Interview with Michael Ragot, Founder and Coach of Ongata Rongai Boxing Club

Introduction

In the heart of Ongata Rongai, a community tucked within Kenya’s vibrant boxing landscape, a small club is shaping fighters with the same grit and grassroots spirit that built some of the sport’s most legendary institutions. There’s no gleaming marquee, no corporate sponsors lining the walls – just worn gloves, determined faces, and a coach who believes boxing can change the course of a young person’s life.

The Ongata Rongai Boxing Club has become one of Kenya’s most committed community gyms, a place where discipline is taught long before punches are thrown. Under the guidance of head coach Michael Ragot, the club serves as a refuge for aspiring athletes who train not for glamour, but for opportunity. Michael’s leadership blends old‑school boxing values with a modern understanding of what young fighters need: structure, mentorship, exposure, and a belief that their dreams are worth fighting for.

Like many storied gyms around the world, Ongata Rongai’s strength isn’t measured in square footage or equipment – it’s measured in resilience. The club operates as a nonprofit, surviving on donated gear and the goodwill of supporters who understand that boxing, despite its reputation as a “poor man’s sport,” is anything but inexpensive. Yet the fighters show up every day, ready to learn, ready to grow, and ready to represent their community on the national and international stage.

Michael’s mission extends beyond boxing. As a climate activist, he teaches his athletes that resilience in the ring mirrors resilience in the world – that protecting their environment is as essential as protecting their health. His program blends athletic development with community responsibility, creating fighters who understand the power of both their fists and their voices.

In this interview, Michael shares his vision for the club, the realities of running a grassroots boxing program in Kenya, the urgent need for support, and the hope he carries for the next generation of Kenyan fighters.

Q & A

FightMatrix: Michael, please share with me about your journey from being a young boxer to supporting the boxing federation.

Michael Ragot: My journey has been long and odious. I started boxing a long time ago, in the 2010s, retired mid 2016 to continue on the path of being a coach since we didn’t have a coach back then but we had the burning desire to continue boxing. After being a coach, I have been striving on trying to organize boxing tournaments where young boxers can showcase their talent and get the necessary experience to perform in the national tournaments

 

FM: Tell me about your new grassroots program for adults and children

MR: The new program is called the B-Dynasty Global sports systems, it is a program which Bernard came up with and I have been supporting and spearheading to find untapped grassroots boxers and give them the exposure they need to start their boxing journey. So far, we’ve had two legs which have been largely very very successful. We’ve kept evolving and coming up with different tournament themes to cater for different audiences.

 

FM: What is the main focus with your grassroots venture?

MR: It’s main focus is giving our boxers at Ongata Rongai Boxing Club and boxers from other clubs in our region the necessary exposure and experience to untap local boxing talent. Our last tournament had 96 boxers. We were astound given we organize only one day tournaments. That day we had over 50 fights. We were so happy with the visibility the tournament is getting and also the reach in grassroots boxing we were achieving.

FM: Michael, you’re the head coach at the Ongata Rongai Boxing Club. What does your position entail?

MR: My position entails leading all of our fighters’ athletic and personal development. I fully manage all our boxers’ training regimen, physical conditioning, and game strategies. I also review their nutrition and dietary needs. Basically, I provide technical, tactical, and physical conditioning to our fighters. I also mentor them. I am also in charge of managing their yearly boxing schedules. I develop and support all
our boxers to reach their full potential.

 

FM: You support the Boxing Federation of Kenya by leading the Ongata Rongai Boxing Club. What is your role in supporting the federation?

MR: Basically, my role, just as any other boxing coach, is to ensure we have enough grassroots boxing tournaments to give our boxers the exposure and experience they need to compete in national tournaments. I also ensure our boxers adhere to new training regiments and are current with the ever-evolving and changing world of the sport of boxing.

 

FM: You operate a non-profit organization, is there an opportunity to sponsor your athletes or to donate money for charity purposes, either for the club or grassroots program?

