Outside the ring he looks harmless, even gutless. However, once inside the square circle he is transformed into a courageous, tough and aggressive boxing machine.  Moses Kinyua, the diminutive boxer is making a name as an outstanding achiever at both the international and local scene.

In 2005, Kinyua astounded critics when he fought with a broken jaw for ten rounds in a championship bout with Briton Lee Haskins in Bristol, England, and lost on points.  Kinyua, 29, spent a week in hospital where he underwent successful surgery and has since recovered fully. Giving an account of how he injured his jaw, Kinyua said: "It was in the third round. I felt my jaw get loose. I didn't realise it had cracked.  I told my corner man about the pain but he encouraged me to fight on and that I should not quit," recalls Kinyua.  Kinyua said he was grateful to promoter Chris Sanigar who paid his medical bill and provided him with accommodation after he was discharged from hospital.  Haskins, the man whose savage blows had damaged Kinyua's jaw, also visited him at the hospital to wish him a quick recovery they have since become good friends.

"I have had four outings since my return to action. Of these I have won three and lost a controversial six round bout to Briton Jamal Hussein" explained Kinyua whose record now reads 16 wins, five losses and three draws  "When I got injured I remembered about the great Muhammad Ali whose jaw was broken in a non-title bout against Ken Norton.  Yes! Ali recovered from that injury, and, six months later, avenged that defeat in a re-match." That is what inspired me," explained Kinyua, a born-again Christian.

Humble beginnings

Kinyua returned to Kenya for a month's holiday last July.  "It is a big responsibility looking after my sister, brothers and grandmother. We have all been raised from very humble beginnings and I don't feel ashamed to reveal this," Kinyua said.  He said he would like to embark on community projects that deal with slum residents because, having grown up in that environment, he knows what they go through.  "I do not want to promise them heaven because I cannot provide that. But whatever fate has blessed me with I feel I should share with those who do not have. I don't believe in amassing wealth just for the sake of it," he said.

Most memorable moment

Kinyua's most memorable moment came in November, 2005, when he had an opportunity to share a dining table with former multi world champion Sugar Ray Leonard of the United States in Bristol, England.  "I will never forget the moving speech and advice Leonard delivered to the boxing fraternity during the dinner organised by his promoter Chris Sanigar.

Talking about success in boxing and other sports, Leonard told the attentive gathering the importance of hard training and observation of the rules and regulations of the sport in order to avoid disappointment.  Kinyua cherishes a photograph he took with Leonard. "It was a rare occasion to meet one of the greatest sports personalities in the world," says Kinyua with pride. "I asked Leonard who was his toughest opponents were and he counted three, Americans Marvin 'Marvellous' Hagler and Thomas 'Hitman' Hearns and Panamas Roberto 'Hands of Stone' Duran. Leonard defeated the trio in world title bouts.

Besides boxing, Kinyua is taking counselling, and leadership courses at the Bible College.  "What ever I am reading will be of great use to me because I am also involved in small projects at the Kariobangi slums, Kenya. I also assist sporting groups like Baba Dogo FC, St. John's in Korogocho and another one at Rongai. I try to make the youngsters happy." he said.

On a personal level he says he has done modestly well for himself.  "I don't want to boast that I have done this and that, but what I have earned from professional boxing has helped me look after my sisters as I said at the beginning. It is important to invest and know the right persons to work with because you can easily lose money to conmen," he added.  “I have a big family to support. So I have to think long and hard at how best I can look after them."

Early Career

The diminutive fighter started his career at Kariobangi in the mid 1980s and performed extremely well in the novices, intermediate and Kenya Open which earned him a place in the Nairobi Provincial team better known as "Shujaa Squad" and senior team "Hit Squad".  It was by coincidence that an injury knocked out the then Africa light flyweight champion Suleiman Bilali from the Kenya team when preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998 and he got a place in the Kenya team.

"I did not expect to be called into the Kenya team for the Games. I vowed I would not let the selectors down. I won a silver medal after losing to an Englishman in the final" I wanted to emulate Abdulrahman Ramadhan who had won a gold medal at light flyweight in Victoria, Vancouver, Canada in 1994," explains Kinyua.  "We brought home two silver medals and a bronze. I got silver with my team captain, welterweight Absolom "Diblo" Okinyi while light heavyweight Samuel Opiyo Odindo was eliminated in the semi final to scoop a bronze." Kinyua reveals.

Kinyua says he is disappointed that in the past years Kenya sportsmen and sportswomen who brought medals and glory in the past were not rewarded financially like those of today.  The Kenyan medallists from the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, last month were rewarded upon their return home by President Kibaki.

Gesture of recognition

"I feel all medallists and other outstanding performers in the past should be compensated as a gesture of recognition to what they did for this country," he suggests.  His own motivation to join the paid ranks was because he wanted to improve his earnings and uplift the standard of his family.

Kinyua joined Ringwise Promotions under Roan Gardner in Johannesburg, South Africa, with three colleagues middleweight George Oduor Adipo, lightweight Michael "Lonzi" Muya and featherweight David "Computer" Kiilu only eight months after the Kuala Lumpur Games.  "I thank both the KPBC patron Reuben Ndolo and the late KPBC chairman Orwa who helped me to be inducted into the Gardner stable.  In South Africa he chalked up eight wins, one loss and a draw.  He, however, decided to move on after a while and thanks promoter Franklin "Kuka " Imbenzi of Solid Rock Promotions for connecting him up with promoter Chris Sanigar in England.

His last word?: "I ask fellow Kenyans to work hard and believe in God."  Moses retired in 2006 and is now a licensed professional trainer in London, UK where he resides with his wife.