By Julius Senyimba

Local sports fans at least had something to cheer them up after another devastating failure by the national soccer team to reach the Nations Cup finals.

On Friday (or Saturday morning, technically speaking) Ugandan kick boxer Ronald Mugula came true to his word when he pounded Hungarian Andras Nagy into submission at the start of the second round of a five-round fight.

It was possibly going to be the last fight for many fans had Mugula lost. But thanks to him, a new chapter therefore, creating difference between himself and Moses Golola.

Although the motor-mouthed Golola takes the credit for marketing the sport, he unfortunately remained a ‘joking subject’ in the ring.

After so much hype, he disappointed many a local fan when he was battered by, first Nagy and then another Hungarian Mate Zsamboki in Kampala.

In the run-up to the Friday fight, some notable differences between Mugula and Golola were obvious.

Mugula eats just ‘enough’

Golola’s had given the impression that the kick-boxing sport was synonymous with eating food in big quantities. But Mugula, when asked about his diet, he replied: “I eat normally and the usual food.”

Mugula, a man of few words

Mugula hardly brags about this or that.

He is comparable to Stephen Kiprotich, no wonder they are both world champions! Any mention of the name Golola, will bring memories of ‘that talkative kick boxer’.

Mugula even failed to fully talk to his supporters on Friday after the victory. But the day Golola beat an unknown Sudanese, he spoke for over 20 minutes — non-stop.

Many can identify Golola much easier by voice other than his face.

Experienced coaches

A good coach makes a good athlete. A well-planned training schedule is also important for good results.

Mugula’s victory did not come by surprise therefore, considering his technical team. He had two Japanese trainers on top of a German coach taking him through training drills for three weeks, ahead of the fight.

He jogged in water at Lido Beach as he worked on his kick strength. Mugula’s camp was hard to access and journalists were given visiting hours!

But Golola’s four-month preparations for Nagy’s fight were full of drama. He went to Kabale where he chopped wood, cracked stones and climbed hills, just like in John Rambo’s movie ‘Rocky 4’.

He was always available for journalists for interviews, but the results did not reflect the hype.

Mugula is technical

During Golola’s fights, it was evident he preferred sheer strength to technique. This turned costly to him often landing into his opponents kicks and punches.

On the contrary, Mugula has the skill and will always calculate his moves before he goes into attack.