Babu vows to retire Tanzanian rival Mbaluku in Saturday showdown

Saturday, August 22

The Parliament Lounge, Nansana

The Show Down 2 Boxing Event.

Y. Babu (UGA) v K. Mbaruku (TAZ). (Heavyweight)

R. Ssimbwa (UGA) v H. Mugarura (UGA) (Cruiserweight)

Uganda's heavyweight boxer Yusuf 'The Rolling Tiger' Babu has vowed to retire Tanzania's veteran Kheri Mbaluku as the two gear up for their forthcoming clash at the Parliament Lounge in Nansana this Saturday, August 22.

Dubbed The Showdown 2, their blockbuster bout headlines a boxing extravaganza featuring 15 professional contests lined up on the menu, which will also mark Babu's sixth professional fight as he seeks to extend his impressive record.

In Mbaluku, Babu, a former Uganda Bombers captain, faces his third Tanzanian opponent in his pro career, with his last two ending in victories over Stephen Nyamhanga and Alphonce Masumbuko Mchumiatumbo respectively.

"The stage is set and the ring is ready. All I can assure you is we are good to go. Expect nothing apart from a knockout. I'm going to retire this Tanzanian and I doubt he will survive the second round," Babu told Vision Sport.

The 2016 and 2017 Bombers captain comes into this bout with a 4-1-0 ring record, where he has won four and lost once in his only five professional fights.

His only loss came in December last year in Accra, Ghana, against England's budding heavyweight prospect Leo Atang, who is managed by Anthony Joshua's legendary boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn.

Mbaluku, on the other side, faces one of his hardest hurdles to win on Ugandan soil, having lost on all his previous attempts against Herbert 'Black Bomber' Matovu, 'Fabulous' Joey Vegas Lubega, and David Bassajjamivule Kitooke.

Ssimbwa begins professional journey

The same card will have Babu's former Bombers teammate, Australian-based Regan Ssimbwa, who makes his long-awaited professional debut against veteran Herbert Mugarura in a cruiserweight contest.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games quarter-finalist is optimistic he has enough fuel in his tank to kickstart his pro debut on a winning note.

"This is set to be my defining moment in my professional boxing career. I'm happy to start this journey at home. I have prepared well and I can guarantee my fans a win," Ssimbwa, who also won gold at the 2017 Bingwa wa Mabinggwa Boxing Championship, told Vision Sport.

Selected bouts

T. Muwanguzi v A. Kelly. (Super Middleweight)

J. Kyobe v A. Mugisha. (Super Featherweight)

R. Nsamba v P. Musene (Middleweight).

A. Ssembatya v Ibrahim Bisso (Middleweight).