Juma Choki was crowned champion of the Dar Boxing Derby after defeating Tony Rashid in a fiercely contested 10-round main event at the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Centre (EACLC) in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam.
The victory earned Choki the tournament title and the event's top prize a Toyota Crown which had been promised to the winner of the headline bout.
Speaking after the fight, an emotional Choki thanked God, the organisers and his supporters for standing by him throughout his preparations.
"I thank Almighty God for giving me this victory. I also appreciate the organisers for delivering such a major boxing event and fulfilling their promise of awarding the winner a car. I congratulate Tony Rashid because he fought well. In sport, there is always a winner and a loser," Choki said.
The boxer described the win as a significant milestone in his career, saying it would inspire him to aim even higher as he continues his professional journey.
He said the closely fought contest highlighted the improving standard of Tanzanian boxing and demonstrated that local fighters can produce entertaining, high-quality performances.
"We have shown that Tanzanian boxers have great potential. I believe the fans who filled the arena and those who watched on Azam TV witnessed a memorable fight," he said.
Beyond the title, Choki said the Toyota Crown represented a life-changing reward. He revealed that he had previously relied on motorcycle taxis for his daily transport, making the car one of the biggest prizes of his career.
"I have been using motorcycle taxis for my daily activities, so receiving this car is a huge blessing. I sincerely thank everyone who made this possible," he said.
The event promoter, Major Suleiman Semunyu of Peak Time, thanked boxing fans, sponsors and stakeholders for supporting the Dar Boxing Derby, describing the turnout as a strong endorsement of professional boxing in Tanzania.
Encouraged by the success of the event, Semunyu announced that Peak Time will stage another major boxing card on December 26, promising more competitive bouts as part of the Boxing Day celebrations.
The Dar Boxing Derby attracted a large crowd and was broadcast live on Azam TV, underscoring growing public interest in professional boxing and the increasing investment in the sport in Tanzania.
