Ukasha Matovu marks explosive return to Uganda Boxing Champions League
The atmosphere inside the MTN Arena in Lugogo was electric as fans chanted "Ukasha, Ukasha, UkashaLee" throughout.
Ukasha Matovu (left) made light work of Isaac Kasasa, knocking him out in the third round on his return to the Uganda Boxing Champions League Season Five. Photo by Fred Kisekka
From filling the MTN Arena to capacity, to donning an Irish gypsy attire on his ring walk, to unleashing his renowned atomic left hook that sent Katabi Boxing Club's Isaac Kasasa wobbling, Ukasha Matovu delivered a night to remember at Week Five of Season Five of the Uganda Boxing Champions League (UBCL).
The atmosphere inside the MTN Arena in Lugogo was electric as fans chanted "Ukasha, Ukasha, UkashaLee" throughout the seven minutes and 29 seconds it took the light middleweight to stop Kasasa in the third round.
Others could be heard shouting "Ddala Akomyeewo", a Luganda phrase meaning "Indeed, he is back" as Matovu marked his long-awaited return to the UBCL in emphatic fashion after a 542-day sabbatical.
The COBAP Boxing Club southpaw last appeared in the UBCL on Boxing Day 2024 during the Season Three finals, where he suffered a split-decision defeat to teammate and current Bombers captain Nuhu "Muzaata Batteso" Batte in the welterweight division. His emphatic, deserved, and comfortable third-round victory over Kasasa left his fans clamouring for more.
Nicknamed "Morocco" and "UkashaLee," Matovu wasted no time sending a warning to the rest of the division.
"This victory is not for Ukasha but for my amazing fans. We have done it once again, and I thank you for always standing by my side," Matovu said after the fight.
He added: "Guys, this is just the beginning. Like I had warned Kasasa, I'm back to reclaim what belongs to me. I'm here to reclaim my throne. My opponents, be ready for what is coming."
Matovu's return lights up the light middleweight division, which also features rookie fighters including Nerrick "Bulabe" Tumusiime, Bashir "Horse Power" Serugo, Depark Mawanda, and Jonathan Wasswa, son of 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Mike Ssekabembe.
In other thrillers on the night, which also featured members of the 2026 Commonwealth Games-bound team, lightweight Ibrahim Kemis delivered an impressive fifth-round Referee Stopped the Contest (RSC) victory over Shafiq Babiro. She Bombers captain Emily Nakalema stopped Leilah Nalule in the second round, while heavyweight Abdul Azizi Hard, alias "Azizi Ringo," secured a walkover victory against Patrick Ssenyonjo.
The event also featured a para-boxing contest in which Sultan Najib claimed a unanimous points decision victory over Shafiq Kizza.
Elsewhere, Kololo BC's Kato Kazibwe defeated Kevin "Captain America" Ssendyowa via unanimous decision, while UPDF's Harold Mukuye edged out Katabi BC's John Ssemugayire in a narrow 4-3 split decision following a bout review.
Among the spectators were Makindye East Member of Parliament Ali Nganda Mulyanyama and Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) president Moses Muhangi.