Yusuf Babu registers ferocious knockout at showdown 2

Heavyweight Yusuf 'The Rolling Tiger' Babu and Australia-based Regan Ssimbwa registered ferocious knockouts against rivals Christmas Tumshime and Rashid Wanyama, respectively.

Dubbed the Showdown 2, Babu managed to put aside his frustration over a late change in opponent to register a fifth-round knockout over a resilient Tumushime in a fully packed Parliament Lounge in Nansana, Wakiso district.

The former national boxing team captain, the Bombers, was originally scheduled to face Tanzania's veteran Kheri Mbaluku, only for Mbaluku to withdraw a day before the official weigh-in, citing health concerns.

But after enduring such frustration, Babu rose to the occasion, dominating Tumushime amidst his passionate crowd led by Fangone Bossman and musician Alien Skin, real name Patrick Mulwana.

"This victory is for you, my precious fans. And to you, my boss Alien Skin, I thank you for everything and all the support you have extended to me from day one," Babu noted.

However, Babu expressed frustration with his promotion company, Big Bang, over the repeated late changes to his opponents.

"Besides this win, I'm disappointed with my promotion company, Big Bang. This is the second consecutive fight where they have changed my opponent on the last day. I'm thinking of terminating my contract with them," he said.

Victory takes Babu's professional ring record to 5-1-0, with two knockouts, with his only defeat coming against England's Leo Atang in December last year.

The same night had Australia-based Reagan Ssimbwa knockout Jinja-based Rashid Wanyama in one minute and 37 seconds in the cruiserweight division.

Ssimbwa blasts out Wanyama

Earlier, Australia-based Ssimbwa announced his arrival in professional boxing with another devastating performance, stopping Jinja-based Rashid Wanyama in just one minute and 37 seconds of their cruiserweight contest.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games quarterfinalist turned professional earlier this month, and his victory over Wanyama marked his second professional win on Ugandan soil.

He is now set to return to Australia, where he will continue preparations and pursue his professional boxing career.

"I'm so grateful for winning back-to-back fights in my professional career. I thank my management team for the work done and, trust me, we are destined for bigger things," Ssimbwa told Vision Sport.

The Showdown 2 card featured 17 bouts, providing fans with an action-packed night of professional boxing.

Notable undercard blockbusters had super middleweight Ronald stopping Philly Musene in the fifth round, as super welterweight Tom Muwanguzi thumped Amos Kelly.