow in the coming weeks.
Tickets, broadcast details, and official fight week activities will be announced soon, through Kalakoda Promotions’ official platforms.