KPBC, Lion Heart Boxing Productions enter landmark partnership

Tuesday 14 February carried with it a new dawn in Kenya’s pro-boxing scene, as full service global Boxing Sports and Entertainment company - Lion Heart Boxing Productions - announced their new partnership with Kenya’s professional boxing governing body KPBC.

The development, made official by KPBC President Reuben Ndolo and Lion Heart’s Chief Finance Officer cum Top Promoter Edward Mendy, will see the company founded in 2001, stage three fight nights in the country this year to kickstart its initial phase in the Kenyan market.

Spearheading the deep dive into the country, will be a March 16 2024 ‘Afrifite’ dubbed Shujaa Wa Mashujaa, set to be staged at Kinoru Stadium in Meru.

Known as a company that has broken boundaries in the boxing scene: be it hosting the first live heavyweight boxing event in Abu Dhabi history, or staging fights across five continents, the choice to have Lion Heart host their first ever event in Kenya in Meru, is of course one with the aim of chasing history, but also as a result of an association with Alpha Charlie Solutions - a Global Track company - with the sole focus being ‘kicking out teenage pregnancies in the region.’

“We are very proud to get the opportunity through KPBC to stage our first ever fight in Kenya,” Mendy told the press on Tuesday. “Having hosted a host of boxing events in Africa - Namibia, Zimbabwe and Egypt - I have seen the untapped talent that exists in the East African region and so after a proposal from Alpha Charlie, who are run by one of my in-laws (Purity Gikunda), to run a campaign at her home through boxing, I took the initiative to bring fights here, with the aim of apart from the familial ties, improve pro-boxing in the country.”

Forming part of the nine-match fight card, Kenya's Daniel Wanyonyi - former Africa Boxing Union champion - slated to go up against American boxer Kamron Humphrey in a 8 Rounds Super Middleweight fight that will form the Co-Main Event.

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The poster girl for the event - Charity Mukami - hailing from Meru, will fight Tanzanian prospect Leila Yusuph Macho in a Middleweight Feature Bout, with a clash of two undefeated Kenyan welterweights - Martin Achebi and John Juma - also on the cards.

“When exploring a new market, you want to get the best fight cards possible and I dare anyone to predict the outcome of any of these fights,” Mendy said of the bout selections. “A promoter’s dream is to pit as many undefeated boxers together and we have one of the best ones here.”

The main event will involve two-time Commonwealth and five class World Champion Lee McAllister (48-3) taking on Amos Mwamakula (15-9) in a 10 Rounds Middleweight bout.

“Our plan is to make this event a proper one with fan entertainment and hopefully bring back the love for boxing back in the country and in the East African region,” Mendy, a Gambian national said. “Thereafter, we will stage another fight night in Malindi - where Alpha Charlie is located - before shifting base to Nairobi.”

“This is such a bright way to start our year,” KPBC President Reuben Ndolo said of the new partnership. “We have over the years garnered various partnerships and this one is one of the best set to steer us in a different direction. My hope is that our boxers will show up and earn from this sport because it is very possible. I welcome you all for this new beginning.”

As per Caroline Gikunda, the co-promoter, all proceeds from the event will be directed towards Greenland School for Girls.