African Boxing Union Title Fight:
- Farouk Daku (Uganda) 119-109, 120-110, 120-112 Said Mbelwa (Tanzania)
Uganda’s super middle weight prized boxing professional Farouk Daku successfully retained the African Boxing Union (ABU) title after overcoming Said Mbelwa from Tanzania on an unanimous points decision at Nakivubo Stadium parking yard in the wee hours of Monday morning.
The three judges; Jackson Mugwanya, Ismail Ssekisambu and Maureen Mulangira all concurred that the Ugandan was the better fighter on the night dubbed Do-or- Die to win 119-109, 120-110, 120-112 on points.
On a chilly night that witnessed several under – cards roll off by 8 p.m, the main fight came 5 hours later at 1:08 a.m.
The Judges’ Desk was as busy as always
Both Daku and Mbelwa exhibited great levels of endurance and fitness as they skillfully played the entire 12 rounds with passion and energy
Twice in the opening three rounds, at least both boxers had felled each other on the canvas much to the delight of the lively crowd.
Abdul Kaddu Sabata Salongo of the Uganda Professional Boxing Commission had earlier highlighted of revealing the scores for the two boxers by the end of every four rounds.
By the fourth round, the Ugandan ace had a comfortable lead as per the three judges’ scores – 40-37, 40-37, 40 -37.
Daku’s lucky 7th round punch landed onto the face of his opponent as the victim landed for the second time on the canvas.
He was however quick to get to his feet on the count of referee Simon Katongole.
By the 8th round, Daku had stretched the lead to 80-72, 80-74, 80-75 from the three judges, a trend that continued in the 9th before the visiting boxers salvaged pride with great defence and attack in the 10th and 11th rounds.
By the onset of the 12th and last round of action, there were eminent signs of fatigue from the two fighters.
Daku, a pro boxer based in the Netherlands hailed his opponent for the spirited fight throughout all the rounds.
Mbelwa is a great and experienced but I was better on the night
Daku remarked in his brief victory speech.
The lanky defeated Tanzanian was graceful despite the loss.
It has been a great fight with fair judgment from the scorers. I am happy for the Kampala crowd. I believe it is a place worth to come back for a re-match
Mbelwa, who spoke in Swahili said in a typical true sportsmanship spirit.
In the earlier under-card fights, Musa Ntege knocked out Wakasadha Saba Saba in the light heavy (79 kg) event.
John Sserunjogi overcame Alex Batwawula in the middle weight (70 kg) category while Mustapha Katende easily edged Ibrahim Ziwa in the super Middle weight (69.5 kg).
Med ‘Kabona’ Ssebyala of Uganda endured the entire 8 rounds to beat Baraka Wakasoko from Tanzania in the middle weight (72 kg).
In the most exciting under card fight on the night, Uganda’s Solomon Bogere (with hands raised above) defeated a tricky Tanzanian, Abdallah Ruwanje in the super light 8 rounds event.
Former Uganda Professional Boxing president, Celestino Mindra supervised the fights on the night organzied by Nara Promotionz and Malingumu Promotions.
