Written By | Alex Mbamanya
Boxer Abdul Bukenya (2)
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MBARARA
Efforts to revive boxing in Mbarara and Western Uganda are gaining momentum, with more young athletes embracing the sport, which appears to have been neglected for a long time.
Mubarak Abdurhezo and Abdul Bukenya are two promising young boxers who have emerged as key figures in efforts to put the sport back on the map. Boxing is slowly but steadily gaining a following in Ankole.
The pair are set for an eagerly anticipated bout scheduled for New Year's Eve in Mbarara. With almost six weeks remaining before the contest, the fight is already generating excitement across the city.
Boxer Mubarak Abdurhezo
Murtaz Ssemakula, the promoter of the fight under Ssema and Skyshine Promotions, says the time has come to reignite interest in boxing in Mbarara and give promising young athletes an opportunity to showcase their talents.
“We came up with this idea of helping and supporting boxing talent in Mbarara and Ankole at large because we believe we can help discover many talents here, nurture them and promote the sport in the region,” Ssemakula said.
Promoter Murtaz Ssemakula
Mbarara Boxing Club has demonstrated its potential through impressive performances at recent competitions. At the regional boxing novices championship in Fort Portal, the club won three gold and two silver medals, while at the national intermediates championship, it secured one bronze medal.
Robert Mugerwa, a boxer with the same club who has since turned to coaching, is training Abdul Bukenya. He says the club has the potential to achieve even better results but lacks the necessary support.
The bout will feature two boxers with different backgrounds, ages and levels of experience.
Mubarak, 23, who hails from Ruti in Mbarara, has had three fights, winning two and losing one.
Bukenya, a soft-spoken 22-year-old from Katete, has more experience, having fought 12 bouts. He has recorded 10 wins, including three knockouts.
