The Kenyatta Day boxing bonanza scheduled for tomorrow by the newly-formed Federation of Professional Boxing of Kenya (FPBK) has been cancelled.

FPBK chairman Peter Orwa said yesterday that the promoter Irshad Sumra has not fulfilled the requirements necessary to be allowed to host the fights. 

Orwa explained: "The boxers have not signed fight contracts and the promoter has not come to us to tell us what has gone wrong".

The fights were to take place at the City Cabanas. 

Kenya flyweight champion Moses Kinyua was to defend his title against top contender Hamisi Shabaan in a 10-round bout. Shabaan is based in Mombasa.

Two elimination super-welterweight bouts, a six-round heavyweight bout and two women's contests had been on the card.also been arranged.

The elimination bouts were to feature Ken Oyolo and Shadrack Kipruto, Njoka Ngandu and Jamal Ochieng'. In the women's show were to be light-welterweight Conjestina Achieng' and Naomi Muthoni and lightweight Fatuma Zarika and Jane Kavulani.

Orwa, one time chairman of the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission, has blamed some members of his committee for not consulting him.

* On the amateur scene, the inter-cities contest between Nairobi and Kampala scheduled for next month in Nairobi has been postponed.

Amateur Boxing Association of Kenya Nairobi branch secretary Steve Gacheru said yesterday the event would be held in January 2004.

The Ugandans won the first leg of the event early this year in Kampala.

* The Federation of East Southern and Central Africa Amateur Boxing Associations championship, which were to be held in Nairobi on December 12 as part of Kenya's Jamhuri Day celebrations, has been shelved to February 2004.

A top boxing official said the event has been postponed because most of the member countries whose boxers are in the armed forces will be engaged in the World Military Games in Italy from December 4-12.

The event which had not been held for six years was revived last December when Kenya hosted it and won the overall team title with four gold medals.

Comments\Views about this article