Ugandan boxer wins continental title

Dec 31, 2015

“I am happy to have won on Christmas as Jesus was born," says Edward Kakembo.

Ugandan professional boxer Edward Kakembo a.k.a Messiah has returned home with the African Boxing Union title.

__________________________________


He has also called on promoters to help solicit funds to enable him defend the accolade within the stipulated six months.

Kakembo beat Usman Waidi Skoro of Nigeria on points in a 12-round continental featherweight title in Lagos on Christmas Day.

He was a replacement for Kenyan Francis Kimani who withdrew from the fight at the last minute due to injury.

"I am happy to have won on Christmas as Jesus was born. It means I also have a new title born to me to start the New Year and I just want to defend once and challenge the WBC Intercontinental title," he said upon his return from Nigeria.

"It was a great job as I was alone in Nigeria. My manager was denied a visa to Nigeria and I had to go with Kenyan Coach Karim Otim.

"I fought the guy to convince all the judges and fans who turned to my side and there was no way one would change the verdict that looked a 60-40 in my favor," said the excited boxer as he handed over the continental title to his elderly mother, Getu Namukasa, at Kasubi in the outskirts of Kampala.

A mother of five, Namukasa thanked God for the ‘gift' and thanked all who supported Kakembo to realize his achievement.

 "Little did I know he would become such. It's good I did not bar him from the sport though I first feared he would get spoiled," she admitted.

Kakembo's triumph in Lagos meant that he has had 10 fights unbeaten since 2013 - a time he turned professional.

He has also expressed anxiety to meet President Yoweri Museveni to hand over the continental accolade as is the recent norm with other sportsmen.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});