Scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026, the event will take place at KCC Roundabout, Kigali Heights, delivering a professional boxing showcase designed to elevate the sport in Rwanda while creating a vibrant cultural experience for fans.
Organized and promoted by Silverback Sports, Kigali Fight Night will feature professional boxers from across Africa, including fighters from Rwanda, Uganda, Cameroon, Gabon, Tanzania, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and beyond, competing in a high-level lineup of bouts under the lights.
Adding to the international profile of the event, renowned boxing coaches and trainers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Dubai are expected to be in Kigali for the tournament, creating a rare opportunity for knowledge exchange, talent scouting, and exposure for local fighters.
This level of participation signals a significant moment not only for Rwanda but for African professional boxing, positioning Kigali as an emerging hub for the sport and opening new pathways for fighters across the continent to access global networks, training standards, and competitive platforms.
The event blends boxing with live DJ performances, music, dramatic fighter walkouts, and an electric ringside atmosphere, transforming the venue into a celebration of athleticism, entertainment, and African sporting culture.
According to Bashir Ntwari, President of the Rwanda Boxing Federation, the event is a strategic investment in the long-term future of boxing in the country.
“Kigali Fight Night is about more than one night of boxing. It is about creating a pathway for Rwandan fighters to transition from amateur boxing into professional careers, compete in international tournaments, and gain global exposure. Events like this help us build the foundations of the sport by strengthening local clubs, developing talent, and moving toward the creation of a professional boxing competition in Rwanda,” he said.
Beyond developing athletes, Kigali Fight Night is also opening doors for local economic growth and business development. The organizers have created opportunities for Rwandan businesses, entrepreneurs, and brands to participate directly in the event by offering free vendor spaces at the venue.
This initiative allows small and emerging businesses to showcase their products and services to hundreds of attendees, creating new opportunities for visibility, networking, and sales. From food vendors and fashion brands to lifestyle products and creative enterprises, the vendor marketplace ensures that the economic impact of the event extends beyond the ring.
By integrating local businesses into the event ecosystem, Kigali Fight Night aims to stimulate micro-enterprise growth, strengthen local supply chains, and deepen collaboration between sports, entertainment, and commerce, reinforcing the role of sports as a driver of economic activity in Rwanda.
Jermaine Burke, CEO of Silverback Sports and promoter of the event, said the vision goes beyond hosting a single tournament.
“Kigali Fight Night is not just about boxing. It is about building an ecosystem around sports that benefits athletes, businesses, and communities. By bringing international fighters and coaches to Rwanda while creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, we are helping to position Kigali as a serious destination for global boxing and sports entertainment,” he said.
The official fight card will feature a series of high-profile matchups, including Tamba Merlin vs Yusufu Changarawe (Main Card), Jerry Katamba (DRC) vs Ali Mkojani (Tanzania), and Kingbo Hans (Gabon) vs Taafu Odoyi (Uganda). The event will also highlight women’s boxing with bouts such as Daniella Muleketsi (DRC) vs Martha Akinyi (Uganda) and Nene Joy Ojo (Nigeria) vs Leila Yazidu (Tanzania).
In addition to the professional bouts, Kigali Fight Night will feature seven amateur fights showcasing Rwanda’s most promising young boxers, giving emerging athletes the opportunity to compete on a major stage and gain valuable exposure.
Doors will open at 2:00 p.m. for amateur bouts and the vendor village, with the main event scheduled for 5:00 p.m., offering fans an afternoon and evening filled with fights, music, and entertainment. Attendees will be able to choose from multiple ticket categories, including Diamond Ringside, Platinum VIP, and Gold Regular seating options.
Open to fans of all ages, Kigali Fight Night is expected to attract a diverse audience of sports fans, entertainment lovers, and business communities. By combining world-class boxing with opportunities for local entrepreneurship, the event positions itself as both a sporting spectacle and a platform for economic participation.
With international fighters, global coaching presence, rising Rwandan talent, and a strong emphasis on community and commerce, Kigali Fight Night promises to be one of the most exciting and impactful sporting events of the year in Rwanda and a key step forward for African professional boxing.
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