SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars: No-nonsense Amenya Floors Hakim As Dazzling Shen Nails Second Consecutive Victory

 _{Amos Amenya (Left) celebrates after beating Abdul Hakim via TKO in the last round of their six round men’s Super-Featherweight fight. PHOTO/ SPORTPESA}

NAIROBI, Kenya- Sweat, tension and excitement gripped the air as punches got traded in the third edition of SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars held in the DSTV Multichoice Studios at the ASK Showgrounds in Jamhuri, Nairobi on Thursday night.

The thrilling eight-card bout, supported by gaming firm SportPesa and promoted by Maurice Odera of UFS BXNG, was dominated with technical knock-outs (TKO) that left the capacity crowd at the venue entertained.

The main card pitting Amos Amenya against resilient Abdul Hakim lived up to its billing as a proper balanced fight.

Both sides had clearly stuck to their guns as the pugilists’ traded tactics and punches to overcome each other.

The slugfest proceeded up to its final sixth round before Amenya managed to break the deadlock with a TKO to lift the cutthroat men’s Super-Featherweight fight.

“One of the most unique things with the SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars is the balance of power,”SportPesa Partnership and Sponsorship Manager Japheth Akhulia noted.

“The boxers who are properly mashed-up are such a joy to watch. Each has equal chances to showcase their talents as they take part on the unique platform whose mission is to identify new talents.

“I urge fans across the country to seize the opportunity to watch these fights as some of these boxers are destined for greatness, they will be great pugilists in the future,” Akhulia added.

Akhulia’s sentiments were echoed by Alan McTavish, Head Global Sponsorships SportPesa who stated: “When we looked at 2026 as a boxing calendar, we were keen to have a good combination between the Rising Stars and the main events.

“We settled on a calendar that has six Rising Stars events and three Main events. This gives us good coverage across the calendar year and a strong platform for a mixture between upcoming young boxers and more established professionals.”

At the same time, ever-blazing Jin Shen,21, successfully nailed his second victory in the series when he floored Elias Njoroge via a TKO in the second round of their four round Bantamweight face off.

Dazzling Shen made his debut in the series in February where he triumphed on unanimous points decision after overcoming Jeremiah Abuko 39-37, 40-36, 40-36.

“I was able to flawlessly overcome Njoroge because of the strength and conditioning tactics that I mastered perfectly at my gym in Dagoretti. I’m looking forward to maintaining the same script and rhythm as I build on my boxing portfolio.

“I’m also grateful to SportPesa for the immense support they are giving the competition and to Odera and his UFS BXNG stable for their effort to move from one gym to another to identify deserving talents that are granted opportunity to showcase their skills on the SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars platform,” Shen noted.

SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars third edition results

1: Welterweight Four Rounds: Edwin Hayo beat Moses Siviya 39-37, 38-38, 39-37

2.Super Lightweight Four Rounds: McGregor Njoroge beat Davis Gwaro via TKO third round

3. Featherweight Four Rounds: John Logova beat Muiruri Irungu via TKO first round.

4. Light Heavyweight Four Rounds:  Gentry Ochieng beat Peter Wanda via TKO second round

5. Lightweight Four Rounds: Victor Oduor Andere beat Dennis Ashley 40-36,39-36,40-36

6. Bantamweight Four Rounds: Jin Shen beat Elias Njoroge via TKO second round

7. Light Heavyweight Four Rounds: Elijah Kingi beat James Otieno via TKO first round

8. Super-Featherweight Six Rounds: Amos Amenya beat Abdul Hakim via TKO sixth round