Paris 2024 Boxing Africa Qualifier: Emotional win for South Africa's John Paul Masamba as Sadie Kenosi and Marcelat Sakobi also reach quarter-final

John Paul Masamba bounced back from desperate lows to reach the quarter-finals of the 2023 Boxing Africa Qualifier at the Dakar Arena on Monday (11 September).

The South African who has been dealing with depression and anxiety, eliminated Lesotho’s Monaheng Kebe after the referee called off their bout in the first round, sending Masamba to the last eight of the 63.5kg category.

“I have been through so much this past year, and I am here to prove myself, that I am not only unbeatable, but I am still number one in South Africa, especially to those who doubted me,” Masamba told Olympics.com.

“I am looking forward to being the champ and qualifying for the Olympics and ensuring South Africa returns to the Olympics.”

The 23-year-old had looked impressive against Togolese Dechey Yetongnon in his opener, which he won on a 4-1 split decision and was energetic for his next bout as he seeks to become his nation’s first boxer to qualify for the Olympics since London 2012. He next faces Abdelaziz Elsayed.

The Egyptian’s fine form in Dakar continued as he looked solid against Cape Verde’s Carvalh De Moreira, who he beat on points.

Richarno Colin, the Mauritian seeking to box at this fourth Olympics at Paris 2024 outpointed Ivorian Mikael Taha. He needs to be at his best for the quarter-final clash against one of the pre-event favourites, Morocco’s Abdelhaq Nadir.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympian easily overpowered Guinea’s Alseny Sylla, piling on the pressure with a flurry of punches before the referee stopped the contest in the second round.

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Favourites lead the way in men's heavyweight and women's 57kg

Morocco ended the first session on Monday sending a second boxer Ayoub Maanni to the quarters after he outpunched Congolese champion Maroy Sadiki on points. But loudest cheers in the 92kg were for local star Karamba Kebe, who was victorious, also on points, against Tanzanian Wambura Maregesi.

Kebe booked a date with African champion Adam Olaore (Nigeria), who hardly broke a sweat as his Ivorian Youzan Zahouli withdrew with injury.

The day had begun with some exciting contests in the women’s 57kg pitting African champion Sadie Kenosi, Bostwana’s first female boxer, who was on the winning end of a split decision, against Ibrahim Elemam from Egypt.

Congolese Olympian, Marcelat Sakobi beat a strong and experienced France-based Moroccan Laela El Ksiri, to claim a unanimous win.

“She’s a very good athlete, a pro boxer, and not to forget a champion also, so she’s someone I’ve been watching. I’ve lost to her before, so I made sure to watch her in order to prepare myself in the best way possible, especially since our weight class is very competitive and has good athletes,” Makobi offered after her win.

“Next match, I will be preparing against an athlete from Mozambique who’ve I lost to before, so I’m going to make sure I get my revenge and I won’t lose twice to her, and this time I’ll be even tougher than I was today.”

Next up for her is Fernando Macaringue who beat Cameroon’s Stephane Mambou.

Patrick Chinyemba, David Karanja fight their way to quarters

Some really close contests characterised the second session on Monday with some of the leading lights stretched by their 'hungrier' opponents keen to march on to the quarters as they eye one of the 18 tickets for Paris on offer.

Experience counted for Zambian star Patrick Chinyemba who dominated over his agressive Mozambican opponent Nordine Issufo with a nice array of combinations and tactical boxing, to secure a unanimous victory in the 51kg bout.

Chinyemba, a world quarter-finalist, is "here for the gold medal" as he eyes a historic medal at his second Olympics after Tokyo.

Ghana's Kpakpo Allotey was the much busier fighter edging out Sinovuyo Tintelwa from South Africa also on points still in the 51kg class.

Another fight that produced a top-quality contest pitted David Karanja vs Tuuyen Johannes. There was a huge sigh of relief from the Kenyan corner as they were on the winning end of the judges split decision after the physical combat.

With the bout tied after the second round, the lanky Namibian Johannes came all out in attack as Karanja pushed with the body punches that dropped his guard.

"I am feeling great after winning the second and last round," Karanja who next plays Tunisian Eddine Zidi, a familiar opponent after their stint in Cuba together for training for the qualifers.

"The guy was way taller than me and also more skilful, but my training in Cuba and also listening to coaches helped. I fought all the way, that was not boxing, I had to put in the fighting insticts. I am ready for the Tunisian and and ready to qualify for the Olympics."

African champion Imane Khelif from Algeria was the victor the against Morocco's Oumayma Bel Ahbib as Cameroonian Noelle Bindzi also won on unanimous points.

Tuesday (11 September) is a rest day at the Boxing Qualifier, and action resumes on Wednesday with the quarter-final bouts.