Kenyan super lightweight boxer, Everline Odero, has defeated Zimbabwean boxer, Monalisa Sibanda to claim the World International Boxing Association (WIBA) title.
Odero, who is popularly known as “Lioness” won the close contest on unanimous points decision of 100-90, 99-97 and 100-90 from the three judges in a bout that was staged at Treasure Gardens, Nairobi on Saturday.
The victory extended Odero’s record to nine wins, nine loses and two draws. The 33-year old boxer dominated the first three rounds of the global duel.
There were tense moments for the partisan crowd in the fifth round when the Zimbabwean landed an uppercut that left Odero struggling for balance. But from then on Lioness soldiered on to win the 10 round-contest.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It really feels great to win especially at home. I have been longing for this victory and I thank God,”[/perfectpullquote]
said Odero.
However, her opponent Sibanda, who kissed the canvass twice in the third round to receive six standing counts from referee complained that the results were not fair.
“I believe I won and the results were not fair. I want to meet Odero gain,”said Sibanda.
In earlier curtain-raiser matches, former WBC batman weight title contender Jane Kavuliani beat Ugandan Aciro Small in unanimous points decision in their lightweight bout.
In another bout Kenya’s Aziz Ali registered his first professional victory when he defeated Yobe Abbas of Uganda through a unanimous points decision.
Ali registered 60-54, 59-55 and 60-57 in their cruiserweight non-title fight.
In another fight, Uganda’s Kidega Dragon lost through technical knockout to George Owano of Kenya in a fight that was stopped in the third round.
