Saturday, July 15 (Club Obligato)
Main bout
*Matovu Ukasha vs Sande Simon – Welterweight
Simon Sande expressed his readiness to upset Matovu Ukasha as the Lucrative Uganda Boxing Champions League return this Saturday at Club Obligato in Kampala.
But Sande will have to punch above weight against Ukasha who beat him twice – 5-0 & 4-1 – in last season’s Champions League.
And it’s strong to note that the fight comes days after Ukasha was summoned on the National team, Bombers, for the upcoming African Boxing Championship in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Sande, the Dancing Lion from Nansana Kyebando Boxing Club, told The-SportsNation during Friday’s face-off: “The fight against Ukasha is just a small matter that I want to finish off.”
“I am annoyed in the first place that Ukasha was put on the National team and I want to put it clear that I am the one who is supposed to issue him with a Visa.
“How on earth was he summoned on the National team before beating me? I want to get the answers during these five rounds on Saturday. Everyone should know that I am the best candidate to compete in Cameroon because I have the style to stop the foreigners and I have the best Guard moves in Uganda without doubt.”
Sande added that he is the king in this Welterweight and had already counted himself on the plane to Cameroon.
“I am going to disprove him and rewrite my name on the National team list. If he can’t beat me on Saturday then why is he going to Cameroon? I should be the one to give or deny him a ticket to the African Championships.”
Sande won two fights, both against Umar Nvule, in last season’s Champions League and suffered four defeats.
After demotion, he made amends when he beat Owen Kibira to win gold at the 2023 National Open.
Ukasha relishing National Team Call
Matovu Ukasha is already looking past Saturday’s bout and has eyes on winning medals for his country.
The Spartan, as he prefers to be called, said that the fight against Sande means a lot to him though.
“This fight means a lot to me, automatically I am on the National team but this fight is for me to prove all the doubters and make a statement that I am serious on chasing my goals,” Ukasha said.
“My focus is to be the best in the Country, I want to start with winning some medals for Uganda and I hope to begin with this one in Cameroon.
“My preparations for Saturday’s fight have been up there, my Coach (Lawrence ‘Loola’ Kalyango) doesn’t entertain laziness and that means that I am already fit to do whatever it takes.
“I know a lot about my opponent because we shared the Gym before but he later went astray. So he is going to learn the hard way that I remained with the best techniques.”
Ukasha won five and drew one of his seven fights in Champions League last season, including beating Sande and Nvule Umar twice.
Other Bouts
•Edward Kimera vs Innocent Amoko – light welter
•George Wejuli vs James Baraka – heavy weight
•Arafat Kibirige vs Juma Ayiro – Cruiser weight
•Swalla Halima vs Alimu Patience – light fly-youth
•Lawrence Tamale vs Alex Kanabi – Special contest
•Christine Namuyomba vs Getrude Naava – Lightweight youth
