Veterans Obin, Wandera seek end-of-year redemption

Obin (R) loves a fast start and he has vowed not to relent as he targets a knockout against his 19-year-old pro rookie opponent Hasani in Kosovo today. PHOTOS/ COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • At 37, this looks to be Wandera’s golden chance for a title as he peeps into the evening of a career that pales in comparison to his big brother’s.

To many in the local boxing arena 2020 has almost been a dead year, largely due to covid-19. But two Ugandan professionals in the diaspora are defying the pandemic to end the year in the ring tonight.

Hamza Wandera and Micheal Obin, who are based in Sweden, travelled to Pec, Kosovo this weekend to fight in the event organised by Gjocaj Promotion and Arena Ring Promotion inside the Palestra Karagac arena tonight.

 Wandera, the younger brother to former world champion Kassim Ouma, faces Italian Aaron Molli for the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) International Cruiser Title, one of the three title shots tonight.
Meanwhile, Obin faces Alaudin Hasani, a 19 year-old debutant, who was born just nine years before Obin’s first professional fight, in Kampala.
“He is not as experienced as me although he has a good amateur record,” Obin said in a Facebook chat with Sunday Monitor.  

“He has 120 amateur fights France though was born in Kosovo.”
Wandera has won 19, lost 17, drawn three of his 39 professional fights, since his debut in Uganda in 2006. But he has lost all his three international title shots, the last one being the World Boxing Organisation Africa Light Heavy Title to Ghanaian Briamah Kamoko in 2012 in Accra.
Wandera’s last victory was against Hungarian Viktor Szalai in 2016, which preceded a streak of eight losses till February 2020.

At 37, this looks to be Wandera’s golden chance for a title as he peeps into the evening of a career that pales in comparison to his big brother’s.
On the other hand, Obin had retired in 2016, having lost his last five fights (seven in 12) to train at the Fight Club Stockholm, but returns in a non-title middleweight four-rounder that prepares him for a bigger event in Uganda next year.

He largely blames the losses on biased officiating, but he is plotting to knockout the Kosovan as the best way to celebrate his comeback.
“My fans should expect a win by TKO because when we go all rounds I don’t trust the judges because it has ever happened to me,” he vows.
“Most of my fights my opponents have home advantage. I was unlucky in the past but I am looking to make it count on this comeback.”


OBIN AT A GLANCE
Age: 35
Pro debut: October 2010
Stance: Orthodox
Pro Record: 5-7-0

WANDERA BRIEFLY
Age: 37
Pro Debut: August 2006
Stance:  Southpaw
Pro Record: 17-19-3
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