Last knockout: Decorated Nakuru boxer takes final bow

Nakuru boxing fraternity is in mourning following the passing of Franca Muthee Mwangi, affectionately known as Coach Carlos, the esteemed head coach of the Nakuru Amateur Boxing Club.

Coach Carlos began his boxing journey in 1977 at the very same club, under the mentorship of the late Coach Peter Morris. 

According to Isaac Mbote, Chairman of the Nakuru County Boxing Association, Coach Carlos was more than a decorated athlete—he was a true champion in every sense of the word. 

“It wasn’t just about the titles, the belts, or the accolades,” Mbote says. “It was about how he carried himself inside and outside the ring. Whether it was the hard training, his relentless work ethic, or the courage to rise after every fall, he showed us that true greatness lies not in winning—but in how one faces adversity.”

Carlos made his mark early, becoming the Nakuru Amateur Boxing Club Champion in the Flyweight category in March 1979. That same year, he also clinched the Rift Valley Novices and Intermediate titles.

He first tested his international mettle on December 15, 1979, when the England Boxing Team toured Nakuru.

Out of nine local fighters who faced the British boxers, Carlos emerged victorious, stopping England’s Joe Dawson in the second round of their Flyweight bout.

In 1982, Carlos joined the Kenya Telecomm Boxing Team, where he also worked until 1990. His commitment to the sport took another leap in 1994 when he attended a three-month Olympic Solidarity-sponsored International Boxing Coaching Course in Budapest, Hungary.

Upon returning, he became the full-time head coach of Nakuru Amateur Boxing Club.

During his tenure, he nurtured and developed numerous boxing talents.

Among them was Sammy Magima, a young man from Ngashura who rose to become Kenya’s Bantamweight Champion for many years and is now a Star 1 coach with the Armed Forces Amateur Boxing Association (AFABA).

Others include Lemid Thiong’o and Moses Noor who are now the Nakuru Amateur Boxing Club coaches.

Coach Carlos also broke new ground by training Mary Muthoni, known in the ring as "Dragon"—the first-ever female boxer from Nakuru who became Kenya’s national champion and represented the country at the 2010 World Women’s Boxing Championship in Barbados.

Another standout talent from Carlos’ stable was John Kariuki, nicknamed "Koki", who represented Kenya at the 2009 World Boxing Championship in Kazakhstan.

Coach Carlos’ expertise and leadership were recognized at the national level. In 2011, he served as the head coach of Kenya’s National Boxing Team at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.

He continued in various coaching roles for the national team, including in Mauritius (2014), Congo (2015), and Kinshasa (2017) for continental championships.

While his passing leaves a profound void, Chairman Mbote says the boxing community finds comfort in the legacy Carlos leaves behind.

"Though we’ll miss the brilliance of his ring craft, we hold close the memories, the lessons, and the inspiration he gave us. His spirit lives on in the young boxers he mentored and the lives he touched. The strength he showed, the respect he earned, and the legacy he built—will never be forgotten," Mbote says, his voice trembling with emotion.