Achieng (13-2, 7KOs) is lined up against Malawian hard hitter Anisha Basheel for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title on October 20th.
“I can’t just wait for the big day, I’m ready for the Malawian opponent to show her why I’m nicknamed the Angel of War,” says the charming and confident Achieng, a product of Boxgirls Kenya, a community-based organisation which empowers women through sports. “I’ve trained well under my coach and mentor Afred Analo aka Irie Priest, I want this belt now,” added Achieng who’ll be fighting for her biggest ever payday.
The title fight, which has been sanctioned by the Commonwealth Boxing Council and Kenya Professional Boxing Commission, will be supported by seven bouts featuring Kenyan boxers and two Tanzanians. The show starts at 2pm, Charter Hall, Nairobi. Malawi's Anisha Basheel has already signed the contract for her Commonwealth light-welterweight title bout and is heavily pumped up for the showdown.
"I have beaten two Kenyans on TKOs, Sarah will be my third victim, she'll know why I'm nicknamed the Massacre," said the soft spoken Anisha who's the reigning Commonwealth lightweight champion. Basheel comes in as a replacement for compatriot Ruth Chisale as Sarah Achieng's opponent. The Kenya Professional Boxing Commission secretary-general, Franklin Imbenzi, said owing to unavoidable circumstances, they've been forced to bring on board Basheel to contest for the vacant title against Kenya's Achieng nicknamed The Angel of War.
"We apologise to the boxing fraternity for the abrupt change but everything is now confirmed for October 20," said Imbenzi who is coordinating the fight on behalf of the sponsors, 22Bet. Basheel (8-6, 8KOs) is a soldier with Malawi Defence Force and is also a former Africa Boxing Union lightweight champion. She has sounded a warning to Achieng (13-2, 7KOs):"Sarah be prepared for a defeat, I'm coming to Nairobi to pick my second Commonwealth belt."
Achieng is unshaken by Basheel's confidence. "Let her do the talking, my fists will talk for me," said Achieng. This will be Basheel's third fight against a Kenyan opponent in Nairobi. She first TKO'd Joice Awino in 2017 and in 2019 TKO'd Consolata Musangi in the 9th round to clinch the inaugural Africa Boxing Union lightweight title at the Carnivore grounds.
The Malawian boxer is expected to land in Nairobi on October 17 accompanied by her manager and coach, Clied Musonda who's a former prominent Zimbabwean international boxer.