Farahat ‘The Nightmare’ Manirola makes history with victory in Russia

Lightweight Farahat ‘The Nightmare’ Manirola has etched his name in Ugandan boxing history, becoming the first puncher from the country to win a boxing match in Russia.

The 21-year-old defied all odds with a unanimous decision victory over Russia’s Georgii Chelokhsaev in a non-title eight-round contest held in the early hours of Sunday, March 30, at the iconic Luzhniki Arena in Moscow.

The venue holds a painful memory for Ugandan boxing fans, having hosted Joey Vegas Lubega’s knockout loss to current IBF, IBO, and WBO light heavyweight world champion Dmitrii Bivol in 2015.

For years, Russia has been a “den of death” for Ugandan boxers, as none had ever won on its territory until Manirola’s breakthrough.

Legends of the sport, including former world champion Kasim ‘The Dream’ Ouma, Justin ‘The Destroyer’ Jjuuko, Badru ‘Mr Crush’ Lusambya, Joey Vegas Lubega, and Peter Okello, all attempted to conquer the Russian stage but fell short with ferocious defeats.

The jinx extended to the current generation, with Muhammed Kabona Ssebyaala and Shadir Musa Bwogi—the latter having lost twice in Russia under the International Boxing Association (IBA) Champions Night franchise, also coming up short.

Manirola has now rewritten that narrative.

Fighting under Kololo Boxing Club, representing the national team (the Bombers), while also competing professionally under the Ddamulira and Sons Foundation, Manirola, a two-time ForteBet Real Star monthly award winner, described the victory as historic and a turning point for Ugandan boxing.

“This win is not only for Farahat but for the entire country. It has opened a new chapter for us that we have the potential and can dream again,” Manirola told Vision Sport.

“I have broken this jinx because I have always believed in myself. My next move is to work even harder. A lot is yet to come and impossible is nothing.”

Before the fight, all odds were in Chelokhsaev’s favour. The Russian boasted an impressive ring record of 28 fights, with 24 wins (16 by knockout), three losses, and one draw.

But true to his ring name, ‘The Nightmare’, Manirola, widely expected to be a punching bag in Russiaturned into a nightmare for Chelokhsaev, dominating from the first bell to the last to earn an emphatic unanimous points decision.

Manirola entered the contest with a record of 15 fights, 12 wins (nine by knockout), and three losses, a mark he has now improved to 16 wins, 13 victories (including knockouts), and three losses.