World Boxing Council (WBC) is currently in talks with the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) for a potential long-term partnership aimed at creating more global opportunities for Kenyan boxers, KPBC President Reuben Ndolo has revealed.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon in Nairobi after returning from the Riyadh Boxing Grand Prix held last weekend in Saudi Arabia, Ndolo expressed optimism about the future of Kenyan boxing, despite the country’s only representative, Denzel Onyango, losing to Bosnia’s Alija Messic. He maintained that Kenya remains ahead of many African nations in professional boxing and is now poised to access more international platforms.

“We only had one slot to send a boxer to the Riyadh Grand Prix, but Kenya was among just five African countries that got that opportunity. The WBC is impressed with us and wants to work with Kenya. We are currently negotiating and drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” said a smiling Ndolo.

According to KPBC, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman is expected to visit Kenya this June—a visit the commission plans to leverage to showcase the country’s potential in professional boxing. Ndolo emphasised that the commission is keen on nurturing talent from the grassroots, targeting even school-going children.

He also lauded Kenya’s heavyweight Denzel Onyango and his trainer Julius Odhiambo for their efforts in Riyadh, describing the rare opportunity as one they seized and made the most of—an impression that opened the door for deeper collaboration with WBC despite the loss.

“I had a candid one-on-one with Mauricio. We spoke at length, focusing on Africa, with Kenya at the centre of the discussion. We’re hoping to get more fighters into the second phase of the Riyadh season that kicks off in August. Last time we only had a heavyweight; now I hope we’ll also include some flyweights,” Ndolo added.

Following the first phase of the WBC Riyadh Grand Prix, which took place in Saudi Arabia’s capital, KPBC is now targeting at least five Kenyan boxers for the second phase of the four-part series, scheduled for August at the BLVD Theatre in Riyadh.

All eyes are now on Ndolo and KPBC as anticipation builds around the potential partnership with WBC and the planned visit by its president, Mauricio Sulaiman.