Semata to defend WBC crown in August

By Silvano Kibuuka 

WORLD Kickboxing Federation Muay Thai champion Umar Semata has promised Ugandans that he will maintain a winning display in future. 

The Thailand-based fighter defeated Egypt’s Abdallah Hessen to capture the welterweight title at Natete Shopping Centre on May 4. 

Semata is also the World Boxing Council (WBC) International welterweight champion. 

The fighter said at a press conference in Kampala that he plans to defend the WBC crown on home turf in August. 

China trip 

He is scheduled to take on a French opponent. 

Before the fight, the Ugandan will travel to China for a non-title contest next month. 

“The fight will be a build up to my title defence,” Semata stated. 

“I have already started training because Muay Thai fighters do not rest for long like those in normal boxing.”

Semata ruled out speculation that he is likely to take on compatriot and crowd puller Moses Golola. He said nobody can match him in the Muay Thai aspect of the sport in Uganda. 

Semata has other plans for the sport. 

“I have the task of building a strong foundation for kickboxing in the country by putting in place proper gyms,” he stated.