General News
1 August, 2022
Pro boxer sets eyes on Kuranda
FOUR-TIME professional boxing champion Omari Kimweri will trade the bustling streets of Melbourne for the Tablelands as he plans to open his own boxing gym in Kuranda.
Growing up in Tanzania, Kimweri came from a boxing family and quickly rose through the amateur ranks before competing for his country in the Commonwealth Games in 2006 against a two-time Olympic champion.
Kimweri fought in the flyweight and light-flyweight divisions during his career, retiring from the sport three years ago with a professional record of 17 wins and five losses, seven of those wins by knockout.
He held four separate champion titles including the Australian Flyweight, WBO Oriental Light-Flyweight, WBA Pan African Light-Flyweight and WBC Silver Flyweight.
Kimweri was present for the recent Sunstate Amateur League Golden Gloves tournament and was highly impressed with the quality of boxing showcased.
“There are a lot of kids that want to box, there is a lot of talent up there,” he said.
“It will be a good opportunity for a lot of kids on the street, I want to help them out.”
Ashley Cupitt’s Boxing Academy in Yungaburra hosted Kimweri while he was searching for a location to open his gym and was a special guest at the tournament.
While he has settled on Kuranda, Kimweri is still finalising the venue for his gym and searching for a home to relocate his family prior to opening his new gym.
