The less-hyped boxer Portifas Odipo, popularly known as Majembe, delivered a statement victory on Saturday night after overpowering crowd favourite Ferdinand Omondi, alias Mbavu Destroyer, at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi.
In a bout that had been billed as a high-stakes showdown under the Vurugu Boxing Challenge, Majembe defied expectations to secure a unanimous decision win, outscoring his much-hyped rival across all judges’ scorecards.
Originally scheduled for ten rounds, the contest was cut short in the fourth round after Mbavu Destroyer failed to continue following a contentious blow that appeared to land below the belt.
From the opening bell, Majembe set the tone, taking an aggressive approach and pinning his opponent deep into his corner. His relentless forward pressure contrasted sharply with Mbavu Destroyer’s cautious, defence-first strategy.
The second round maintained the intensity, briefly interrupted after sections of the crowd surged towards the ring, forcing officials to restore order before action resumed.
Majembe’s control remained evident in the subsequent rounds, as he continued to dictate the pace and land cleaner shots. By the fourth round, the turning point came when Mbavu Destroyer went down following a right hook that left him in visible discomfort.
A prolonged stoppage followed as medics attended to the fallen boxer. With Mbavu Destroyer unable to recover and continue, officials called off the fight, handing responsibility to the judges to determine the outcome based on the completed rounds.
All three judges favoured Majembe, citing his dominance and consistency.
Scorecard:
- Round 1: Majembe 30 – 27 Mbavu Destroyer
- Round 2: Majembe 30 – 27 Mbavu Destroyer
- Round 3: Majembe 32 – 27 Mbavu Destroyer
- Round 4: Stoppage following foul claim
Vurugu Boxing Challenge organiser Oga Obinna, alongside boxing official Reuben Ndolo, presented the winner’s belt to Majembe, capping off a night that saw the underdog rise to prominence.
The victory marks a significant breakthrough for Majembe, whose performance not only silenced doubters.
