Biting a Little Too Much: Hey! Boxer Musa Bwogi is Hardworking but with disguised, Fake, Money Minting Promoters

The story is of a man who has, is, and continues to put his face and body bare in the boxing ring, receiving punches from opponents. Yet, the men seated right by the ring sides mint, munch and retire away with wide smiles blossoming on fat cheque – disguising to be promoters. With their counsel that the boxer would earn big, bigger, the 12 Sports Rounds promoters (12SRP) signed pugilist Shadir Musa Bwogi on a 24 months’ contract aka two years’ marriage.

Bound by the said contract, in October 15^th this year, Uganda’s 2021 Olympiad, Bwogi, will enter the ring in a respective third time this year, just barely months after he officially announced crossing from Amateur to professional boxing. As he crossed, Bwogi put to bare all things that forced his turning professional. Chief among others was the countless vendettas with his bosses at the amateur office – the Uganda Boxing federation (UBF).

Him and another David Ssemuju crossed to the paid ranks landing in the hands of the sugar-coated, we don’t what to mention, ‘FAKE’ promoters whose intension for them was and continues to be money exploits. First forward, Bwogi’s first assignment as promoted by 12 Sports Rounds was a quick maiden professional engagement on 1^st April at the Philp Omondi Stadium in Lugogo. He was to meet Herbert Mugarura with his other Crosser, David Ssemuju taking on Hamza Latino on the fools’ day.

The fighters` target, is true to make Uganda’s professional boxing active again, likened to the days of Nyakana’s, Juuko’s and others. But the same reason landed the boxers in the wrong hands of their so-called promoters. Having signed a two-year deal with promotion company Twelve Sports Rounds, the welterweight fighter says the deal he was offered met his requirements. The biggest section of the supporters however, argue otherwise.

Twelve Sports Rounds is a newborn company under the stewardship of Stephen Ssembuya Magulu. So, the fight wasn’t a Fools’ Day talk. It happened with Bwogi, 25, taking on to the ring with the opponent he knew since the amateur days and easily took the day to record his maiden paid ranks victory. Such victory made a big statement for the fighter who had just crossed from amateur to paid ranks. It did as well announce the arrival and declaration of a promoter little known in the Country then. As greedy as the letters themselves, the promoters announced a second fight that would later be held on 23^rd July 2022.

It was a bout against Kasujja Henry. As planned, the fight came to pass on the 23^rd date night of July. This time the fight produced some drama, action and tension. Much more than the one he had against Mugarura. Bwogi, the knife sharp thing as his name suggests, returned to the MTN Arena-Lugogo after nearly three years since he last fought here with triumph. And, the promoter cashed-in. In fact, Bwogi has suffered punches, but those are his contractual obligations – suffer the punches. The promoter receives the dimes in exchange.

Deservedly, Bwogi won by majority decision: 65-55, 57-57 and 60-54 and the promoter announced again, in another such materialistic tone, a third bout. As expected, after fight two win, Bwogi is fighting a third opponent in October. This time around, he expects the challenger from the wider Africa writing on his tweeter handle; “Third coming B.W.O.G.I UNTOLD, 15TH OCTOBER, before also confirming “Lugogo MTN Arena” as the venue for the fight.

Well, it’s fine. Bwogi is building a career to feed on in future so we don’t want to spell out how long do fighters wait between fights. In certain cases, the fighter must wait a minimum of 45 days to re-enter the ring. And if they experience a facial cut, the minimum medical suspension starts at 60 days. Mayweather had about 2-3 fights a year. Bwogi is going for his third this year so that is comfortable, anyway. However, these fights by 12 rounds promoters are sort of giving wins for the boxer as they (promoters) try to build up a set of other wins that are purely financial. Let promote not to break but make a career that is convenient, honest, comfortable and awarding for the fighter to prepare his future ahead. Folks, I hope I am clear!

Author Profile

Daniels N Tatya: Mr. Daniels N. Tatya is an affluent Sports Writer, Commentator and Editor. His over 15 years of covering almost major sporting events makes him a revered and an authority on investigative Sports journalism in Uganda. He can also be reached via [email protected] +256(0)758268315