Kyakonye set for explosive WBF title defence against Germany’s “Drago” in Amsterdam

Uganda’s Netherlands-based heavyweight sensation, Willy “The Ring Tiger” Kyakonye, is brimming with confidence ahead of his World Boxing Federation (WBF) title defence scheduled for October 20, 2025, in Amsterdam.

Kyakonye will face Germany’s undefeated WBF Intercontinental heavyweight champion, Renke “Drago” Wittke, in what promises to be a high-octane 12-round showdown at the iconic Theatre Carre Arena.

The bout is the headline event of the Ben Bril Memorial Night, an annual celebration honoring Ben Bril—the youngest Dutch Olympian who competed in boxing at the 1928 Olympic Games.

Fighting under Dutch BAV Frisia Management and promoted by Aart Boendermaker, this marks Kyakonye’s first title defence since his explosive first-round knockout of Venezuela’s Wilmer Vasquez on May 25, 2025.

The question now is whether Kyakonye’s granite chin and devastating punching power will be enough to tame “Drago” and retain his crown. A successful defence would place Kyakonye among Uganda’s boxing legends—Ayub Kalule, John “The Beast” Mugabi, and Cornelius Bozza Edwards—who all defended world titles during their illustrious careers.

Kalule famously defended his WBA junior middleweight title four times between 1979 and 1980 before losing it to American great Sugar Ray Leonard. Mugabi held onto his WBC super welterweight title through two defences in 1989 and 1990 before surrendering it to Terry Norris. Bozza Edwards defended his WBC super featherweight title once in 1981.

“I respect Drago just like I’ve respected all my other opponents. But he’ll understand that I mean business once we step into the ring,” said Kyakonye, who won bronze for Uganda at the 2015 Africa Boxing Championships. He added, “That time is for work, and when I come to work, everyone knows what happens. I’ve trained to full capacity. See you soon, my fans worldwide.”

Both fighters enter the ring unbeaten, but barring a draw, only one will leave with their perfect record intact. Kyakonye, Uganda’s only boxer to have competed in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), boasts an 11-0-0 record with 10 knockouts. Only Germany’s Vincenzo Anzalone has managed to go the distance with him.

Wittke, though less experienced, is a dangerous contender with a 6-0-0 record—all wins by knockout—posing a serious threat to the reigning champion.