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Uganda's boxing scene is abuzz with anticipation as the country's boxing elites, Erina Namutebi and Emily Nakalema, among others, prepare to go head-to-head in a battle for a coveted spot at the 2023 Dakar Olympics Qualifiers.
Marking a significant prelude to the qualifiers, an engaging event awaits boxing enthusiasts on August 12 at Club Obligato.
This special edition of the Uganda Champions League will feature a lineup of thirteen intense bouts.
Notably, eleven of these bouts have been designated as elimination matches, directly granting the victors tickets to the Dakar Olympics Qualifiers.
The upcoming showdown between the Africa bronze medalist, Nakalema, and the silver medalist from the 2023 Africa Elite Men's and Women's Championships, Namutebi, promises to be a clash of titans.
The highly anticipated Olympic Qualifiers are scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from September 9 to 15, 2023.
This event will allocate a total of 18 slots exclusively for African competitors. Among these, seven slots are reserved for male contenders, distributed across various weight divisions, while the remaining 11 slots are open to women.
In the spotlight, Erina Namutebi, who secured a silver medal in the Africa Elite Men's and Women's Championships in the light welterweight category, is set to go toe-to-toe with the welterweight bronze medalist Emily Nakalema.
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Nakalema has tasted the enthusiasm of previous Olympic qualifiers, though her journey was cut short in the semi-finals.
Her recent 3:2 split decision victory over Namutebi in the Uganda Boxing Federation Champions League will undoubtedly fuel her determination.
Yet, Namutebi's hunger for success burns just as bright. With a silver medal under her belt from Yaounde, she is resolute in her pursuit of another opportunity to represent Uganda on the continental and global stage—the Olympics.
The excitement extends beyond the Namutebi-Nakalema clash. The flyweight category will feature a bout between the Africa championships bronze medalist Grace Nankinga and Nantongo Shakirah.
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Meanwhile, Ndagire Sharua will lock with horns with Phiona Kansiime in the featherweight division.
Nabikolo Fatuma will strive against Nadia Najjemba for the bantamweight slot.
Among the men, a fierce encounter is expected as Baraka James faces Jamidali Adam in the heavyweight division. Geko Solomon and Zikama Sabath will battle for supremacy in the Superheavy category.
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Teammates Joshua Tukamuhebwa and Onen Jaffer from East Coast Boxing Club will set aside their camaraderie momentarily as they vie for the coveted light welterweight slot.
Adding more spice to the mix, Kibira Owen of Lukanga Boxing Club will take on Isaac Zebra in a gripping contest for the light middleweight slot.
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Kyobe Jonathan aims to upset the status quo by challenging newcomer Murungi Khassim, who was favoured for the featherweight slot during the Cameroon trip.
Additionally, Mawanda Shafick and Kasozi Frank will engage in a flyweight division bout that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
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