Having announced entry into professional boxing late last year, Shafik ‘killing machine’ Kiwanuka’s moment of truth is this Friday as he takes on Kenyan opponent David Kamara at MTN Arena, Lugogo.
The six-rounds none title heavy weight bout (Live on Urban TV) will be Kiwanuka’s debut professional fight as well as his opponent. The boxers are in the same size and height (tall) with Kiwanuka weighing 80.2kgs on Thursday whilst Kamara weighed 80.1kgs.
Kamara came in at last minute to replace experienced fellow citizen Obadiah Mwangi, who organisers reported to have failed medical tests. “Obadiah failed medical tests with high blood pressure and so we changed opponent,” confirmed Emanuel Mwesigwa, a director at big Striker International Company –which the promotion company behind the Friday fight night. Despite the late change of opponent, Kiwanuka, who is in the hands of Coach Abdul Tebazalwa, remains buoyant for a knockout. “It is good one of my sponsors, Executive funeral services had good coffins. I am going to beat and bury him,” noted Kiwanuka “I am in shape and ready for the fight. I thank my coach Abdul Tebazalwa and the Big Strikers International for proper management,” he added. Kiwanuka’s move to professional boxing ranks was sparked his controversial miss out on last year’s (2018) Commonwealth games in Australia before he was early this year signed by Big Strikers International for five years in a deal worth Shs20m per year –which totals to Shs100m. The towering 23-year old pugilist won 16 of his amateur fights and lost four. He won a heavy weight gold medal last year from the East African games in Burundi but lost at the opening stage in the African boxing championship. He also held the intermediate gold medal before he turned professional last year. According to Big Strikers international chairman Sam Buchanan, the fight will go for Shs10000 and the security is secure. “We have a number of under cards and we shall start on time. Everything is in place,” he said. Uganda professional boxing commission (UPBC) President Salim Uhuru warned the promoters (organisers) against time. “I will order my officials to depart the moment the fights get late. We need to keep and value people who pay to watch the fights,” noted Uhuru. In the non title under cards, Hudson Muhumuza takes on Ignatius Onyango in the heavy weight, Robert Kamya is up against Charles Kakande in middle weight, Latib Muwonge takes on Kenneth Kawunde in Super Light, Abdul Sebutte fights (UPDF) fights Joel Kalenzi in Super Feather, Jamil Abdullah battles Dickson Openy while Mohammed Ssekimpi faces Deogratius Kinyera in Light Weight.
