SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars: In-Form Jin Shen Out For A Fourth Victory As Fifth Edition Takes Centre Stage In Jamhuri On Thursday Night

_{Flyweight pugilist Jin Shen trains at Ultra Fitness Gym along Ngong Road ahead of fifth edition of SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars set for Thursday at the DSTV Multichoice Studios in Jamhuri, Nairobi. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO}

_{By Lopez Atieno}

NAIROBI, Kenya – Fifth edition of SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars is set for Thursday at the DSTV Multichoice Studios in Jamhuri, Nairobi.

One of the expected showstoppers in the night will be the ever-flawless hard hitter Jin Shen who is out for a fourth victory in the series sponsored by gaming firm SportPesa and promoted by Maurice Odera of UFS BXNG.

Battling in the Super Flyweight category, Shen will take on promising Ian Waweru in a four-round duel in the series whose main objective is to bring new talent to light.

Fans believe the epic slug off will definitely be explosive going by the level of preparations the two fighters have stepped up.

“I’m grateful to SportPesa who are sponsoring the fights. I urge them to keep up the good work. This series is helping my boxing journey to the top through constant participation. As you can see, I’m now headed for my fourth contest in the circuit and it’s only a year. Some boxers take even three years to get a single fight,” Jin Shen said during a training session at the Ultra Fitness Gym in Nairobi on Monday afternoon.

_{Flyweight pugilist Jin Shen trains at Ultra Fitness Gym along Ngong Road ahead of fifth edition of SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars set for Thursday at the DSTV Multichoice Studios in Jamhuri, Nairobi. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO}

“I also want to appreciate the good work done by UFS BXNG Promoter Maurice Odera. He has been able to take me into his stable where he is mentoring me to be a ferocious pugilist at the same time getting the fights constantly,” he added.

Against Waweru, Shen says he has prepared well and has nothing to worry about. His preparations have lasted for three months leaving no stone unturned.

“I have worked on my weaknesses; including cardio, strength and sparring. I believe I’m mentally and physically prepared for the battle ahead,” he stated.

Shen has gone ahead to study his opponents’ videos where he has established his rival’s weaknesses that he intends to capitalise on to achieve glory.

“I did this because this mash-up is very important to me. It matters. I want to win this fight so I can rise up the rankings ladder,” he underlined.

Shen is promising his ever-growing legion of fans a thrilling battle in the night, stating that he will ensure they get thoroughly entertained, especially those who will be watching at home, with a victory to savour.

_{Flyweight pugilist Jin Shen trains at Ultra Fitness Gym along Ngong Road ahead of fifth edition of SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars set for Thursday at the DSTV Multichoice Studios in Jamhuri, Nairobi. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO}

Shen’s last fight in the series was in the third edition held on May 28 where he outpointed Elias Njoroge via Technical Knock Out.

On July 25, he fought Calvin Omondi during the second edition of SportPesa Boxing (Main Series), winning with a similar margin at the Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi.

When asked his opinion about the SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars Series, Shen indicated that it’s a great platform meant to showcase young talent in Africa and inspire those dreaming to attain proffesional heights.

In the next three years, Shen, whose tale of the tape on international grading platform Boxrec is at 3-0 (three fights, three victories, 2 KOs) hopes to bag an international belt.

_{Flyweight pugilist Jin Shen trains at Ultra Fitness Gym along Ngong Road ahead of fifth edition of SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars set for Thursday at the DSTV Multichoice Studios in Jamhuri, Nairobi. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO}

Fifth Edition of SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars Mash-Ups

1.Super Bantamweight 6 Rounds: James Mugeni vs Josiah Lumunya (Uganda)

2. Super Flyweight 4 Rounds: Jin Shen vs Ian Waweru

3. Light Heavyweight 4 Rounds: Elijah Kingi vs Kennedy Othune

4. Light Heavyweight 4 Rounds: Gentry Ochieng vs George Omare

5. Super Lightweight 4 Rounds: McGregor Njoroge vs Mathews Abednego Luwano

6. Welterweight 4 Rounds: Charles Kisila vs Nahashon Musa

7. Super Flyweight 4 Rounds: Abednego Kyalo vs Elias Njoroge

8. Super Middleweight 4 Rounds: Nicodemus Hagai vs Paul Temba Kimani

9. Super Bantamweight 4 Rounds: Doreen Kitui vs Fatuma Doto

10. Super Featherweight 4 Rounds: Jamal Hathuwani vs Ian Kuria

11. Super Welterweight 4 Rounds: Denis Muliro vs John Lucas Ouma