Portifas Odipo, popularly known as Majembe, was declared the winner of the Vurugu Fight against Ferdinand Omondi alias Mbavu Destroyer on Saturday following a dramatic and controversial bout at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.
The fight, which had been highly anticipated for over two months, captured nationwide attention, with both amateur fighters from low-income neighbourhoods in Nairobi using the platform to showcase their skills and position themselves for greater opportunities in boxing.
The match saw Majembe dominate early, scoring 30 points against Mbavu’s 27 in both Round 1 and Round 2, establishing a clear lead.
The fight took a dramatic turn in Round 3 after a knock to the vital area, with Majembe still extending his lead to 32 points against Mbavu’s 27.
The incident appeared to unsettle Mbavu, shifting momentum and sparking debate among spectators.
In Round 4, Mbavu raised a fault claim over the incident, arguing that the blow was unfair. However, referees reviewed the situation and ultimately upheld the result, declaring Majembe the winner based on his consistent performance and points advantage across all rounds.
Following the win, Majembe will receive a brand new Toyota Noah and over Sh2 million in cash, marking a significant milestone in his boxing career.
The bout had also drawn backing from President William Ruto, who shared a video message on social media wishing both fighters well and pledging Sh1 million each in support.
“I wish them the best of luck. Let them go do their best in the fight. I place Sh1 million for Majembe, and another Sh1 million for Mbavu Destroyer,” he said.
The fight’s hype drew comparisons to the 2023 showdown between Karim Mandonga and Daniel Wanyonyi, underscoring the growing appeal of high-profile amateur boxing events in Kenya and highlighting the opportunities these contests provide for emerging fighters to make a name for themselves
