Richard Kasujja emerged victorious with a hard-fought 5-0 win against Edward Mukwaya in the 67kg welterweight division on Week Eight of the Uganda Boxing Champions League (UBCL) at Club Obligato on Saturday night.
Kasujja, now in his third season of the league, demonstrated his resilience, experience and prowess in the ring.
The fully-packed venue erupted as he launched a barrage of swift combinations in the opening round, setting the tone for what would be a gruelling contest.
The match though, was a battle of wills, with both fighters showing remarkable endurance.
Mukwaya, who has garnered a reputation for his resilience since a controversial loss to Ukasha Matovu in June, fought back valiantly despite sustaining a cut above his left eye that required a doctor’s attention.
His unorthodox ‘drunken master’ style, characterised by erratic trunk movements, made him a tricky target.
However, his defense faltered, leaving him vulnerable to Kasujja’s relentless attacks. Kasujja, though dominant, also left gaps in his defense, particularly by neglecting to use his reach advantage effectively.
As the fight progressed, the intensity only grew. The third round saw the referee step in to count for Kasujja after a powerful retaliation from Mukwaya.
The fourth round was marked by a fierce exchange, with both fighters trading heavy blows and the referee counting for Mukwaya.
Despite this, Kasujja maintained his composure, finishing the bout strong in the final round, landing solid shots that secured his unanimous decision victory.
While the 5-0 scoreline might suggest an easy win, it belies the toughness of the encounter, and the resilience of Kasujja.
Kasujja’s performance was a testament to his growing stature in the UBCL, and his post-fight gratitude to his mother, coaches and supporters underscored the significance of their support in his journey.
Earlier in the evening, Ibrahim Kemisi celebrated a resounding 5-0 victory over Ashraf Yiga in the 57kg Elites category.
The win extended Kemisi’s unbeaten streak since the inception of the league, much to the delight of his fans.
One such supporter, Ssuuna Kalema from Kibuli, was awarded the Fan of the Week title, earning free access to the remaining matches of Season Three.
The night also saw notable performances from other boxers: Julius Kaddu edged out Brian Sekyejwe 4-3 in the 60kg Elites bout, Alfred Ojok claimed a 5-0 win over John Semugayir in the 75kg Elites, and Mahad Mutwalib dominated Thomas Kakooza 5-0 in the Juniors 46kg category.
In the Youth division, Aziz Senyange secured a 5-0 victory against Jonah Sekamate in the 48kg bout, while Angel Katushabe defeated Christine Nabanja by RSC in the first round of the 52kg Youth category.
