By 
Ugandan professional boxer Catherine Nanziri has stepped up preparations for her upcoming title fight against Tanzania’s Halima Vunjabei, officially entering training camp ahead of their November 28 showdown in Nairobi, Kenya.
The two boxers are scheduled to face off for the WBA Super Bantamweight title at the Edge Convention Centre, where nine titles are expected to be contested on the fight night.
Nanziri, 27, says the opportunity is significant for her professional career and is determined to make the most of the preparations ahead of the continental contest.
“I will be fighting Tanzanian Halima Vunjabei for the WBA Super Bantam title. Her fight record is good. This is an important fight for my career. I have come into camp so as to be in good shape and prepare enough,” Nanziri said.
Despite facing a more experienced opponent, the Ugandan insists she is not intimidated by Vunjabei’s record.
“Halima is experienced with many bouts, but I am not scared,” she added.
The early entry into camp is expected to give Nanziri adequate time to work on her conditioning and technical preparation before the bout.
Frank Lulinda of Friends of Boxing (FOB), which supported Nanziri’s preparations for her previous title contest, welcomed the move, saying the training facility provides the boxer with the resources she needs.
“This place is more than enough for Cathy as it has everything. As FOB, we facilitated and prepared her for the PST title back in July. Early preparations are good for our ambassador and give her time to be in the best shape,” Lulinda said.
Nanziri heads into the Nairobi contest after winning the PST title against Tanzania’s Husnah Zamba on July 25, 2026, a result that has set the stage for another opportunity to compete for honours.
However, the Ugandan will face a substantial experience gap in the ring. The Nairobi bout will be her 10th professional contest, while Vunjabei is preparing for her 36th.
The 31-year-old Tanzanian has faced opponents from several countries, including Denmark, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, South Korea, the United Kingdom, India, Poland, France and the Czech Republic.
Vunjabei’s most recent outing was in July, when she lost a UBO title fight to Pakistan’s Laura Akram.
Despite the difference in professional experience, the two boxers share a history of competing against some of the same opponents. Both have recorded victories over Egine Kayage, Lulu Kayage, Halima Bandola and Nicholine Achieng, providing an interesting point of comparison ahead of their meeting.
For Nanziri, the challenge is another opportunity to test herself against an experienced international opponent and strengthen her standing in professional women’s boxing.
The Ugandan has previously faced experienced fighters, including Lulu Kayage, who has 27 professional bouts, and Egine Kayage, who has 26.
Both Nanziri and Vunjabei use the orthodox stance, setting up a contest in which preparation, ring craft, tactical discipline and execution will be central to their pursuit of the title.
With the fight scheduled for November 28, Nanziri’s entry into camp marks the beginning of an intensive period as she seeks to turn her recent title success into another milestone in her professional career.
At the Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi, the two East African boxers will meet not for a social occasion, but for a contest that could prove significant to their respective journeys in women’s professional boxing.
