Ouma at home on pro circuit

Oct 05, 2004

KASSIM Ouma’s fast rise to glory probably has something to do with his corner being professionally handled by a fellow Ugandan

By James Bakama
and Phillip Corry

KASSIM Ouma’s fast rise to glory probably has something to do with his corner being professionally handled by a fellow Ugandan, and a team of former world champions.

Always at hand to give Ouma’s trainers Tim Witherspoon and Johnny Bumphus (both former title holders) a hand, is former Africa Games champion Fred Muteweta.

Muteweta, who started coaching after a brief professional stint, is in Ouma’s corner.
“He is doing a very good job together with Tim and Johnny,” said Ouma.

Outside the ring, Ouma can also count on the company of boxers Robert Kamya and James Lubwama. The two live in Palm Springs, Florida where Ouma is based.

There was also a strong Ugandan presence at ringside. Boza Edwards, Justin Juuko and Joseph Kiwanuka were in the crowd to watch Ouma snatch the IBF light middleweight title from American Verno Phillips on Saturday.

But while Ouma always has someone with whom to share a childhood joke, that was not the case with John “The Beast” Mugabi.

Mugabi, who was also based in Florida when he won the WBC light middleweight title, would feel homesick and would dash back to Uganda at almost every opportunity to party with friends.

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