The lights were no longer those of traffic, but of the ring, as fighters stepped in to battle for supremacy at the second edition of Kigali Fight Night, held at the heart of the Kigali Convention Centre roundabout on Saturday, March 28.
Organised by Silverback Sports in collaboration with the Rwanda Boxing Federation, the one-day event brought together top fighters from Nigeria, Tanzania, Cameroon, Gabon, Uganda, DR Congo, and host Rwanda, showcasing some of the region’s finest boxing talent in an electric atmosphere.
The crowd came alive when Rwandan fighter Aimable Hagenimana faced Congolese opponent Muhindo Vianney Bahati. After four closely contested rounds, the fifth swung decisively in favour of the home fighter. Following a sharp dodge, Hagenimana landed a powerful left punch that ignited the crowd and secured a 17–15 win by the judges in one of the most thrilling bouts of the night.
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"This victory means a lot to me. It wasn’t an easy fight—my opponent pushed me. Now I’m going back to prepare for the next step,” said Kazungu.
Gabonese fighter Kassa Kingbo Odilon Hans also delivered a dominant performance, defeating Uganda’s Saidi Chako in just two rounds to underline his power and preparation.
"This victory represents four months of hard work. It’s not something I take for granted. I need to keep pushing for what comes next in June,” he said.
High-level international bouts
Several other fights added to the excitement of the night. Augustin Wisomba Mugunge (DRC) defeated Shetebo Bienfait (DRC), while Daniela Muleketsi Nsii (DRC) secured a fourth-round knockout victory over Uganda’s Martha Akinyi in the women’s category.
Nigeria’s Nene Joy Ojo beat Tanzania’s Zawadi Kutaka, while Jerry Katamba (DR Congo) overcame Tanzania’s Ali Mkojani.
The bout between Algeria’s Abderrezzak Lamrani and Malawi’s Simion Tchetha kept fans on edge for eight intense rounds, with Lamrani eventually claiming victory on points.
"It was an incredible event—everything was well organised. The fans were amazing. I will definitely come back to fight here again,” Lamrani said after celebrating his 13th unbeaten win.
In the final bout of the night, Cameroon’s Tamba Merlin wasted no time asserting dominance, knocking out Tanzania’s Kivu Karume in the second round to secure both victory and the title in spectacular fashion.
Beyond the ring
Rwanda Boxing Federation senior coach Steve Samson highlighted the collective effort behind the event.
"We became like a family. All the coaches worked together for weeks, and that’s what made this event successful,” he said.
He also stressed that boxing goes beyond physical strength.
"Many people think boxing is just about throwing punches. It’s more than that—it’s very mental. Boxing is like life: you take hits, you adapt, and you keep going.”
Samson pointed to defence as a key area for improvement among fighters, noting that many focus too much on attack.
Beyond competition, he described the event as a growing platform for African fighters to showcase their talent on a bigger stage.
Minister of State for Sports Rwego Ngarambe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting all sports disciplines.
"The Ministry of State for Sports supports all disciplines to help athletes reach true professionalism while representing the country and bringing it pride and success,” he said.
He also highlighted boxing’s economic potential, describing it as not only a competitive sport but also a sector with strong business prospects.
With strong organisation, international participation, and an engaged crowd, Kigali Fight Night delivered a memorable evening as boxing continues to grow in Rwanda.