Uganda to host 3rd biggest heavyweight fight on the continent

Uganda will next year host one of the biggest heavyweight boxing fights when Shafic Kiwanuka ‘killing machine' takes on US's Oliver McCall at "Atomic Bull" at Kololo Airstrip on April 2.

The fight will be the third biggest heavyweight contest on the continent following the Muhammad Ali versus George Foreman clash in Zaire in 1974 and the Lennox Lewis versus Nassim Rahama in South Africa in 2017.

Kiwanuka will be up against one of the greatest heavyweights in boxing history whose records stands at 74-58-37KO-14losses to Kiwanuka's 3 professional fights.

McCall, 55, a veteran of the sport for over three decades is best remembered for having registered an upset knockout victory over Lennox Lewis to win the WBC heavyweight title in 1994.

The fight was launched at the Green Lounge in Muyenga on Tuesday where promoters, Great Strikers Chairman Sam Buchanan received the fight's belt from Kiwanuka's sponsors International University of East Africa (IUEA).

According to Buchanan, the fight will have the two fighters vying for the Universal Boxing Council (UBC) belt but most importantly, it is intended for marketing and building the Kiwanuka profile as he gains experience for the competition that waits ahead.

IUEA Marketing Manager, Les Brown Okalebo presented the belt to Buchanan at the press conference also attended by the US Embassy Defense Attache Nicholaus Heath SR who wished both fighters the best during the preparations and the fight.

"We launch today and the reason we have opted for Kololo is to ensure social distancing during the event in conformity with the coronavirus guidelines," Buchanan told the press.

Okalebo said IUEA continues to support Kiwanuka because has continued to hoist both the university and the country's flags high and that apart from him they also support other co-curricular activities.

Kiwanuka on his part said he had remained training even during the lockdown and was ready to take on any opponent.

"It's a big opportunity for me and a dream-come-true to be taking on such a fighter. I'm ready to rumble; ‘the blades are sharp', and I see this as a big opportunity that will propel me to even greater duels in the future," Kiwanuka stated.

Kiwanuka ‘killing machine' was supposed to have fought Egyptian Abdallah Sammy in May but the fight like many other sporting events was shaved off because of the rampaging COVID-19 pandemic.

Kiwanuka has only featured in 3 professional fights against Kenyan David Kamara and Congolese Tyson Mbikayi and Zimbabwe's Thamsanqa Dube all won by him including by knockout.