Kenyan boxer Martin Achebi will face off against Luca Finon of Mauritius for a welterweight non-title bout set for the 22nd of this month in Mauritius.
The 23-year-old Achebi will be targeting a sixth win after winning his last five bouts against Kenyan opponents via technical knockout in the four-round fight.
Achebi is among the boxers who have been signed by Hand of God Promotions Limited, as the promoter plans to organize a series of both local and international fights in Kenya and overseas.
“The bout is important to me; my opponent is good, and I will not underestimate him. I am confident I will floor him. Boxer welfare needs to be prioritized for the state of boxing to improve.” Achebi said
Achebi’s ambition is to be crowned a world champion one day and support upcoming pro boxers.
“I started my pro boxing last year with the aim of changing the sport in the country. My main target and dream is to become a world champion one day, so I am calling for promoters to cater for the welfare of boxers, which plays a big role in the ring. Naomba support ya mashabiki wangu katika pigano hili na nawahakishia mpinzani wangu hatamaliza raundi nne”asserted Achebi
On his part, Finon will be taking to the ring for his third fight since he turned pro last year, with the 21-year-old winning a technical knockout and losing the other on points.
Speaking after issuing a license to the Hand of God Promotions, Kenya professional boxing commission (KPBC) President Reuben Ndolo, reiterated their commitment to continuing working with promoters in supporting professional boxing and assured of their continued collaboration with the Boxing Federation of Kenya to lift the stands of pro boxing in the country.
“The promoter has tried; they have a good calendar of events; most importantly, it is for our youth to get employment through boxing, and all we want to do is ensure that they have money to pay boxers after their bouts; that’s why we issued them a license.” said Ndolo
Ndolo also lamented Kenyan amateur boxers missing out on the Olympic games, calling for urgent intervention from the government.
“I’m appealing to the government to invest more funds, which will ensure both our boxers and trainers get exposure from the best amateur boxing countries. Boxing has changed, and we also need to change our tactics. It’s so painful for our boxers to miss out on this year’s Olympic games, and we need an immediate remedy. There is no good professional boxing without having good amateur boxers.” Ndolo emphasized
Victor Olingo, CEO of Hand of God Promotions, said their ultimate goal is to change the welfare and landscape of professional boxing.
“We are welcoming all boxers who are turning pro, and Hand of God promotions is open to both starting pro boxers and already established pro boxers from all parts of the world. Our goal is to promote youth and reduce vices in the community through boxing. We will unveil our calendar of events, and our plan is to have 8 to 12 bouts every year in different fight categories.” said Olingo
“What we are going to do differently from other promoters is explain expectations to boxers to develop a basic understanding, which has been the main undoing of many promoters.”explained Olingo
The Hand of God Promotions has partnered with Advance Fitness Center Club in South B, which will be the training facility for its boxers.
