Golola gives up cash, forgives promoter

By Eddie Ssejjoba

Ugandan kick-boxer, Moses Golola has said as a born-again Christian, he had forgiven his promoter, Patrick Kanyomozi and given up his demands for the cash prize and his share of the gate collections.

Appearing on Vision Group's English TV station (Urban) morning show, Arise and Shine Wednesday morning, Golola said he was disgusted with the whole drama after media reports indicated that Kanyomozi would offer him sh4m as his share minus the cash prize of sh30m they had agreed on pre-fight.

Golola was declared winner amid controversy in last Friday's epic fight against Hungarian Naggy Andras.  

Born-again

“I have decided to leave that money to Patrick (Kanyomozi). I’m a born-again man and our religious values teach me to forgive. I was lifting Uganda’s flag and I fell down and rose up again because I was lifting Uganda’s flag,” said the fighter, who in July this year beat Sudanese champion Abdul Qadir Rahim to the vacant 75kg World Kickboxing Federation African title.

“I have now decided to leave that money. Can you imagine Patrick asking me to pick money from the police?” 

He said he would not curse the promoter but wished him well and thanked his supporters for turning up in huge numbers.

Golola remarked he was amazed when Kanyomozi said there were only 2900 fans that had paid to watch the fight and was in total disbelief that he spent sh60m to organize the event.

“I fought for Uganda. I know my fans and born-again Christians will give me money. Let Kanyomozi take the money.”

“In the name of God, I will not beg him or bow down before him. If he was the one who got the punches I received during the fight, would he have walked again?." 

Promoter disappears

The fighter further explained that Kanyomozi had left already when the results were being announced, adding that he [Kanyomozi] has never seen him since the night of the fight.

Golola, who said went to the TV studios jogging, dismissed allegations that he was rough to some reporters who asked him ‘tough’ questions during a previous press briefing.

“Many of you are my fans. I just jokingly show you that I’m tough, not because I want to intimidate you,” he laughed off.

He said he was well and physically fit.

Some callers who wished Golola well asked the organizers to stage the next fight due in April at Nakivubo to allow more people to attend the show.

Others asked him to sharpen his skills, saying though he was stronger than Adras, the opponent displayed better skills.

The characteristically aggressive and 'motor-mouthed' fighter yelled in the studios when a fan called saying he supported him and he [Golola] was the man to watch.

“Yaah, I’m Golola the champion”, he bellowed.

Golola’s manager and elder brother, Evans Mayambala said he was amazed that Kanyomozi was escorted by the police from the gate with all the money as Golola’s camp attended to other issues.