Karim “Mtu Kazi” Mandonga of Tanzania has defeated Uganda’s Kenneth Lukyamuzi in a split decision to claim the vacant regional Pugilistic Syndicate of Tanzania (PST) light heavyweight title.
Mandonga used his reach advantage to outclass Lukyamuzi, winning by scores of 74-78, 77-75, and 77-75 at the Moi International Sports Center Gymnasium.
After the fight, Mandonga immediately called for a rematch with Kenya’s Daniel Wanyonyi, who also won on the same night by knocking out Uganda’s Charles Kakande in the first round.
Mandonga confidently stated that he would beat Wanyonyi anytime and anywhere and that the fight wouldn’t last more than three rounds.
Mandonga had previously defeated Wanyonyi in December with a fifth-round technical knockout, and winning the PST light heavyweight title should give him a good financial boost.
He mentioned that he was rewarded with two cars back home for his victory over Wanyonyi, and winning the title should earn him a “story” building.
Wanyonyi, who declared that he is back to his previous form, acknowledged that he was rusty during their previous fight and promised to silence Mandonga in the first round of their rematch.
Kenyan boxers had mixed fortunes on the same night, with Plaxedus Oduori winning the vacant Pugilistic Regional Syndicate of Tanzania Female Super Featherweight title in a split-point decision against Tanzania’s Zawadi Kutaka. However, Nick “Kanyankole” Otieno and Consolata Musanga lost in their attempts to win similar titles.
Kanyankole lost to Tanzania’s Hassan Ndonga by scores of 97-92, 93-96, and 91-98, while Musanga lost the PST female super bantamweight title to Tanzania’s Fatuma Yazidu in a split decision of 75-77, 75-77, and 78-74.
In another fight, Kenya’s Albert Kimario defeated Tanzania’s George Bonabucha in the bantamweight division. The event was promoted by Peak Time Media of Tanzania.
