Mubiru, Odeke off to Ireland

By Norman Katende

2006 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Martin Mubiru and Kenneth Odeke have at last been cleared to travel to Ireland and reignite their professional boxing career, after months of training in Kampala.

The duo where supposed to travel early this year but had to go through some clearance which included medical tests and work permit.
 

The duo are set to fly to Ireland courtesy of Atlantic Entertainment, who have joined hands with Ireland based East Coast Boxing to give Ugandans professional boxers a chance to train in modern gyms and also get a chance to more international fights, which will give them an opportunity to go for world title fights.
 

According to Andrew Nyakana, a former national boxer who is now based in America and is behind the trip, the opportunity for Mubiru and Odeke to travel to Ireland is an eye opener to European based boxing promoters that we have talent.
 

“The trouble we have been having is that when we tell them that we have some good and talented boxers in Uganda, these people do not believe in us. However, they have not given us an opportunity and we are looking forward to utilise it effectively,” said Nyakana.
 

East side Boxing club, which is found in Belfast, Ireland and is managed by manager, promoter and trainer Alan Wilton.
 

The club will be catering for their air tickets, accommodation, internal transport and other expenses while in Ireland, which will be part of the contract they are set to sign after the festive season.