MAIN FIGHT: Sayed Abbas Nassab (Iran) Beat Kenneth Odeke (Technical KNOCK OUT-after 6 rounds)
It was bad news indeed for Ugandan boxer Kenneth ‘Bad news’ Odeke as he lost out to Iranian’s Sayed Abbas by a technical Knock-out in the World Boxing Forum Title fight at Kati kati Gardens in the wee hours of a chilly Friday night.
Kenyan Referee Francis Orlando had no option but to stop the fight in the 6th round following Odeke’s profuse bleeding that started as early as the 4th round due to the Iranian’s well timed powerful jabs that landed onto the unprotected face of Ugandan pugilist.
“He was a big talker and i came to knock him off”, said a confident Sayed while Odeke consoled himself as he sought for a rematch in Iran soon.
“This is not the end of the road, i will need a re-match in Iran soon”, said Odeke, who continued to bleed way after the fight had been stopped. Odeke’s misery marked a poor night for Ugandan boxers as another Iranian, Govad Zovarhend had triumphed over Hassan ‘Bana Bana’ Haruna in the Middle weight World Boxing Council 10 round bout. Bana Bana amused the gathering as he blamed his loss to a twisted arm which he said he suffered a month back in training.
Iranian ambassador to Uganda,Dr Amir Hussein graced the fight as chief Guest. He lauded the bout organizers, Big Strikers International for the high level of organization exhibited, “Am privileged to honour the fight. Thank you the organizers, please keep up the spirit”, said the ambassador, who holds a black belt in kick boxing.
Other guests present were Ssalongo Kasawuli of the Samona Jelly Company, Politician cum Boxing administrator Geofrey Nyakana and Col Felix Kulaigye. The latter too commended the high spirit exhibited by boxers, fans and organizers to make the fight a memorable one. ”We take pride in sports and as UPDF, we shall continue to support boxing”, Kulaigye said.
However, there were a lot of mishaps that the organisers ought to rectify. Time management will forever remain Africa’s greatest disease. There was trouble to separate the different ticket owners. For instance a person who fetched a 20,000/= ordinary ticket could comfortably enjoy the confines of a 100,000/= ticket owner in the VIP section.
The few gathering that attended the fight is the best answer to the less returns of close to 2,600,000/= total income from the entire bout.
Skin Samona, NTV, Mogas, Big Strikers, Jomayi Property Consultants, XL Events,Red Pepper, Boston Restaurant sponsored the event. The fight was aired live on NTV.
Under Cards: Amateurs: Geofrey Kimbugwe (Namugoona)Bt John Busingye (Police)
Brian Lwanga (Katwe) Bt Mutebi
Emmanuel Aloyi Bt Mandela (UPDF)
Professional Under-cards: Gasugar Kabagoniya vs Abu Mukiibi (Draw)
Opio Richard Beat Hassan Ssentamu
Robert Mudawa (UPDF) Beat Edward Ssenkayi
Juma Waiswa Beat Mustafha Mongolia
Main Under-card fight:
Haruna Ddiba “Bana Bana” (Uganda) lost to Govad Zovarhend (Iran) on anmious point decision for the World Boxing Council (WBC)-middleweight