Kiwanuka knocks out Congolese Mbikayi

Go Home, Sleep. Uganda’s Shafik Kiwanuka (R) alias Killer Machine knocks down Tyson Mbikayi of Democratic Republic of Congo (L) during their heavyweight fight on Friday night at a fully packed MTN Arena, Lugogo. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA

What you need to know:

  • In both corners were former Olympians who saw the match through different prisms. Anthony Mwamba, Zambia’s quarterfinalist at the 1988 Olympics and Mbikayi’s trainer, was disappointed in the premature end of the fight but congratulated the victor.

Heavyweight boxer Shafik Kiwanuka landed his second Knock Out (KO) in his second professional bout when he stopped DR Congo’s Tyson Mbikayi in less than a minute.

It was only 13 minutes past midnight, when the fight between Kiwanuka and Mbikayi started at MTN Arena-Lugogo. Fans were anticipating a tough test for Kiwanuka, but true to his moniker, the 'Killing Machine' reacted in a few seconds with fierce hooks that sent his opponent on the floor.

One left hook landed on Mbikayi’s chest and sent him to the ropes before he slid and sat on the floor. Kiwanuka remained jogging, ready to relaunch the attack when his opponent gets up, but a limping Mbikayi gave up.

“I thank all my fans for this huge support, and I promise to kill more opponents in my pursuit of world titles,” Kiwanuka said after the fight.

“I was somehow scared of his weight [Mbikayi is 13 kilos heavier], but the Killing Machine spares no one and you witnessed it.”

In both corners were former Olympians who saw the match through different prisms. Anthony Mwamba, Zambia’s quarterfinalist at the 1988 Olympics and Mbikayi’s trainer, was disappointed in the premature end of the fight but congratulated the victor.

Meanwhile Kiwanuka’s trainer Abdu Tebazaalwa, Uganda’s representative at the 2000 Olympics, reiterated his dismissal of Mbikayi as “too slow for Shafik, he couldn’t carry his weight.”

On his pro debut March 22, Kiwanuka, fighting under Great Strikers Promotion, knocked out Kenya’s David Khamala within round one at Lugogo.
“Whoever crossed my way, I’m ready,” he threatened.

MTN ARENA-LUGOGO, FRIDAY NIGHT RESULTS

Kiwanuka bt Mbikayi [heavyweight]

Celestino Odongo bt Male Saulo [middleweight]

Latib Muwonge bt Sadam Mukasa [jr. welterweight]

Aldina Muzeeyi bt Ben Sajjabbi [featherweight]

Mercy Acayo bt Sharon Kyomukama

Hudson Muhumuza bt Isaac Kamya [heavyweight]