On Tuesday, May 24th, the Intercontinental heavyweight fight was launched at the International University of East Africa (IUEA). Vice-Chancellor of IUEA, Prof. Emeka Akaezuwa, Great Strikers’ chairman, Sam Buchanan, Uganda Professional Boxing Commission President and Kampala Division Mayor, Salim Uhuru, Great Strikers CEO, Lt. Col. Damian Kato, and all professional and undercard boxers were in attendance.
Chairman Buchanan unveiled the fight card and sanctioned all of the flights scheduled for July 8th 2022, in the IUEA auditorium theatre, including the highly anticipated matchup between Shafik Kiwanuka and Giorgi Kopadze.
Shafik Kiwanuka, assured his fans, supporters, and the IUEA fraternity that he is ready to take on the Georgian.
“I have been training very hard, and I am ready for this fight; I am not afraid to beat the Georgian with my KO skills. I thank my sponsors, above all IUEA, for believing in me by supporting my education and boxing career. I promise to make you all proud.”
– said a confident Shafik.
Kiwanuka’s last fight in the IUEA auditorium was in 2019 when he thrashed Zimbabwe’s Thamsang Dube to pick up the title of African Heavyweight Championship. His most recent fight ended in a draw with South Africa’s Chris Thompson in Dar es Salaam, October 2021.
This year, he returns to the ring to face Kopadze in a 10-round battle as he defends his winning streak for yet another big title.
Kopadze, on the other hand, has been honing his skills over the years and has earned a reputation for being one of Georgia’s most formidable boxers.
During the launch, Salim Uhuru, President of the Uganda Professional Boxing Commission, confirmed the fight’s sanctioning and expressed his gratitude to all sponsors and promoters of Uganda boxing, particularly IUEA.
“Thank you so much, International University of East Africa, for building the boxing fraternity and supporting our brother Shafik.”
– Mr Uhuru said.
Apart from the UBC Intercontinental title fight, two other WBF Continental Championship fights are scheduled in the IUEA auditorium on the same day.
Ratib Muwonge (Dancing Rasta) will face Kenyan Emmanuel Chvoli for the WBC Continental Junior Welterweight title, while Aldin Muzei will face Tanzanian Albert Kimario for the WBC Continental Featherweight title.
Undercard fights will include;
- Acayo Mercy Oliver VS Tibesigwa Salima (BANTAMWEIGHT) 5 ROUNDS
- Okello Justine VS Katumba Sulah (WALTER WEIGHT 10 ROUNDS)
- Magumba Ivan VS Ntambi Ngobi Shamil (MIDDLEWEIGHT 8 ROUNDS)
- Fahad Mayombo VS Lwumbwe Bashir(WALTER WEIGHT 6 ROUNDS)
- Lubega Ahmed Shaban Daku VS Keneth Kawunda (WALTER WEIGHT 6 ROUNDS)
- Junju Power VS Tookema Patrick (JUNIOR WALTER WEIGHT 6 ROUNDS)
- Male Joshua Arthur VS Ngobi Sharif (SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT 6 ROUNDS)
- Lubega Ali VS Komaketch James (FEATHERWEIGHT 4 ROUNDS).
