Lukanga and COBAP set for thrilling showdown at National Novices Championship

Lukanga Boxing Club and rivals COBAP kicked off the 2024 National Novices Championship with high energy, promising fans another thrilling showdown between the two giants.

This year’s championship will feature the first-ever computer system for recording scores and all boxers’ results.

A massive 847 boxers, both men and women, are set to trade hooks, jabs, and uppercuts over seven days at the MTN Arena in Lugogo.

Of the 847 boxers, 740 are men and 107 are women. The competition includes 360 elite boxers, 199 youth boxers, and 288 juniors from sixty-five clubs, setting a new championship record.

The main battle is expected to be between Lukanga Boxing Club, aiming to defend their overall title for a record sixth time, and their rivals COBAP, who finished second overall last year.

The two powerhouses recently clashed at the National Open Championship, where COBAP outperformed Lukanga to win their first elite trophy. However, Lukanga won the Youth, Juniors, and Women categories to emerge as overall champions.

Lukanga’s head coach, Twaibu Mayanja, is confident in their chances: “As usual, we have assembled a formidable team that is going to finish the business. We are in a league of our own. We are unstoppable, unmatched, and unrivalled.”

COBAP’s coach, Lawrence Kalyango, known as ‘Coach Lora,’ is optimistic about ending Lukanga’s dominance: “We checked Lukanga’s dominance at this year’s National Open by winning the elite trophy. This time we are going to dethrone them and end their dictatorship and dominance.”

Day one of action saw COBAP’s welterweight Andrew Yiga knock out Aggrey BC’s Felix Bazira, and lightweight Kenneth Kaddu defeat Zebra BC’s John Kagoda. Lukanga’s lightweight Shadik Wadada unanimously beat Gideon BC’s Martin Kabogoza, while Police BC’s welterweight Ali Kizito defeated East Coast BC’s Denis Mawanda, and Bunyoro’s Ivan Kakooza overcame Kyanja BC’s Gabriel Kago.

As Mayanja and Kalyango vie for the top spot, KCCA Boxing Club’s Vicky Byarugaba aims to finish in the top three.

Selected Bouts

·      Kemis Kizito (Gulu BC) bt Arona Benjamin (UBF)

·      Abraham Asuket (Mbale BC) bt David Kinkumu (Nyangweso BC).

·      Usama Kiweewa (Namungoona BC) bt Bin Laden Senono (Nakawa)

·      Swale Abdulazak (UPDF) bt Emmanuel Okello (Alebtong BC).

·      Brian Kaweesi (UBF) bt Josep Kisiibo (Brawn BC)