Uganda boxer goes pro in the Netherlands

Former national boxer Willy Kyakonye has joined professional ranks in the Netherlands.

The heavyweight was among the top crop of five Ugandan boxers who vanished from camp in Holland ahead of the last Rio 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers in Azerbaijan.

Kyakony who was the first Ugandan boxer to join the World Boxing Series (WBS) in Venezuela last year also confirmed that he has decided to opt out of the semi-profession ranks.

"I am now a professional boxer and I have already got a new manager. I am not in APB any more. I need to concentrate on professional boxing," he said.

"Life is good. I have already starting serious training as build up for a new career," Kyakony added.

Commonwealth light flyweight bronze medalist Fazil Juma Kaggwa who featured in the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) circuit in China is the other high profile boxer who vanished alongside Kyakony in Holland.

Others are Atanus Mugerwa (bantamweight, Sula Segawa (lightweight), and welterweight Nasser Bukenya.

On the condition of his other compatriots in Netherlands, Kyakony said, "They are all OK." He did not delve much, however.

The disappearance of the five Ugandan boxers leaves Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) a huge task of rebuilding a new team.

Only two Ugandan boxers Ronald Serugo and light heavyweight Katende qualified for Rio Games during the Africa Qualification Event in Cameroon in March.