Franco Wanyama Last updated August 30, 2025 Ugandan boxer (1968–2019)
Franco Wanyama
Franco and his students in 2013
Born Franco Wanyama
(1968-02-07 ) 7 February 1968Died 21 March 2019(2019-03-21) (aged 51) Nationality Ugandan Other names Thunderbird Statistics Weight(s) Middleweight Cruiserweight
Heavyweight Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Reach 75 in (191 cm) Stance Orthodox Boxing record Total fights 29 Wins 20 Wins by KO 7 Losses 7 Draws 2
Franco "Thunderbird" Wanyama (7 February 1968 - 21 March 2019 [ 1] ) in Kampala , was a Ugandan amateur middleweight and professional cruiser /heavyweight boxer of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s. He was an amateur representative of Uganda at middleweight in the Boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul , South Korea, losing to eventual bronze medal winner Chris Sande of Kenya, and as a professional won the BeNeLux heavyweight title, BeNeLux cruiserweight title, Commonwealth cruiserweight title , and World Boxing Federation (WBF) cruiserweight title, and was a challenger for the Commonwealth cruiserweight title against Chris Okoh , his professional fighting weight varied from 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb) , i.e. cruiserweight to 192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb) , i.e. heavyweight . Wanyama defeated notable fighters such as Jimmy Thunder , Carl Thompson and Johnny Nelson and was sparring partner to Vitali Klitschko & Wladimir Klitschko . He lived his last years in Rugby, Warwickshire , England and had 3 children, Shannon Wanyama, Nellie Wanyama and Wanga Wanyama. [ 2]
Early life Franco started boxing around the age of 6 after becoming curious of what was inside a local boxing gym.
Professional career Franco made his professional debut on 25 December 1989 against Dutch fighter John Held (7-13-2) it ended a 6-round points draw. In 1990 he beat future world title holder Carl Thompson on points. In 1993 he won a bout against another future world champion, Johnny Nelson, who was disqualified for repeated holding. In 1995 he was matched with former world champion Thomas Hearns but the fight was called off at the last minute and Hearns was replaced by ranked Heavyweight Jimmy Thunder, Wanyama and gave away a 30 pounds in weight but still came away with a points victory.
Later years After his retirement Franco worked as a sparring partner, notably with the Klitschko brothers. From 2007 he became a youth worker and boxing coach in Rugby, taking classes for the youth service whilst also being a coach at a local amateur boxing gym. On the 21st of March 2019 Franco died at his home in Rugby. [ 3]
Professional boxing record 29 fights 20 wins 7 losses By knockout 7 5 By decision 13 2 Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes 29 Win 20–7–2 TKO 3 (6) 2000-06-16 Ghent , Belgium 28 Win 19–7–2 PTS 6 1999-10-15 Ghent , Belgium 27 Win 18–7–2 MD 6 1999-04-05 Ghent , Belgium 26 Win 17–7–2 PTS 10 1997-12-25 Nakivubo Stadium , Kampala , Uganda 25 Loss 16–7–2 TKO 5 (8) 1996-12-25 Izegem , Belgium 24 Loss 16–6–2 TKO 7 (8) 1996-11-01 Izegem , Belgium 23 Loss 16–5–2 Garry Delaney PTS 6 1996-02-06 Festival Hall, Basildon , England 22 Loss 16–4–2 Chris Okoh TKO 8 (12) 1995-09-29 York Hall , Bethnal Green , England For vacant Commonwealth (British Empire) Cruiserweight title. 21 Win 16–3–2 James Thunder SD 10 1995-07-16 Cobo Arena , Detroit, Michigan , U.S. 20 Draw 15–3–2 PTS 8 1994-04-02 De Haan , Belgium 19 Win 15–3–1 TKO 2 (12) 1994-01-28 Waregem , Belgium Won vacant Commonwealth (British Empire) Cruiserweight title. 18 Win 14–3–1 PTS 8 1993-12-25 Izegem , Belgium 17 Win 13–3–1 Johnny Nelson DQ 10 (12) 1993-10-01 Waregem , Belgium Won WBF (Federation) Cruiserweight title. 16 Win 12–3–1 TD 2 (6) 1993-04-23 Waregem , Belgium 15 Win 11–3–1 UD 10 1993-01-29 Waregem , Belgium Won BeNeLux Cruiserweight title. 14 Win 10–3–1 Tony Booth PTS 6 1992-12-25 Izegem , Belgium 13 Win 9–3–1 TKO 3 (6) 1992-11-01 Izegem , Belgium 12 Win 8–3–1 TKO 1 (6) 1992-10-02 Waregem , Belgium 11 Loss 7–3–1 KO 10 (10) 1991-06-24 Weenahal, Rotterdam , Netherlands For BeNeLux Heavyweight title. 10 Win 7–2–1 PTS 10 1991-02-18 Sportcentrum Valkencourt, Valkenswaard , Netherlands 9 Win 6–2–1 PTS 8 1990-12-25 Izegem , Belgium 8 Loss 5–2–1 KO 2 (8) 1990-10-13 Ghent , Belgium 7 Win 5–1–1 TKO 5 (6) 1990-05-12 Waasmunster , Belgium 6 Win 4–1–1 Carl Thompson PTS 6 1990-04-21 Sint-Amandsberg , Belgium 5 Win 3–1–1 TKO 3 (6) 1990-04-07 Carvin , France 4 Loss 2–1–1 Christophe Girard PTS 8 1990-03-16 Blois , France 3 Win 2–0–1 PTS 6 1990-02-10 Roeselare , Belgium 2 Win 1–0–1 TKO 4 (6) 1990-01-12 Waregem , Belgium 1 Draw 0–0–1 PTS 6 1989-12-25 Izegem , Belgium Professional debut
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