Cheka Outpoints Kenyan to Keep Impressive Run

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Lilian Lucas

27 June 2011

Morogoro — Middleweight sensation Francis Cheka proved his invincibility on Saturday after outpointing Kenya’s Daniel Wanyonyi at Jamhuri Stadium here.

The Morogoro-based boxer scored 105-95, 100-93 and 100-93 from the judging trio of Omari Yazidu, Ibrahim Kamwe and Kondo Nassoro, respectively.

The anxiously awaited 10 round non-title bout started on a low note with both boxers failing to unleash telling punches.

Cheered by home supporters, the Morogoro-based UBO titleholder, who has not lost a bout since September, 2008, started dominating matters in the second round, but the Kenyan contained him in a magnificent fashion.

Cheka continued to thrill the home crowd in the third round with some power-packed punches that almost sent the Kenyan to the canvas.

Wanyonyi regained his poise in the fourth round, cornering his highly fancied opponent, but Cheka refused to be dominated and launched vicious uppercuts that weakened the Kenyan.

Looking tired, the boxers could not thrill the crowd in the fourth round, but the real excitement came in the fifth round.

Cheka, the hard hitter, unleashed a series of punches and uppercuts that sent Wanyonyi to the canvas, but the never-say-die Kenyan, refused to lie down forever.

Wanyonyi looked destined to record a knockout victory in the sixth round after battering tired Cheka for a long spell.

The home boy came back in the seventh round stronger and dominated to the final round.

Speaking after the bout, Cheka said he was delighted to emerge victorious and lavished praise on the Kenyan for holding on to the final round.

“The fight was tough, but I did it once again. Wanyonyi is hard to beat and I believe he has a great boxing future,” Cheka said.

For his part, Wanyonyi conceded defeat and described Cheka as a ‘tough guy”.

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