Nigerian star Mr. Eazi to support construction of Zebra Boxing Club gym

Super welterweight champion, Isaac Zebra Ssenyange Jr’s mission to keep alive his father’s boxing legacy both in and off the ring is not yet over.

The newly crowned national boxing champion has struck a deal with Nigerian music superstar Mr. Eazi under the Chop Gaming franchise that will pioneer the construction of a fully equipped modern gym for Zebra Boxing Club.

It is a dream that Ssenyanger Jr’s late father, Zebra Mando Ssenyange had while starting the club in 2003 before he was shot dead on December 29, 2020, without seeing it come true.

Nigerian star Mr. Eazi (second right) handing over a dummy cheque to Mercy Mukankusi, Zebra's widow and boxer Isaac Zebra Ssenyange jr, while Twaibu Mayanja (right) brother to the late Zebra looks on

The club situated in the ghettos of Bwaise, Kampala has produced formidable boxers that among others include former ABU East and Central Africa welterweight champion Solomon ‘Embwa Enjizi’ Bogere, Marvin Ssali, Dubai-based trio of Abdul Aziz- Ssebulime alias Inno Lee, Fahad Mulinddwa and Ben Nsubuga who is now among the leading boxing promoters in the Arab country.

During the launch of the construction of the Zebra Boxing Club gym in Bwaise, Mr Eazi real name Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade revealed how the late Zebra Ssenyange’s inspiring story caught his attention before committing himself to fulfill his pending dream.

Nigerian artiste Mr Eazi (centre) sharing contacts with boxer Isaac Zebra Ssenyange jr (second left), while Twaibu Mayanja (right) brother of the late Zebra (rightt) looks on. PHOTO: Fred Kisekka

“I’m inspired by the story of the late Zebra with the way he used boxing to nurture young talents. It is this story that is behind my decision to fulfill his dream,” Mr Eazi told the press.

“My assurance to the Uganda boxing fraternity is that I have partnered with Chop Gaming to make sure we construct a fully equipped modern gym for this great club.”

To Ssenyange Jr and his mother Mercy Mukankuzi who is Zebra’s window, this is a life-changing achievement.

“We have produced many champions in the last 21 years while training in a ramshackle gym. We are confident the day the newly constructed gym will be officially handed to us, our club will turn into Uganda’s boxing talent factory.

Allan Tumushabe, a director of Choplife Gaming revealed how their mission is to give support and to develop Ugandan sports under their corporate social responsibility.

The gym's pending construction is estimated to cost millions of money including buying Zebra Boxing Club equipment, a modern Olympic-size ring, punching bags, treadmills, and peloton Bikes, among others.