Rasckara Paul, also known as the “Mad Boxer,” has become a notable figure in the Uganda Boxing Champions League as the 63kg champion. In an interview with NBS Sport, Paul shared the deeply moving experiences that led him to take up boxing.
Paul’s story begins in the village of Kitgum, where his childhood was marked by significant hardships. Reflecting on these difficult times, Paul recounted:
“What inspired me? Most people have stories about different boxers, but for me, it was different. I grew up in the village because I was born there. My father had brothers, and their older children used to visit us. Sometimes, they would come home when my mother hadn’t prepared food yet because we had just returned from the garden. These older boys would beat my mother in front of us when she told them there was no food. I grew up with that pain in my heart and told myself that one day, I would get those boys. I wanted to be strong enough to protect my mother because, as a child, all I could do was cry. That pain inspired me to join boxing.”
Inspired by iconic boxers like Sugar Ray and Emanuel Augustus, Paul found solace and strength in the sport. His first encounter in the ring, however, was a humbling experience. Paul reminisced about his first fight in the city at East Coast Boxing Club:
“We were at East Coast Boxing Club. When I left my village, I was the best. We used to fight often. But when I came to the city, I trained a bit and went for my first fight. I lost to Poison, who beat me up badly. That was my first loss, but it didn’t shake my faith. I was doing it for my mother and for my father, who never defended her, only blamed her. At one point, I lost hope and stopped training for two weeks. But the pain in my heart pushed me to go back.”
Despite the initial setback, Paul’s determination remained unshaken. Known for his representation of Acholi culture through his dress and the songs his team sings when he wins, Paul has faced significant challenges, even from his own community. He shared the difficulties he encounters living in the Nagulu slums:
“In the Naguru slums where I live, I sometimes drive around selling tickets for my fights. Our area is filled with people from Northern Uganda. I always have impressive ring walks, representing my culture, and I speak my language during interviews to show that I am a true Acholi. But when I lose fights, instead of supporting me, some of my own people say, ‘It’s good he was beaten, he shows off too much.'”
These harsh words from his community have deeply affected Paul, but they have not deterred him. Despite the lack of support and the painful memories of his childhood, Paul continues to fight. His journey is a testament to resilience and the power of personal pain in fueling a relentless pursuit of strength and justice. Paul remains driven by the promise he made to himself to never let anyone hurt his loved ones again.
