Nairobi County leads way in exciting BFK National Novices

Nairobi County dominated the 2025 National Novices Championship held over the weekend at Green Park Hall, Nairobi.

The hosts claimed six victories in the heated finals, with Kisumu County emerging second with three winners.

Nakuru, Kirinyaga, Kilifi, Kajiado, Mombasa and Nyeri on the other hand had one victor each, with the three-day competition attracting all 18 county teams.

Among the big winners on the final day which had 17 bouts was light-welterweight Samuel Mathu, who showed immense prowess in his 3-0 rounds victory over Nairobi’s Felix Kuria.

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Mathu, a product of the Ongata Rongai Boxing Club, drew plaudits from boxing legends present, almost to his disbelief.

“It's incredible. Never thought I’d be here,” an ecstatic Mathu said after his bout. “I have been here twice, unfortunately lost both of my fights but here I am again as champion.”

Asked what worked this year, he said: “God and discipline. Getting to this point is really tough but I believe my parents’ prayers and the kind of discipline and dedication I have put in to prepare for the fights has worked a great deal."

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Also joining Mathu to the National Intermediates as champion was young talent Sheila Auma from Kibra, who fought her way to a gritty bantamweight victory over associate Evelyne Nyambura.

“I had lost to her (Nyambura) in Kaloleni a few months ago and had to do some revenge,” Auma, a huge fan of Hit Squad’s Amina Martha, told Mozzart Sport after her win.

“I am so proud of how I dug deep today, and it is my hope that my journey will take me to the national level.”

In one of the other exciting bouts, Nakuru’s Eunice Muthoni used her reach to overpower her compatriot Cynthia Sirikwa, leaping high as her hand was raised at the end of three gruelling rounds.

The 33-year-old, who took up boxing “for fun” was making her debut in the novices and said she did not expect to emerge victorious.

“It was completely unexpected because my opponent was heavier than me,” Muthoni said. “My faith and hunger however stood out.”

Philip Derick of Mombasa pulled arguably the biggest surprise of the championship when he edged past Nairobi’s John Muthiani, who was backed by a vehement crowd, in a feisty light-middleweight clash.

Derrick superbly calmed the noise by scoring a knockdown in the first round, before evenly trading blows with Muthiani to pick the big win.

Bella Owino of Nakuru was no match for Nairobi’s Sally Ajema as she suffered a barrage of shots to her face in the first round, forcing her to throw in the towel.

Migori’s Charles Okendo was also beaten in the first round after suffering a cut that gave victory to cruiserweight Clinton Mwangi, while Kilifi’s Ramathan Ngala battled through three intense rounds to outscore fellow lightweight Ayub Waweru of Nakuru.

All finalists - winners and runners-up - will now look forward to the forthcoming National Intermediate Championship set for 20-22 February in Thika, Kiambu County.