A section of fans who packed the Kasarani Indoor Arena on Saturday night have voiced outrage following the defeat of Ferdinand Omondi, popularly known as Mbavu Destroyer, in a high-stakes amateur boxing clash.
Mbavu suffered a fourth-round loss to Portifas Odipo, alias Majembe, in the much-hyped “Vurugu Boxing” contest, triggering immediate backlash from supporters who claimed the bout had been pre-arranged.
Angry fans, who escorted the injured fighter to hospital, alleged foul play involving event organiser Oga Obinna and match officials.
“This fight was fixed. We cannot accept the outcome. Obinna and the referee had already planned it,” some fans claimed.
Despite the protests, official scorecards indicated a dominant performance by Majembe, who outclassed Mbavu in the opening three rounds before sealing victory with a decisive body blow in the fourth.
Mbavu collapsed in visible pain and was unable to continue, prompting the referee to stop the contest before the scheduled sixth round.
Critics have since faulted Mbavu’s preparation, accusing him of prioritising online fame over training, while crediting Majembe’s discipline and tactical execution for the win.
The loss comes with steep consequences for Mbavu, who forfeits a prize package that included KSh3.5 million in cash, a Toyota Noah valued at KSh4 million, a motorbike, and additional cash rewards and sponsorship perks.
The Vurugu Boxing event attracted thousands of spectators and drew the attention of political figures, including Babu Owino, Felix Odiwuor, and Karen Nyamu, underscoring its growing prominence in Kenya’s entertainment-sport scene.
As controversy lingers, organisers are yet to issue an official response to the match-fixing allegations.
