By Silvano Kibuuka

KAMPALA - A scuffle that ensued at a press conference on Wednesday at Hotel Sojovaro and the verbal insults that have been on between boxers Zebra Senyange ‘Mando’ and Haruna ‘Banabana’ Ddiba will be solved tonight at Lugogo’s MTN Arena.

The two are contesting for the Uganda Boxing Union super middleweight title.

The fight has been dubbed ‘The Rise of Professional Boxing in Uganda’ and the winner gets a shot at the WBO Intercontinental title early next year.

The highly charged fighters nearly exchanged blows at the press conference, had it not been for the intervention of Assistant Inspector General of Police, Andrew Sorowen.

Apart from both fighters boasting of being more than ready for the fight, they both appear to have big enough fan bases that will spur them on during the bout. But a ‘Forces’ battle is also imminent in today’s fight.

For sponsors, Ddiba relies on the Uganda Police whose facilities he has been using for training for the past two months, while Senyange is backed by the UPDF whose amateur boxing team he played for between 2008 and 2010.

Both fighters have support from top class musicians where Jose Chameleon roots for Senyange, while Ddiba has Ghetto president Bobi Wine behind him.

“I camped at Hotel Africana and have been fed by Salim Uhuru. I cannot let down IGP (Kale) Kayihura and all other sponsors. Senyange should lay hands off boxing,” said Banabana. “I will first teach him boxing then knock him down.”

Big Strikers International promotions manager Emmanuel Mwesigwa has assured the public of maximum security, discipline and an entertaining evening at Lugogo.

The fight is sponsored by the Uganda Police, Jomayi Property Consultants, Power Horse and Queens Tech among others.