Boxer Kakembo blames loss on 'fufu'

After his spectacular victory over Nigeria's Waidi 'Skoro' Usman in December, Ugandan boxer Edward Kakembo caused quite a stir when he landed in Accra, Ghana while wielding chains.

The Uganda prize fighter promised Ghana boxing fans that he was going to tame homeboy Isaac Dogboe as his pet.

But that was not to be. Kakembo was stopped in the 6th of scheduled 10-round in the WBO African featherweight title fight at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

Dogboe (14-0, 8 KOs) dominated the fight from the gong. Kakembo (11-1, 3 KOs) was even forced into a public count in the third round.

The Ugandan has, however, blamed Ghana's famed traditional dish ‘Fufu' for causing stomach problems which he attributed to the loss.

"He got the advantage because I fell sick. I was weak because I developed a running stomach and vomiting. The problem could have been that bad food called Fufu."

"The foot (a mixer of mashed yams, or cassava and maize) was bad. It tasted like some malwa. As soon as I tested it I had problems. I was actually considering pulling out but as a fighter, I had to fight," explained the boxer on return from Accra.

The result was a major setback for Kakembo who gained prominence after beating to win the to the African Boxing Union (ABU) featherweight title in Lagos in December.

Kakembo who wowed Ghanian boxing fans as he landed in Accra with his spectacular ABU victory still fresh in the air in West Africa, Kakembo was accorded a grad welcome. Soon after arrival he was accorded an opportunity to meet former Ghana President Jerry Rawlings.