Boxing: 29 countries in the Kinshasa ring, African Championship finals on October 31
The 22nd edition of the Elite African Boxing Championship for men and women is taking place until October 31, 2026, at the twin gymnasium of the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa. Twenty-nine African countries have sent their delegations, under the aegis of the Africa zone of the International Boxing Association (IBA).
Congolese Minister of Sports and Leisure, Didier Budimbu, presided over the opening ceremony on October 22, 2026, and kicked off the bouts, reports allAfrica. The Democratic Republic of Congo, the host country, has fielded its "Leopard boxers" with the ambition of winning as many titles as possible in front of its home crowd.
A tournament open from the first days
The first bouts have already reshuffled the deck. In the 54-57 kg category, Zambian Mwale Mwengo defeated Senegalese Oumar Gueye on points after three rounds, while Congolese Modi Mbonza won in the same manner against Mauritian Frontin Ivans. In the 51-54 kg category, Namibian Haoseb Phillip dominated Botswanan Keorapetse Katlego.
On October 23, 2026, Senegalese Diane Malick ended her bout against Mauritian Agathe Jean Jerry in the third round in the 60-63 kg category. Congolese Oyo Nowani Cambou, from Congo-Brazzaville, was declared the winner by referee stoppage in the second round against Liberian Kromah Emmanuel. Ivorian Vassi Yaël Olivier, Ghanaian Nakrah Ebenzer, and Namibian Ndevelo Tryagain also won on points, the latter against Congolese Badibanga Bamanyama.
Kinshasa, city of boxing
The location is not neutral. It was in this city that Muhammad Ali reclaimed his world crown against George Foreman on October 30, 1974, in a fight that the whole world watched from Africa. Fifty-two years later, almost to the day, the continental finals will be held on October 31, 2026, just a few kilometers away.
Beyond the medals, this championship is one of the rare events where federations from twenty-nine countries, from Botswana to Libya, from Mauritius to Liberia, compete in the same ring. For many of these boxers, who often receive little support at home, a continental title remains the gateway to international circuits.
This article was written in French with the help of artificial intelligence from the sources cited below, then translated from French automatically. Read the original.
