Mugabi, Kalule for lifetime awards

Ayub Kalule (L) and John Mugabi

What you need to know:

The duo are to be handed Lifetime Achievement honours at the inaugural Fighters’ Awards at Hotel Africana. The awards, aimed at recognising boxing and kickboxing heroes, are organised by Baltic Pro Box Promotions in conjunction with Ethiopian Airlines, Mogas, Jomayi and Power Horse.

Former world kings John ‘the Beast’ Mugabi and Ayub Kalule will tonight be recognised for their contribution to Uganda’s boxing.

The duo are to be handed Lifetime Achievement honours at the inaugural Fighters’ Awards at Hotel Africana. The awards, aimed at recognising boxing and kickboxing heroes, are organised by Baltic Pro Box Promotions in conjunction with Ethiopian Airlines, Mogas, Jomayi and Power Horse.

Kassim Ouma, Godfrey Nyakana and Justin Juuko are some of the other boxers expected be rewarded tonight.
An exhibition fight between Isaac ‘Zebra Ssenyange and Joe ‘Vegas’ Lubega will raise the curtains for the ceremony.

Below we bring you profiles of the top boxers to be decorated tonight.

Ayub Kalule, 61

Kalule, whom Mugabi regards ‘The King’ is arguably Uganda’s best boxer ever. He won two golds: at the 1974 World Championships in Havana, Cuba and 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games.

He was unbeaten throughout his amateur career. He turned pro in 1976 in Denmark and is lauded as the first Denmark-based world champion. He won and retained the WBA Light Middleweight Championship between October 24, 1979 and June 25, 1981.

He still rues the highest profile loss to American Sugar Ray Leonard. Kalule returned to Uganda and is into coaching at Mengo Social Centre.
Record: 50 fights, 46 (24 KOs) wins and 4 losses.

John 'The Beast' Mugabi, 53
A member of the ‘80s golden era, Mugabi won two major silvers: in the 1976 Junior World Championships and 1980 Moscow Olympics. Mugabi turned pro in 1980 under legendary promoter Mickey Duff, settling in England.

He later relocated to USA before he retired in Australia to date. He belongs to the arguably the greatest junior middleweight class in history which included: Marvin Hagler, Sugar Rey Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Wilfred Benitez, Davey Moore and Roberto Duran.

In 1989, he won the WBC middleweight title after knocking out Frenchman Rene Jacquot. Mugabi recorded 26 career knockouts, a streak regarded among the longest in the world. Record: 50 fights, 42 (KOs 39) wins, 7 losses and 1 draw.

BOZA-EDWARDS, 58

Born Cornelius Bbosa, a Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, belongs to Uganda’s golden generation of the ‘70’s which had the likes of Kalule, Mustafa Wasajja, John Munduga, Dick Katende, Charles Lubulwa and Vitalish Bbege.

After missing the boycotted Montreal 1976 Olympics, Boza emigrated to England under British promoter Jack Edwards, where he launched an illustrious professional career.

He however suffered a trauma of his life after his fiancée died before they married. In 1981, he won the WBC super featherweight title, defeating Mexican Rafael Limon by a split decision in a 15-rounder. Boza, lives in Nevada, USA and is co-trainer of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Record: 53 fights, 45 wins (KO 34), 7 losses and 1 draw.

GRACE SSERUWAGI, 83
A product of Kampala Boxing Club, Sseruwagi, is the greatest boxing coach, the national team, the Bombers have ever had. During his 35-year tenure, Uganda ranked fourth in the world, just behind USA, Cuba and USSR in 1974 after the World Championships in Havana, Cuba.

Under his tutelage, Kalule won gold and Joseph Nsubuga won bronze at the championships. Sseruwagi retired in 1995.

TOM KAWERE

Kawere is regarded the boxing godfather. The multi-talented sportsman gave his all to boxing. Under his guide, sporting complexes like Mengo Social Centre, Kampala Boxing Club and National Council for Sports were established with special treatment to boxing. Kawere, a former Bombers captain and coach, nurtured Sseruwagi into coaching. He was also the first East African to win an international boxing medal - a silver at the 1954 Commonwealth Games.