By Martin Kaddu
Sadat Kilwana and Lawrence Kayiwa will fight each other for the first time this Saturday night, June 3, 2023 at the Lugogo Arena but their rivalry has started way before action.
Kilwana, who upgraded from youth to elite category, faces pre-match favorite Lawrence Kayiwa in the 5-rounds light heavy main fight as the Uganda boxing federation Champions league returns with week three of the competition.
There was a hot verbal exchange this Friday morning and the two boxers almost exchanged punches during the weigh-in and medical checkup of the Uganda boxing federation champions league.
“I was pissed off when that little boy sounded to undermine my work. I have worked for this status and he cannot just come and sweep my success under the carpet,” Kayiwa, who always makes his way to the ring chained, told NBS Sport TV.
Kayiwa finished the inaugural season as number two behind Idris Mukiibi while Kilwana topped his youth category before switching to elite where he is destined to challenge the big bulls in the weight category.
“I watched them fight last season and I know their weaknesses. Most work on power and that cannot work against a technical boxer like me,” he noted.
Over 15 bouts are lined up on the card with this Sting energy drink sponsored championship broadcast live on NBS Sport.
Days after his court release on bail, Uganda boxing federation president Moses Muhangi has announced his presence at the third outing.
Muhangi was released on a Shs2m cash bail and Shs4m non cash for his four sureties after two weeks of remand in Luzira prison over allegations of forgery.
He insists that these are crafted cases to silence him, having been vocal about how money to the sports sector is distributed.
National council of sports closes boxing offices
Meanwhile, the Uganda boxing federation (UBF) offices remain closed by the National council of sports (NCS) over rent arrears.
According to reliable sources from both entities who preferred anonymity, the arrears go as many as 20 months.
Muhangi says that all the equipment used in the Champions league is locked inside and if the offices stay closed, tomorrow’s activity will be affected.
“The documents, boxers’ uniforms, gloves and other equipment for boxers are locked inside the office. Alternatively, NCS is at liberty to deduct whatever funds they would like to extend to UBF,” he says. Muhangi adds that if NCS had released the boxing due funds, they would have paid rent arrears.
