John 'The Beast' Mugabi back after 21 years
Feb 25, 2015
Legendary Ugandan boxer John ‘The Beast’ Mugabi is expected to arrive to a rousing welcome at Entebbe International Airport as he returns home today after 21 years in the diaspora.
By Samson Opus
Legendary Ugandan boxer John ‘The Beast’ Mugabi is expected to arrive to a rousing welcome at Entebbe International Airport as he returns home today after 21 years in the diaspora.
Mugabi, who bagged a silver medal during the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, is among the boxers set to be crowned during the Fighter Awards at Hotel Africana on Friday.
Fighter Awards organising committee Chairman Eddie Bazira said arrangements are in place to accord the boxing prodigy VIP welcome on arrival at Entebbe.
“This is a very important milestone to celebrate the achievements of boxing. We hope it can change the perception of boxing,” the Sweden-based Bazira said.
Popularly nicknamed as ‘The Beast’ for his devastating punching power, Mugabi went on to win the WBC light middleweight title in 1989 and is still revered as one of the hardest punchers ever.
The Mugabi versus Marvin Hagler showdown in 1986 is still regarded as one of the greatest fights in professional boxing history. This deservedly bestows the former national boxer honours during Fighter Awards.
The award gala is organised by Sweden-based Baltic Pro Box Promotions Group as one way of recognising the achievements of boxing.
A mammoth crowd of boxing fans is expected to receive the Australia-based boxing prodigy.
Mugabi together with his Kenyan manager Vincent Maina are expected to jet home aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight at 1pm. Also expected to jet home tonight is US-based Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma and Boza Edwards.
“This is a very big occasion. National heroes like (John) Mugabi are a good source of inspiration to the youth,” said former boxer and Kampala Central Mayor Godfrey Nyakana.
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