Muhumuza dares Odeke

By Samson Opus

BIG Strikers International have at last realised their dream for a national championship for professional boxing with an offer of sponsorship from oil firm Mogas Uganda Limited.

The deal that was reached last week will see Mogas direct inject their financial muscle for the championship that will ensure regular competition in various categories as boxers contest for lucrative national titles.

To promoter Emmanuel Mwesigwa the sponsorship is a landmark in the paid ranks in Uganda.

“This is a big development that will raise the bar in professional boxing. This will ensure that Ugandan boxers will scale greater heights because of regular competition,” observed Mwesigwa.

Unveiling the offer last week, Mogas managing director Partha Ghosh promised to offer whatever is necessary for the programme that will run in conjunction with Uganda Boxing Union.

“We are very glad to be associated with the great sport. I am sure through this competition, we shall see more world champions like (Stephen) Kiprotich,” pledged Gosh.

Competition for the national titles has been constrained by lack of sponsorship which translates to meager prize money.

The Mogas deal takes effect next month when Kenneth Odeke challenges Hudson Muhumuza for the national heavyweight title on October 4.

The winner of the 10-round contest will take on Iranian Sayed Abbas Nassib in December, according to Mwesigwa. 

The Iranian beat Odeke to the World Boxing Forum (WBF) Africa heavyweight title last month. Odeke, who was floored in the sixth round, is trying to redeem himself as he had been heavily fancied to beat the Iranian.