The National Open Boxing championship ended on Sunday with 90 out of 191 pugilists bagging gold medals. The action at the Lugogo Indoor stadium was thrilling with many stories to tell, writes JOHN VIANNEY NSIMBE.
Isaac Masembe had one of the outstanding stories at this year’s Open. The 18-year-old pugilist competed in the Elite category (19-40 years) for the first time and emerged the best. In more ways than one, this was unusual, as Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) spokesman, Fred Kavuma, admitted.
He said: “Normally, the higher a boxer goes, the tougher it gets. And for a young pugilist as Masembe is, to climb up to the Elite class, which is the topmost level at the open, and win, is a huge feat. He is such a prospect.”
Fighting in the Bantam weight (56kg), Masembe contested in four fights, to win. However, he fought three more experienced pugilists on his way to triumph. And this was telling.
“Fighting against more seasoned fighters and beating them was gratifying,” he said.
Now, the focus is on having a shot at the national team, The Bombers: “Representing my country has always been a huge dream. I hope I can meet the standard there too and become a top fighter in the future.”
Being a top-ranked global pugilist is all that Masembe’s coach Lawrence Kalyango sees in this young fighter. He said right from a young age, Masembe did not only show hunger for the sport, but also incredible ability to learn and execute whatever he was taught.
“He is skillful and naturally talented,” Kalyango said. It is for that reason that he has climbed up the ladder fast. In 2014, when Masembe made his bow in boxing, he lost in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the cadet and intermediate boxing championships.
But for a first-timer, this was an eye-opener to the potential he had. In fact, when he returned in 2015 for Intermediate boxing in the youth category, he won. He repeated this feat in 2016 in the Elite category of Intermediate boxing.
That was a breakthrough, and one that has continued to this day, where he emerged the best boxer at the Open championship. This is in many ways a consolation for a young man, who dropped out of school two years ago in senior two because of lacking fees.
Save for the trophy, medal and certificate, Masembe returned home without a dime. It is something he laughs about, saying, “I do not think our boxing has reached a level, where cash prizes can be given.” But for his boxing to take him places, Masembe, who has no job yet, needs money to sustain this career.
He told The Observer that his mother sustains him. She runs a small business in Kasubi, where they reside. It is in the same area that Masembe plies his trade at COBAP Boxing Club from where his skills have been honed.
Watching him box during the week, Masembe showcased flair, speed, energy and an offensive-minded approach. It was quite pretty on the eye, that one would feel this young man has his legend taking shape.
jovi@observer.ug