AZIZ Matusi and Olivier Shingiro have been earmarked to represent Rwanda at this year’s AIBA World Youth Championships. The event, to be hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan will run from April 12 to 25.

Matusi will compete in the light-flyweight (45-48kg) category while Shingiro will fight in the fly weigh category (48-51kg).

"They are very promising and above all, meet the requirements of the organizers,” said national boxing coach Gashuji Kananura. The duo will be jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Sports and Culture (Minispoc) and Rwanda National Olympics Committee (RNOC).

The pair is also part of Rwanda’s team gearing up for Sunday’s boxing tournament with DRC.

The event, to be held at Amahoro indoor stadium, is organized under the auspices of Minispoc, Tierce betting company and the local boxing body (Raba).

Meanwhile, Kelly Pavlik will defend his WBO and WBC middleweight titles against junior champion Sergio Martinez at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on April 17.

Pavlik, with a record of 36-1 and 32 knockouts, has fought in Atlantic City several times, including his stunning victory over Jermain Taylor to win the title nearly three years ago.

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