Kyakonye faces biggest test yet against Czech heavyweight Salek
Kyakonye takes on Salek, a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight contender, in a non-title eight-round thriller
Uganda's Netherlands-based World Boxing Federation heavyweight champion, Willy "The Ring Tiger" Kyakonye, faces a tough test against Czech Republic's Tomas Salek this Saturday, July 18, in Amsterdam
Sat, July 18, Rijswijk, Netherlands
W. Kyakonye (UGA) v T. Salek (CZE)
Uganda's Netherlands-based heavyweight boxer Willy "The Ring Tiger" Kyakonye faces one of the biggest tests of his professional career when he squares off against experienced Czech Republic opponent Tomas Salek this Saturday, July 18, in the Dutch city of Rijswijk.
Kyakonye takes on Salek, a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight contender, in a non-title eight-round thriller, knowing that any slip could dent his WBC, IBF, WBA, and WBO title aspirations.
Their heavyweight clash comes just days after the latest World Boxing Council (WBC) rankings placed the Ugandan hard puncher 10th in the bridgerweight division for July.
Speaking to Vision Sport, Kyakonye, the reigning World Boxing Federation (WBF) heavyweight champion, revealed his readiness to floor Salek in pursuit of improving his world ranking.
"First of all, this fight has come at a time when I'm still celebrating my latest achievement of the WBC ranking me in the top 10. It is proof that I'm currently trading with the world's best in the division," Kyakonye said.
"All I can guarantee my fans back home is that Salek is going to kiss the canvas. I have camped for the last four months, and trust me, this Czech won't survive."
Signed under the Dutch BAV Frisia boxing gym, managed by Dutch agent Aart Boendermaker, and trained by legendary Dutch trainer Vincent Stikkorlorum, Kyakonye comes into this contest with a 13-0-0 ring record.
A bronze medalist at the 2015 African Boxing Championship, Kyakonye remains the only Ugandan boxer to have competed in the now-defunct International Boxing Association (IBA) World Series of Boxing. He faces Salek on the back of an impressive run that includes eight straight knockout wins and 12 in total.
Only Germany's Vincenzo Anzalone has gone toe to toe with the former national boxing team Bombers' assassin.
But in Salek, Kyakonye faces a tricky opponent. The Czech comes into this bout with a 24-9-0 ring record, with 12 of his 24 victories coming by knockout.