'I will cut him down'

By Phillip Corry "I will chop him like a tree and knock him out" Justin Juuko told his fans at the weigh-in for tonight's fight against Kenyan opponent Charles Owiso. "He talks too much, he doesn't know that he is fighting against a former African champion. I will try my best to silence him infront of his own fans," Owiso (13-7-1-2-3) responded. With this tough talk, and the weigh-in showing both boxers were virtually the same shape, the stage is set for " The Destroyer returns" fight today. Juuko and Owiso both weighed in at 61 kilograms at Nakivubo stadium yesterday. The fight will be more significant to US-based fighter Juuko (41-35-1-draw-5-27) because he will be stepping into the ring for his debut fight in the lightweight division. Initially Juuko was supposed to fight Geoffrey Munika who apparently withdrew with a hand injury and was in a surprise move replaced by Owiso by the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission. Juuko's attempt to get the IBF junior lightweight championship title failed early this year, after Steve Forbes of the USA withdrew from his fight and was replaced by little known Ernesto Zepeda of Mexico who stunned Juuko knocking him out. Owiso on his part has seen it all, and last year he beat Moses Sentamu "The Cat" to claim the Africa Lightweight belt in the Millennium Explosion fight After the fight there will be a music show by Kads Band, Paul Kafeero, Stones Band and Bebe Kool. Bell Lager beer will be sold at sh1000. Gates open at 2.00 p.m. with the first fight rolling off at 5.00p.m. and the main event at 8.00p.m. The undercard fights will see Francis Kiwanuka "Machoman" against Kenya's George Owenge in a junior lightweight contest. Mike Kizza faces China Kasumba. Ends