MR: Yes, boxing is a very expensive sport than people would like to believe. They call boxing ‘a poor man’s sport’, but when you go to buy or purchase boxing training gear, you would really get shocked at how expensive a good quality pair of boxing gloves or mitts are. Boxing is one of the most expensive sport in the world, and we generally survive by donations of training gear. We can’t afford to fulfil the
needs of our club if we were to purchase training gear on our own.

 

FM: How can someone reach you to talk about donating gear or money?

MR: Anybody who would like to support us can reach me on +254725138063 or follow us and send a DM on any of our social channels: Ongata Rongai Boxing Club. We’re on Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram.

 

FM: What is your short-term goal for your boxing club and new program?

MR: Our short-term goal is having a couple of our boxers qualify for the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. Another short-term goal is to be self-sufficient. We plan on starting a charity fund so that we can buy a boxing ring and use it to employ our boxers. A boxing ring is very expensive to rent, if we could have one, it would make life a little bit easier for our boxing club because we could host our own games,
hire out the ring, and also use it for our training sessions, where I feel we can have some of our boxers turn professional and make money doing what they love.

 

FM: So, Michael, you are a climate activist. You have stated in the past that climate control and boxing are both about being resilient and persistent! How do you integrate this into your boxing programs?

MR: We talk with our boxers on the importance of climate change for our community and the world in general, i.e., it threatens global health, economic stability, and most importantly for our fighters, food security. We do clean ups, we are on the course of scheduling a tree planting exercise in the community for our boxers later this year. We also spread the world on the importance of climate change in our
socials. Climate change is serious, and it needs urgent attention. This message we won’t relent in spreading it.

 

 

Testimonial from Parent – Bernard Oguwa

FightMatrix: How did your son’s get involved in the boxing club?

Bernard Oguwa: Our family’s boxing journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, I decided to introduce my youngest son, Bradley, who was only three years old, to boxing. His two older brothers, Baron and Brian, were already involved in combat sports through karate. They were 8 and 11 years old respectively and had both earned their Red Belts.

To my surprise, all three boys developed an instant passion for boxing. From that moment, our boxing journey truly began.

As my eldest son started competing in boxing tournaments, I closely observed the dedication, passion, and commitment of Coach Michael. His work with young boxers stood out, and I was convinced he was the right person to help develop my sons. I was later formally introduced to him by Coach Benson, a two-time Olympian, from Mukira Fight for Life Boxing Club, where my sons were enrolled.

That marked the beginning of what has since grown into an incredible boxing journey for our family.

 

FM: How old are your sons and how long have they been in the sport?

BO: My sons are 9, 14, and 17 years old. They have been involved in combat sports for most of their lives. We introduced them to physical fitness before their second birthdays because we wanted them to grow up embracing an active and disciplined lifestyle.

They initially started with karate before transitioning to boxing. Since 2020, they have trained consistently in boxing for six straight years. During that time, they have developed not only their technical skills but also the discipline, resilience, and strong work ethic that the sport demands.

Today, boxing is more than a sport for our family, it is a lifestyle and a long-term journey towards excellence.

 

FM: How do your sons benefit from boxing?

BO: Boxing has transformed my sons in every aspect of their lives. It has taught them discipline, resilience, respect, confidence, and the value of hard work.

Beyond the ring, it keeps them physically fit, mentally strong, and focused on their goals. Most importantly, boxing has given them purpose, teaching them that success comes through consistency, sacrifice, and perseverance.

 

FM: What is your long-term goal with your sons in regards to boxing?

BO: Our vision is to develop my sons into complete athletes through amateur boxing, giving them a strong technical foundation, valuable international experience, and the character to succeed.

When the time is right, they will transition into professional boxing.

My ultimate dream is to see all three of them become world boxing champions and prove that with discipline, consistency, and faith, young athletes from Kenya can reach the very top of the sport.

 

FM: Were you ever in the sport that made you feel how your sons feel when they box?*

BO: Yes. After completing Form Four, I trained in boxing at Line Saba Boxing Club for a short period before joining university.

Although I didn’t pursue it competitively, that experience gave me a real appreciation of the sport and the discipline it demands.

Today, it helps me understand what my sons go through in training and competition, allowing me to support them not just as a father, but as someone who has experienced boxing firsthand.