Bouts to watch on Champions League finale

As Top Boy wraps up a third consecutive season of the Uganda Boxing Champions League, the fans who will fill the spacious UMA Main Hall on Boxing Day have plenty of thrillers to marvel at as the fighters battle for silverware.

Kemis (Mutajjazi) vs Adriko (KCCA)

One of the biggest crowd-pullers, Kemisi has maintained his unbeaten streak in the league since late 2021. Beaten in the semifinals of the 2024 National Open, Kemisi should have missed the league. But for his brand he got a wildcard and has impressed with six league wins in a year he has also sat his O’Level exams.

He’s the 2023 youth bantamweight champion. Now, after outfoxing 2023 African silver medallist Wasswa Ssali four weeks ago, Kemisi is the favourite for the elite lightweight title. But Adriko is equally tough. A heavy puncher, with a granite jaw and a lion’s heart.

 Ukasha (Cobap) vs Batte (Cobap)

We’re not even sure this will happen. One of the fighters has a habit of avoiding tricky fights. But let’s be positive: it will happen. But shall it be a thriller? Shall Ukasha go as hard as ever against a boy who has idolised him for years? Or shall Batte exude the confidence and hunger against the poster boy of his club and deny him the welterweight title he missed last season? Shall the ref and judges be fair? Who will the rowdy Cobap fans cheer for most? What will the club coaches do?

Raskara (KCCA) vs Amoko (UPDF)

A trilogy between fearless boys, hungry for their first league title. Last season, their first in the league, they stood no chance against Joshua Tukamuhebwa. Now that the former Bombers captain is abroad, the top light welterweight slot can go either way.

Raskara won their first meeting: the 2023 National Open final, a very close contest, where both fought with their hearts on their sleeves.

In a rematch in the league in September 2023, Amoko thumped the pathetic Raskara until the ref stopped the bout in the fourth round at the New Obligato.

On Boxing Day last year Raskara was humiliated by Tukamuhebwa after entering the ring on a throne like a king. This season, the Naguru boy has regained his mojo, balancing action and showbiz. But Amoko, returning from a triumphal mission at Africa Military Games in Nigeria, is a tough package. 

Kibira (Lukanga) vs Tumusiime (Kol.H)

A huge bone to pick here. And lots to prove by both. Tumusiime, aka Nerrick Bulabe, is an exciting young fighter: bold, fast and skilled. But his biggest victory so far was a controversial split decision against 2022 Commonwealth Games boxer Kibira in the light middleweight final of the National Open in April. Since then, Tumusiime has grown into one of the must-watch boxers of the league. Kibira, once a huge prospect like Tumusiime about three years ago, has won twice in the league, both by stoppages—a shot of confidence. In November, Nerrick was outclassed by Bashir Serugo, whom Kibira had knocked out in June. But Kibira knows without a knockout, he must be exceptional to win a decision against “the favourite” Nerrick.

Rickman Manrick vs Grenade

We know little from Rickman Manrick’s camp. But we have seen Grenade sparring and doing mittwork at the PUG Farm Gym in Wembley, UK, where world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois trains. The video—and it’s not AI Generated—went viral on social media, with many viewers marvelling at Grenade’s boxing skills.

This will be the third bout of the corporate boxing series since the first between Zari’s Shakib Lutaaya and JK Kazoora.

Unlike Shakib and Kazoora, Grenade and Rickman have legit beef, not based on music, but because of their failed flings with socialite Sheila Gashumba.