For the first time Uganda will be represented by two pro boxers in the Olympic qualifiers
Uganda Boxing Federation President Moses Muhangi is already preparing to uncork his champagne bottle expecting all the three Ugandan boxers in Bangkok to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
For the first time in the qualifiers, Uganda is being represented by two professional boxers, one is foreign-based and one campaigning from home.
The crack team of three boxers comprises pro boxer light-middleweight Muzamir Kakande (Germany), super-heavyweight Regarn Simbwa (Australia) and pro boxer light-heavyweight Shadir Bwogi who’s plying his trade from Uganda’s capital city, Kampala.
With such a solid team, and taking into account most of the top boxers have booked their Paris tickets, Uganda’s federation boss Muhangi cannot wait to celebrate the first Ugandan qualifiers to the Paris Olympics.
“This is the easiest Olympic qualifier, and we expect all our boxers to qualify as should be the case for all other African boxers,” said Muhangi in a statement to AFBC Communications.
Why does Muhangi feel the Bangkok qulifiers will be a walk in the park for African boxers?
“Most of the very best of the world boxers have already qualified for the Olympics through the continental and first world qualifiers in Italy,” said Muhangi who has made it clear he’s now the head of both pro and and amateur boxing in Uganda.
Muhangi’s anxiety is understandable. It’s now 44 years since Uganda last won a medal in the Olympic Games, a silver from Brisbane-based welterweight John “The Beast” Mugabi. It was Uganda’s fourth boxing medal in the Olympics. In addition to Mugabi’s silver, other Ugandan boxers who have won medals in the Olympic Games are flyweight Leo Rwabogo (one bronze and silver) and Eridadi Mukwanga (bronze).
The UBF President can now heave a sigh of relief the ailing patient in bed that is Uganda boxing can open the eyes and feed without assistance but the patient still remains in bed, just like neighbours Kenya whose patient has also began opening the eyes and feeding without assistance.
“The ailing patient is no longer in a coma,” said an excited Muhangi wishing quick recovery to the bed-ridden patient.
Some inspiring results in the Africa Championships and African Games by Ugandan boxers has given Uganda boxing a glimmer of hope but there’s still a long way to go for Uganda to reclaim it’s glorious past in the ring.
One medication which Muhangi hopes will help in the quick recovery of the ailing patient in bed is the merger of pro and amateur boxing in Uganda.
“Uganda boxing is now under one administration, both amateur and professional boxing as per the by-law enacted in 2023,” said Muhangi.
“It’s the duty of us leaders at Uganda Boxing Federation to start offering olive branches to all boxers be it amateur or pro boxing.
“Of course we have some individuals who are still resisting the new law that manages sport in Uganda but they will not succeed. I would also like to make it clear that the Uganda team to the qualifiers in Bangkok was selected by the Uganda Boxing Federation and that’s our preserve as a federation.”
AFBC Communications