New elimination bouts for All Africa bombers
Tough bout. Moses Kabuka (L) punches Yasin Mugambwa (R) in the Fly 52kg during the elimination fights that Kanuka won by RSC in the second round at Lugogo. Kabuka earlier on knocked out commonwealth medalist Juma Miiro in the first round. Photo by John Batanudde
KAMPALA. The first elimination boxing trials were concluded on Wednesday with various bouts aimed at reducing the number of boxers in training camp to four per weight category, ahead of all Africa Games due August 12-31 in Rabat, Morocco.
Today the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) will hold the second and official elimination trials at Lugogo which will see each weight category remain with two contenders: the main and reserve boxer.
These will face off in the final elimination for the ticket to Rabat.
Coach Patrick Lihanda said that boxers have shown a high level of competition as most of them did not rest after the National Open Boxing Championships, and have been training in their respective gyms.
“Those who rested after the National Open have been boxed-out out of camp, however those who continued with hard work, it has indeed paid off,” he said.
Lihanda added that the flyweight (52kg) has been the most competitive weight category with 10 boxers, however after consequent bouts, they were reduced to four including Moses Kabuuka, Muhammed Lwanga, Champion Busingye and John Bosco Katongole.
Kabuuka who knocked out Juma Miiro, a Commonwealth bronze medallist, is among the boxers to watch during today’s trials.
“We have not yet held draws, I do not know my opponent but my aim is securing a place at the national team. I have trained harder and I believe my hard work will pay off,” Kabuuka told this paper yesterday.
After the trials, the two boxers in each weight category will be put in separate residential training camps and shall only meet on fight days to avoid conflicts.
Selected weights
Moses Kabuuka - Flyweight (52kg)
Champion Busingye - Flyweight (52kg)
Muhammed Lwanga - Flyweight (52kg)
John Bosco Katongole - Flyweight (52kg)
Isaac Masembe - Featherweight (57kg)
Marvin Ssali - Featherweight (57kg)
Rodgers Kamulegeya - Featherweight (57kg)
Sowali Sentongo - Featherweight (57kg)
Shadir Musa - Welterweight (69kg)
Hamid Daku - Welterweight (69kg)
Abdu Aziz Ssebulime - Welterweight (69kg)
Lawrence Tamale - Welterweight (69kg)
