David Ssemujju makes history with title defence in Japan

Uganda’s David “De Animal” Ssemujju has cemented his place in the annals of Japanese boxing and the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) following his triumph over Japan’s undefeated Urashima Masayuki.

On Tuesday night, March 24, Ssemujju successfully defended his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Asia Pacific welterweight title and Japanese welterweight title for the second time, becoming the first African boxer to achieve the feat.

Fighting before a packed crowd at Tokyo’s iconic Korakuen Hall, the heartbeat of Japanese boxing, Ssemujju overcame a ferocious Masayuki in a grueling ten-round contest that ended in a hard-fought draw, enough to retain his WBO title on Japanese soil. His first title defence came in August 2025, when he knocked out another Japanese opponent, Kosei Nogami, in the eighth round.

A former national team boxer who represented Uganda as a middleweight at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Ssemujju dictated the pace from the opening bell, landing heavy head and body shots that left Masayuki staggering. Amid chants of “Ssemujju!” from flag-waving Ugandan fans led by Samuel Kavuma and Ssemujju’s younger brother, Isaac Ssebuufu, also a boxer, Ssemujju stepped up the pressure and finished the bout strongly.

The judges scored the contest 93-97, 95-95, and 95-95 in favor of the former KCCA Boxing Club Black Bomber.

“The truth is I wanted to defend this title in a more impressive way, but I’m grateful I have achieved my main goal of retaining the belt,” Ssemujju told Vision Sport.

“Masayuki gave me a headache, and like I told you before the fight, he is equally a good boxer. I only edged him using my ring experience and the never-give-up spirit of the Viking in me,” he added.

With a professional record of 11 fights, nine wins (five by knockout), one draw, and one loss, Ssemujju is now destined for major honors in the division.

His coach at Chunichi Boxing Gym in Nagoya, Jeff Nygoi, believes the Ugandan is on a path to global greatness.

“When you look at how fearless and ruthless, how hardworking and disciplined Ssemujju is, it’s only a matter of time. He has all the attributes of a world champion,” Nygoi said.

Since making his professional debut in 2022 at KCCA’s Phillip Omondi Stadium in Lugogo, Ssemujju has lost only once—to Uzbekistan’s Kamronbek Eshmatov—further underlining his rapid rise in the sport.