After winning one of Uganda’s three medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, boxer Fazil Juma Kaggwa had a tough 2015.
From falling out of favour with the National team officials and the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) to failing to impress at the Aiba pro fights.
Not forgetting most recently, when he was overlooked as the national team prepared for the 2016 African Olympics Boxing qualifiers because he failed to make weight and missed action at the 2015 World Boxing Championships in Doha, Qatar last October.
The Naguru based boxer has decided to turn professional after he couldn’t land a shot at trying to qualify for the Olympics.
No more wasting time, the Olympics are now a gone case; I can’t wait for another four years. I’ve got to move one. Everything is progressing, I have already signed a contract and I might have my first pro fight late May. After three or four more, I will be able to vie for a title like the Commonwealth, African or European.
Kaggwa said recently at East Coast Boxing Club, in Naguru.
Kaggwa is working with UK-based promoter/matchmaker Daniel Lutaaya, the latter is trying to connect the light fly weight to legendary promoter Wilfried Sauerland’s stable in Germany.
Former world champion John ‘the Beast’ Mugabi is one of the fighters whose professional careers Sauerland unearthed in the seventies before joining British promoter Mickey Duff in UK.
Though many believe it might have been a rush decision for Kaggwa to turn pro, the fighter thinks otherwise.
Not really; I had already planned to go pro after the 2016 Olympics, it’s the right time; I want to get used to the trade when I’m still young and able.
His shot to Aiba Pro Boxing (APB), new system that pays semi-pro boxers was an eye opener after he two fights that had Kaggwa win one and lose another in China.
APB has given me money, friends, connections but above all, experience which is going to help me a lot in the pro world.
Kaggwa hopes to juggle mainstream professional and Aiba Pro if he gets the chance.
