Here comes Semata’s moment
Uganda’s World Boxing Council and World Kickboxing Federation Muay Thai Super Middleweight champion Umar Semata and his challenger Piotr Lagodzki (L) pose with fight sponsors Jack Pemba, the Pemba Sports Africa chairman (C) and Alice Namatovu after weigh-in yesterday. The two fighters face off at Hotel Africana tonight. Gates open at 4pm. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
Kampala- Muaythai kickboxer Umar Semata wants to use his fight against Australian Piotr Lagodzki tonight to silence his doubters and prove he is the best in Uganda.
The two fighters will exchange punches at Hotel Africana as Semata tries to defend his World Kickboxing Federation (WKF) intercontinental welterweight title.
This will be Semata’s first defence of his belt since defeating Egyptian Abdullah Hussein last year to win the belt that was previously held by Andras Nagy (RIP). Hungarian Nagy had defeated popular Ugandan Moses Golola to claim the accolade in 2011.
Nagy then lost the title to Ronald Mugula before Hussein convincingly beat the Ugandan (Mugula) to claim it in 2014.
“I am excited and honoured to be defending my world championship title in Kampala,” Semata said during a press briefing yesterday. “I’m going to put in a career-best performance and get the stoppage so I can add another knockout to my record,” he added after weighing in at 68.7kgs.
Tonight’s event, the International Boxing Mixed (IBM) gala, will be the fourth of its kind in Uganda.
The show will see Semata fight in Uganda for the first time since 2013.
His last bout was against another Australian Rhys Karakriacos, who he defeated to win the World Muaythai belt. Lagodzki insists he won’t go down easily like his countryman.
“Semata is a good opponent on paper but it all depends on what he’s like when we get in the ring,” said Lagodzki, who weighed in at 68.7kgs as well.
Also in a world-title bout tonight is Ugandan David Basajjamivule as he faces Zimbabwe’s Tineyi Maridzo for East and Central Africa Boxing Super Middleweight title.
TONIGHT AT AFRICANA
Umar Semata (UGA) vs. Piotr Lagodzki (Australia)
East & Central Africa title fight
David Basajjamivule vs. Tineyi Maridzo (Zimbabwe)
NON-TITLE FIGHTS
N. Gomba (SA) vs. S. Shakir (MAR)
Walijjo (UGA) vs. Sharif Bukenya (UG)
J. Tumukunde vs. Robertson
TICKETS: Shs20, 000 (ordinary)
Shs50, 000 (VIP)
