Realizing things won’t work out the magic and pomp he desires to behold, Uganda Boxing Federation`s Moses Muhangi and promoters of Top Boy Promotions go into a weekend’s break of no action in the ring.
Their only action will be in the boardroom, but working away of incorporating all boxers who had by deadline day not signed contracts with the federation to feature into the first ever Uganda Boxing Champions’ League (UBCL) in the country.
“This weekend we break and we are including boxers who had not signed contracts with the federation. Through Uganda Boxing Champions League, we want to make Boxing Great Again but not to create divisionism,” revealed a source that declined to be mentioned.
This means that Muhangi’s UBF has finally walked back on non-contracted fighters and could be seen fighting when the bouts return in the weeks’ time from break.
The inaugural Boxing Champions League got underway on Saturday, December 4 at Indoor Arena in Lugogo with eight of the ten bouts on card successful on the weekend.
The return to normal state of boxing affairs of the Champions league follows weeks of back and forth, accusations and counter accusations amongst the Boxers, Federation and other stakeholders as they tried to harmonize the sport.
All boxers who qualified through from the National Trials were required to sign Contracts in order to take part in the Boxing Champions League. However, Some Boxers including the three Tokyo Olympians Shadir Musa Bwogi, Catherine Nanziri and David Ssemujju, protested the developments.
Juma Miiro, Isaac Masembe, Mathias Kyeyune, Emmanuel Odokonyero, Habib Mambo, Shakira Nantongo, Sharlom Nabukenya, Rosette Nakigudde Mirembe, Jesca Nakiridde Deborah, Latifah Nakaweesi, Uthman Aisha, Stanley Mugerwa, Joshua Male and Isaac Ssebuufu are the other boxers that did not comply.
These Boxers expressed their discontent with some of the clauses in the Contracts in terms of Commercial Value, Longevity among others. They went on to petition Uganda Olympic Committee and National Council of Sports to intervene into their matter, and later wrote to UBF.
The Uganda Professional Boxing Commission last week also joined in with a petition to Government over the sanction of the UBF. After matters escalated, a meeting was held on Friday night chaired by State Minister for Sports Hon Hamson Obua, the same attended by UBF President Moses Muhangi, UPBC President Salim Uhuru and NCS officials and an agreement was reached.
“For the good of Boxing, we have decided to extend an Olive branch to the said Boxers and we shall therefore include them in the matches of the Champions League,” reads a letter from UBF President Moses Muhangi.
“The Technical Committee will make the necessary preparations and inform the Boxers when their games will be due. We have already written to the Boxers and requested them to attend a meeting with the UBF Executive next week on Wednesday. The said meeting will be used to explain more to the Boxers the issues around the Champions League.”
Despite being allowed to take part in the competition, the Federation will not use their names, images and other rights because they refused to sign the contracts. Muhangi adds: “UBF will also not be in position to extend any 3rd party benefits to the said Boxers due to absence of any contractual obligations or commitments over the same.”
The Boxers will however be able to benefit from any support, facilitation or other assistance advanced to UBF by other partners such as NCS and UOC. After a week break, the bouts return on December 18.
Week 1 #UBCL results:
(Light Heavy weight)
Kayiwa Lawrence wins by KO against Lubega Medi
(Middle weight)
Okello Ronald wins by KO against Yiga Rashid
(Light Middle)
Kasujja Richard wins by plit decision against Semuddu Muzamir
(Light Welter)
Kibira Owen wins by unanimous decision against Nvule Umar
(Feather weight)
Kyone Jonah wins by split point decision against Ssali Marvin
(Bantam weight)
Mugerwa Fulje wins by split point decision against Kasozi Patrick
(Fly weight)
Ochan Geofrey wins by split point decision against Senoga Stuart
(Minimum Weight 48kgs)
Kalema Joseph wins by Unanimous Decision 5:0 against Lumbuye Gilbert
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