Kickboxing champ Umar Semata looks to defend title

By Silvano Kibuuka

 (Record; 51 fights, 33 wins, 10 losses and 8 draws)

Umar Semata, the fresh World Kickboxing Federation Muay Thai champion, has given laid his next move after capturing the title at Natete Shipping Center last Sunday.

Semata who also doubles as World Boxing Council International welterweight champion has said that his next venture will be to defend the title he won in 2013 in Kampala.

At a press conference at Katumwa Sports Center, Semata flanked by his manager Alice Namatovu and trainer Bob Lee Mbaziira, said he is working around the clock with his Kampala-based manager to foster the defence title for the WBC International title in Kampala due in August.

“But I have to go to China for another big non-title fight as per schedule from my Thailand Lion Gym program for a fight,” he said.

“That will be a tune-up for the defense, though I am always in the gym fighting. I have already started training because as a Muay Thai fighter we don’t rest for weeks after a fight like the case in boxing.”

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At the press conference, Semata was flanked by his manager Alice Namatovu and trainer Bob Lee Mbaziira. PHOTO/Silvano Kibuuka

Semata, who is anticipating a sponsorship deal with Katumwa Sports Center, told journalists of his fight against Egyptian fighter Abdallah Hussein.

He said he opted to change style from Muay Thai to K1 in the ring, saying he actually won the title in the first round when the opponent stepped out of the ring contemplating to change the style of fighting.

“The fight should have ended there but the supervisor from Hungary, Roseman Eastvan and the officials of Uganda Kickboxing Federation convinced me not to disappoint fans and agreed to continue with the K1 style. The agreement for the fight actually had Muay Thai full riles to follow,” clarified Semata.

He challenged UKF officials and WKF to be strict with the fighters who opt for Muay Thai yet they are not very conversant it.

“It happened to Moses Golola and now Abdallah Hussein,” he added.

Semata also ruled out antics, insisting he should take on Ugandan kickboxing champion Moses Golola, saying no fighter in Uganda can match him (Semata) in the Muay Thai style.

“I now have the task of building a strong foundation for Muay Thai and kickboxing in Uganda by building proper gyms because those being used are designed for boxing,” Semata hinted on his future plan.