And Golola fans....

By Julius Senyimba

Today
National kickboxing title fight

Titus Tugume v Malik Kaliisa

VIP: sh50,000
Silver: sh20,000
Ordinary: sh10,000

Today’s kickboxing fight between Titus Tugume and Malik Kaliisa may not be all about winning the national title, but also restoring confi dence among the fans that Uganda actually has the talent.

Most fans were disappointed two weeks ago when Ugandan Moses Golola ‘went on leave’ in his international fi ght against Hungarian Mate Zsamboki at Kyadondo ground.

But at least the motor-mouthed Golola has done a service to the sport: he has marketed it. Therefore today’s rematch between ‘Hitman’ Kaliisa and ‘Hard Rock’ at Lugogo’s MTN Arena is likely to attract crowds.

Anyone who watched the two in their first encounter last year will, with no doubt, place their bet on Tugume but his opponent is not taking things lightly either.

Kaliisa appointed Hungarian coach Istvan Rozman to polish him ahead of the fight. Rozman was trainer for Golola’s tormentors, Hungarians Andras Nagy and Zsamboki and he will be at the Ugandan’s ring side at today’s fight.

“With a foreign coach I am seeing my revenge close enough. He has given me all the necessary skills and I have mastered them,” Kaliisa stated with confi dence.

When information about Kaliisa’s preparatins leaked, panic gripped Tugume’s camp and the defending champion has confessed it will be a real challenge, though he remained confi dent.

“He (Rozman) is a good coach but I am very sure and prepared to batter Kaliisa, and he also knows that,” Tugume said.