Okwiri takes down Makawi to win WABA Supreme Africa title

Rayton Okwiri was crowned the World Alliance Boxing Association (WABA) Supreme Africa middleweight champion with a unanimous points decision victory over Chikonda Makawa on Saturday.

The Malawian Makawa ended the 10th and final round of the contest backed up on the ropes as Okwiri found an explosive finish to close out a commanding show under the lights at the Nyayo Gymnasium.

It was a ninth career win for the impressive Okwiri who triumphed 100-90, 100-90 and 100-90 on the scorecards of the three judges while the result marked the 17th career loss for Makawa (15-17-1).

Organisers Finix had set up a six-event ‘Fight Night’ featuring five none-title bouts that included Daniel Wanyonyi who crushed Tanzanian rival Kaminja Ramadhan after just one minute and forty seconds.

Kenyan boxing great Fatuma Zarika was ringside to watch Okwiri, and helped him whip up the supporters into a frenzy during a protracted ring walk.

The 37-year-old made the grand entrance wearing a shiny Halloween mask and an orange robe laced in gold, and was escorted by a large entourage dressed in combat gear.

The first round was a cagey affair with both fighters unable to establish any sort of early dominance.

Okwiri, moving well, continued to prove a difficult target to hit during the second round and made inroads himself on Makawa who absorbed the shots pretty well.

The Malawina also succeeded with a couple of right hands, albeit without full force, in the latter rounds having previously struggled to connect with that punch against the elusive Kenyan.

But Okwiri was still making the more contact in a seventh round where his flurry helped raise the voices of the home fans.

Come the final bell on the 10th, Okwiri kissed his fist and pointed to the sky in a gesture of apparent triumph which the judges then confirmed.