Boxing fans are in for a thrilling treat this Boxing Day as the Uganda Boxing Champions League (UBCL) Season 3 finale unfolds at the UMA Main Hall, Lugogo.
Fresh off the Christmas festivities, the event promises a night packed with intense boxing action, celebrity clashes, and a vibrant showcase of Uganda’s finest boxing talent.
The season finale will be broadcast live on NBS Sport, the channel that has flawlessly delivered the season’s action over the past 16 weeks.
Corporate Showdown: Grenade vs. Rickman
In a headline-grabbing twist, the UBCL finale will feature a corporate boxing showdown as musical rivals Grenade Official and Rickman Manrick settle their long-standing feud in the boxing ring.
The pair’s rivalry, reportedly fueled by connections to media personality Sheilah Gashumba, has played out publicly over the last year.
The drama dates back to December 2023, when Grenade allegedly attacked Rickman during a heated confrontation at La Terraza Club.
The tension between Grenade and Rickman stems from Grenade’s claim that he once dated Sheilah Gashumba, who is Rickman’s ex-girlfriend.
Ahead of their bout, Grenade provocatively stated, “It would be great to see Sheilah Gashumba around as we fight, so that she can take the winner. I wish she could also be the referee for the boxing match.”
Grenade’s remarks have added to the rivalry, while Rickman, now dating Kin Bella, has stated that he aims to “teach Grenade manners” in the fight.
The Grenade-Rickman fight will be the third and final corporate fight of the year, following October’s bout where socialite Shakib Lutaaya defeated veteran media personality JK Kazoora, and the November clash between Ebonies actresses Laura Ndagire and Fauziah Nakiboneka, which ended in a draw.
The Fighters’ Quest for Glory
On the professional front, stakes will be equally high as boxers vie for belts, cash prizes, and the opportunity to maintain their positions in their weight categories for the next season.
In the National Open Light Middleweight (Elite 71 KGs), Owen Kibira of Lukanga Boxing Club will face Kololo High BC’s powerhouse Nerrick Tumusiime.
Kibira, who transitioned from welterweight earlier this year, will look to extend his unbeaten streak. Tumusiime, determined to replicate his early-season form, will aim to exploit any chinks in Kibira’s armor.
The same weight division will see Mutaasa Ashraf take on Serugo Bashir. Mutaasa, a former cricketer who balanced his boxing debut with Senior Six exams, will rely on his recent intense training.
Serugo, a veteran who fought his way back into form this season, will be keen to ride his momentum to victory.
In the welterweight category, an all-COBAP affair will unfold as rising star Nuhu Batte clashes with Bombers captain Matovu Ukasha, alias Ukasha Lee.
Batte, hailed as a future star, will hope to cap his breakthrough season in style, while Ukasha will look to prove his mettle despite controversies surrounding some of his performances.
Fan favorites like Kemis Ibrahim, Adriko Jimmy, and Mukwaya Edward will also enter the ring in bouts that promise to deliver fireworks.
Other highly anticipated bouts include Geko Solomon versus Zikama Sabath (Elite 92+ KGs), Kaddu Julius against Wasswa Ssali (Elite 60 KGs), and Nali Jalia’s clash with Katusabe Angel (Elite 52 KGs).
Najemba Nadia will take on Sauda Muhamed in an Elite 54 KGs fight, while Kugonza Joyce and Ndagire Sharua will face off in the Elite 57 KGs category.
In the Elite 75 KGs, Harold Mukuye will meet Semuganyire John, while Ojok Alfred battles Okello Ronald.
Galiwango Jonah and Aziz Ringo will go head-to-head in the Elite 92 KGs bout, and Mukiibi Idris will challenge Kibirige Arafat in the Elite 86 KGs.
Tickets for the event are priced at UGX 20,000 for ordinary, UGX 50,000 for VIP, UGX 100,000 for VVIP, and UGX 1M or UGX 2M for tables.
