World boxing champ Lubega to defend title in Kampala

By Swalley Kenyi

At long last Uganda will host a global boxing title bout.

Uganda Professional Boxing Commission has announced that World Boxing Council International (WBCI) light heavyweight champion Joseph Lubega will defend his belt against a yet to be identified opponent in Kampala on November 30.

UPBC said Lubega’s challenger the will be known within the course of the week.

UPBC officials revealed the plan to stage the title defence in Kampala on Monday while presenting the international belt the boxer won to state sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi at his office.

Lubega knocked out homeboy Kirt Sinnette in the fourth round in Trinidad and Tobago’s city of Port-of-Spain to win the previously vacant title.

“I’m number one in the world. I want to defend this title from here so that I become the first Ugandan to bring a world title fight home. I request Ugandans to support me and make it a success for me to defend the title,” Lubega said at a press briefing.

In 1997, Justin Juuko won the WBCI super featherweight belt but did not defend it from the country.

Bakkabulindi has already asked National Council of Sports to ensure the fight is staged in the MTN Arena as a way to resurrect the dead amateur boxing through which Lubega’s talent was nurtured, taking part in the Olympic Games before he turned professional.
 

  WBCI champion Joseph Lubega arrives at Entebbe  from Trinidad and Tobago on Sept 5 2012 after his victory over Kirt Sinnette. PHOTO/Silvano Kibuuka
 

Lubega meets State sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi. He will be defending the title at the Lugogo Sports Arena on November 30. PHOTO/Norman Katende