BOXING: Uganda’s Kiwanuka Eager to Topple Egyptian Abdallah Sammy

UBC Intercontinental Championship Fight

Date: Friday 29th May 2020 

Main Bout: Shafiq Kiwanuka (Uganda) Vs Abdallah Sammy (Egypt)

Venue: IUEA Auditorium

Charges: (Ordinary) 20,000/=, (VIP) 50,000/=, (VVIP) 100,000/= & 500,000 (Table)

Great Strikers International, a professional Boxing promotions company on Thursday launched its 4th fight that will see World Boxing Federation (WBF), Africa Heavyweight Champion Shafik Kiwanuka return to the ring.

Kiwanuka commonly dubbed as the “Killing Machine” will get back into action on the 29th of May, 2020 at the International University of East Africa (IUEA) Auditorium.

Kiwanuka, a student of the University, will take on Egyptian Abdallah Sammy for the vacant Universal Boxing Council Intercontinental title fight.

This will be Kiwanuka’s 4th fight in the paid ranks after first round knock outs against Kenyan David Kamara and Tyson Mbikayi from Democratic Republic of Congo.

While speaking to the media, Kiwanuka, a man of few words but full of actions felt optimistic about challenging the Egyptian and anticipates nothing but victory.

“For a long time now, I have prepared well for this fight, my opponent has a great record but I am not scared. I’m in good shape and ready to rumble therefore call upon my fellow Ugandans to come and support me as I raise our country’s flag.

Heavyweight boxer Shafik “Killing Machine” Kiwanuka addressing the Fourth estate

Managed by a professional boxing promotions company, Great Strikers International, Kiwanuka managed to defeat Zimbabwean Thamsang Dube in a 10-round contest last November at the same venue to claim the World Boxing Federation Africa Title belt.

Kiwanuka’s fourth opponent Sammy is quite an experienced fighter with five fights, (4 wins and 1 draw) making him undefeated.

The Great Strikers International Chairman Sam Buchanan was certainly not oblivious about the costs involved in the match, during the launching of the fight.

“It’s exactly 102 days left to the day and about 300 million Ugandan shillings is needed to have this fight staged as indicated in our budget proposal. We therefore call upon Government, Corporate Companies and boxing loving individuals to come on board as we strive to enable Kiwanuka realize his dreams of becoming a world champion.”

“We thank the International University of East Africa for sponsoring the previous fights and currently are our main sponsors of this upcoming fight having cleared the sanction and title belts fees,” Buchanan added.

Great strikers international chairman Sam Buchanan giving his speech

Before the main fight, there will be another must watch fight between UPDF sergeant, Aldina Muzeey and another Egyptian, Ahmed Thibet Maher in the much anticipated Africa Super Featherweight title contest.

The sergeant told Chimp Reports that he is relying on his God given talent to challenge Ahmed Thibet.

“I’m very ready to fight the Egyptian. I thank God that I’m talented and strong enough to face the Egyptian, I’m very sure I will beat him and I call upon everyone to come and witness me as I down my counterpart. It’s not the first time to fight Egyptian,”

Sgt. Aldina is a featherweight champion who once represented Uganda in the 2015 African Military Boxing championships in Tunisia. He also took part in the 2018 All Africa Olympic Qualifiers in Namibia and won bronze for team Uganda.

There will be more curtain raising fights that are yet to be lined up as undercard fights and will be confirmed in the next media briefings.

Howard Goldberg, the World Boxing Federation president, supervised the previous fight held at Kansanga but this time the Universal Boxing Council (North Carolina – USA) has already appointed its regional coordinator, Anthony Mwamba to supervise the 12-round contest.

The entire arrangement is organized by Great Strikers International and the International University of East Africa.