Former African Boxing Union super middleweight champion Rayton ‘Boom Boom’ Okwiri says he’s undeterred by the biting cold weather in South Africa and will go all out to outsmart Emmany Kalombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo when the two pugilists go head to head on June 30.
Temperatures in Johannesburg have been nearing zero degrees; something Okwiri has acknowledged is a challenge but won’t stop him from victory in the 12-round-fight for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super welterweight title after a long lay-off for the Kenyan boxer.
“While the weather is very cold and the strange thing is that the rooms we have been given do not even have heaters forcing me to try to wear a lot of clothes, the weather is hostile. This kind of winter I get it when I go to the USA or Europe, but there we have heaters unlike South Africa where it is like Kenya. But that does not discourage me, victory is mine and I will not chill in the ring,” said Okwiri.
The Kenyan boxer is accompanied by coach David Kiilu after training in Kenya under the guidance of Benson Gicharu at Palpal Gym in Nairobi.
“I have had good sparring partners when I was in training as well as being coached by Olympian Benson Gicharu and he helped me a lot tactically,” he said, “Right now I have come up with coach Kiilu who is also a former professional. My opponent cannot match my prowess. Kenyans should just pray for me and victory will be ours come Thursday night,” concluded Okwiri.
Kalombo has won 15 fights, all on knockouts, and lost only once while Okwiri is unbeaten in eight fights with six knockouts and one draw.