Asiku third to win Commonwealth title
Nov 21, 2005
JACKSON Asiku is the third Ugandan prize fighter to win a Commonwealth title,
JACKSON Asiku is the third Ugandan prize fighter to win a Commonwealth title, writes James Bakama.
Asiku, who knocked out Briton Marc Callaghan in the first round on Friday to become featherweight champion, joined Ayub Kalule and Justin Juuko on the Commonwealth champions list.
In 1978 Kalule became the first Ugandan to win the title when he beat Al Korovou via a technical knock out with three minutes left of a 15 round contest in Copenhagen.
The Copenhagen-based Ugandan that same year outwitted Japan’s Masashi Kudo to win the WBA light middle title in Akita, Japan.
Juuko followed Kalule’s footsteps on September 30 1995 by beating Tony Pep. He defended the title three times beating Jackie Gunguluza, Gary Thornhill and David Ouma.
Badru Lusambya, who takes on a Mexican Omar Vazquez on Saturday at Nakivubo, is expected to be the next Ugandan with the Commonwealth honours early next year.
Ugandan boxers have been more successful in the amateur version of the Commonwealth. The Bombers best moment in the competition was at the 1970 Edinburgh games. Uganda emerged overall champion.
Juuko is the only Ugandan to have won both the amateur and professional version of the competition. Juuko together with Godfrey Nyakana struck gold in the 1990 amateur edition in Auckland.
Asiku, as an amateur, won a Commonwealth bronze in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998. In June Asiku beat Zambia’s Saulos Kaunda at Nakivubo. He is now eyeing bigger titles — WBC, WBA and IBF.
Kalule, Boza Edwards, John Mugabi and Kassim Ouma emerged champions at this level.
Asiku, who knocked out Briton Marc Callaghan in the first round on Friday to become featherweight champion, joined Ayub Kalule and Justin Juuko on the Commonwealth champions list.
In 1978 Kalule became the first Ugandan to win the title when he beat Al Korovou via a technical knock out with three minutes left of a 15 round contest in Copenhagen.
The Copenhagen-based Ugandan that same year outwitted Japan’s Masashi Kudo to win the WBA light middle title in Akita, Japan.
Juuko followed Kalule’s footsteps on September 30 1995 by beating Tony Pep. He defended the title three times beating Jackie Gunguluza, Gary Thornhill and David Ouma.
Badru Lusambya, who takes on a Mexican Omar Vazquez on Saturday at Nakivubo, is expected to be the next Ugandan with the Commonwealth honours early next year.
Ugandan boxers have been more successful in the amateur version of the Commonwealth. The Bombers best moment in the competition was at the 1970 Edinburgh games. Uganda emerged overall champion.
Juuko is the only Ugandan to have won both the amateur and professional version of the competition. Juuko together with Godfrey Nyakana struck gold in the 1990 amateur edition in Auckland.
Asiku, as an amateur, won a Commonwealth bronze in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998. In June Asiku beat Zambia’s Saulos Kaunda at Nakivubo. He is now eyeing bigger titles — WBC, WBA and IBF.
Kalule, Boza Edwards, John Mugabi and Kassim Ouma emerged champions at this level.