UGANDAN PROMOTER STEVE SEMBUYA LIGHTS UP NAIROBI
Ugandan US-based promoter Steve Sembuya is laughing from ear to ear after outwitting his detractors in Uganda to relocate to Kenya.
And tomorrow, May 24, Sembuya will stage his first ever pro card on Kenyan soil to announce his big arrival and has promised to light up the capital city Nairobi.
“I’m so excited and very happy finally I’ll stage my fights without interference from idlers in Kampala,” said Sembuya, adding:”Kenya is now my home, I appeal to other promoters in Uganda to join me in Kenya, the welcome has been fantastic.”
Sembuya shifted to Nairobi following what he described as oppressive laws introduced to frustrate promoters.
The new National Sports Act gave Uganda Boxing Federation the powers to manage pro boxing also.
“We can’t operate under an amateur body, it doesn’t make sense at all, we have been pushed out of business by our own government,” said Sembuya.
“Instead of assisting us get sponsors, and improve on the low standards in amateur boxing, they’re focusing on us, we’re in business.”
Sembuya’s seven-bout card will take place at Nairobi’s Charter Hall from 6pm. Charges are Sh500, Sh1,500 and Sh3000.
The main fight is between 32-year-old Henry Kasujja, a former butcher, who meets Tanzania’s Mussa Shuza (5-7-0, 2 KOs) in a 10-round non-title welterweight encounter.
Kasujja (11-1-1, 4 KOs), son of a former IBF junior middleweight champion Kassim “The Dream” Ouma, was originally scheduled to meet Malawi’s Charles Misanjo who withdrew and replaced by the Tanzanian who looked scared even before stepping into the ring.
Kasujja said he will slaughter Shuza predicting he will not go past the second round.
“Let him be prepared for heavy punishment and pain allover his body,” said Kasujja.
During the weigh-in on Friday, May 23, at the Hill Park Hotel, Shuza remained non-committal on his prospects.
“I’m here to fight, and will give my best,” said the subdued 35-year-old Tanzanian boxer from Tanga.
“I’ve been preparing well as a pro boxer, I’m okay.”
