By 
Boxing, which was for a long time Uganda’s most successful sport at the Olympics before athletics stepped up from the last two editions has always had its fair share of challenges.
This was until three years ago when the Uganda Boxing Federation was spearheaded by its president Moses Muhangi introduced the Boxing Champions League, an all year round tournament that keeps boxers active, something that was always an uncompished task.
Before, making it to the national team ‘bombers’ was only through the National Open, usually played at the start of the year but only lasted for less than two weeks and anyone willing was welcome to join the competition.
An equal chance for everyone but those who’d make it through would do so without being challenged enough and this would show in their performances against international opponents.
The other tournaments were novices and intermediate which were all ranked lower than Uganda Boxing Champions League .
Si far now in it’s third edition, the boxing champions league has already shown signs of solving such issues, boxers are assured of a stepping into the ring which also comes with a payment that wasn’t available previously, it presents a clearer path for national team selections and enough activity.
“Our role is to create avenues for these boxers to get exposure and a safe environment for fans and the cooperate world to associate with the sport, which we’ve gradually achieved.”
Muhangi spoke after this season’s week7 on Saturday where Nerrick Tumusiime defeated Depark Mawanda in the main fight, adding that, if this can be kept afloat, the future looks bright for Ugandan boxers.
Tumusiime throwing an upper-cut punch against Depark.
Women’s boxing was the most crippled before the champions league which now attracts atleast 20 female boxers according to journalist Gonzaga Kakeeto who credits this tournament for attracting very many ladies to boxing.
“Some times there would only be a maximum of 4 ladies at the national open, some boxers like Hellen baleke, Uganda’s bronze Medalist at the 2019 All Africa games would show up without and opponent in her weight hence an automatic place on the national team, there weren’t many women playing the sport.”
