Ring of fire as Kiwanuka meets Dube

Deontay Wilder has given Shafi k Kiwanuka a few lessons on how to handle Zimbabwean Thamsanqa Dube this evening.

"After watching Wilder destroy Cuban Luis Ortiz I realized exactly what to do against Dube," said Kiwanuka 2(2)0-0 on the eve of the fight for the vacant World Boxing Federation (Africa) heavyweight title fight.

Wilder on Saturday night let Ortiz do all the work as the American kept him at bay with his long reach. Then when Ortiz seemed to get excited with some on target punches in the seventh round, Wilder unleashed the killer shot that sent out the Cuban.

Kiwanuka, who has taken on the nickname "Killing Machine" for his knock-out record, believes he can do the same. But if weight is anything to go by, then Dube could have won the first round at the weighing.

He tipped the scales at 115 kilograms, more than 12kgs heavier than the homeboy. Kiwanuka's only consolation was in the height. While he stands at 6ft 6in, Dube measures 6ft 2in. Dube used the weighing ceremony to send out a warning. "Come in big numbers and see the real champion."

"Dube will become the Killing Machine and Kiwanuka will be on the run," stated Dube's manager Gabriel Moyo. Dube, 37 boasts of a 15(12) 3-0 record that last had him fighting in 2011. Moyo explained that his fighter's inactivity wasn't by choice.

"After winning the WBA Pan Africa title, he had three more fights, but fighters have thereafter not been forthcoming in Southern Africa.

That is why we are venturing in Eastern Africa." World Boxing President Howard Goldberg yesterday advised the fighters to put up a clean show. "Whoever wins must inspire youngsters in the respective countries," said Goldberg at the IUEA campus in Kansanga.

"This is a professional sport and I expect both fighters to have a great fight and keep it professional," Goldberg said the winner has six months to defend the title, meaning whoever wins will have to defend it by May 30, 2020.