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Kenyans miss out as Ugandans shine in ‘Umeme’ night
Tanzania’s Ali Dongo (right) fights against Uganda’s Sadat Segawa in the Super Bantamweight bout during the 12 Sports Round Promotion event at Charter Hall on May 24, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Initially, 12 Sports Rounds Promotions legal officer Joshua Sewankambo had indicated that the two failed to get opponents, but it appears disagreements over pay were at the heart of the withdrawals.
- Sewankambo assured fans that the promotion will return in a few months with more competitive matchups, having secured a KPBC license.
Algerian boxer Adam Belalia warmed up for the Africa Boxing Union (ABU) title shot with a resounding first-round knock-out on Saturday night during the 12 Sports Rounds Promotion event dubbed ‘Umeme Night, Hakuna Mchezo’ at Charter Hall in Nairobi.
Belalia delivered a barrage of punches to Uganda’s Fred Okuo, prompting referee Julius Odhiambo to stop the middleweight bout in the opening round.
“I would have loved the bout to stretch to at least two rounds, but I looked better than my opponent even though I was rusty, having not fought for one year,” said Belalia, 27, who was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden.
Belalia revealed plans to return home to prepare for the ABU super welterweight title fight scheduled for August.
“I am more than ready for the ABU crown as I plan for future bouts,” added Belalia, who now holds an unbeaten record of 10 wins, including six knockouts.
The night also belonged to Ugandan boxers, who dismantled their Tanzanian rivals across several bouts fought in a virtually empty arena.
Henry “Stopper” Kasujja (featherweight), James Sebalamu (super welterweight), Sedat Segawa (super bantamweight), Owen Kibira (middleweight), and Abdul Jego (light heavyweight) all registered knockout victories.
Kasujja floored Mussa Shuza in the second round of their eight-round non-title super welterweight bout.
“He never recovered after the first knockdown,” said Kasujja, who improved his record to 12 wins, one loss, and one draw.
Sebalamu knocked out Isheka Nobert in the sixth and final round, Jego overwhelmed Ali Hamisi Mzee in round two, Segawa stopped Ali Donyo in the second round of their six-round clash, while Kibira dominated Abdala Yoba.
Meanwhile, fans called on Ugandan promoter Stephan Ssembuya to include more Kenyan fighters in future cards. However, Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) chairman Reuben Ndolo defended the promoter, blaming local boxers for demanding unreasonably high purses.
“Blackmail is what we won’t tolerate. The promoter will in his next bouts settle on younger boxers who have a great future,” said Ndolo, noting that some Kenyan boxers had asked for as much as USD 6,000 (Sh780,000) for six-round bouts without proper preparation.
Among the Kenyan boxers expected to feature were former African champion Rayton Okwiri and rising star Denzel Onyango.
Initially, 12 Sports Rounds Promotions legal officer, Joshua Sewankambo, had indicated that the two failed to get opponents, but it appears disagreements over pay were at the heart of the withdrawals.
Sewankambo assured fans that the promotion will return in a few months with more competitive matchups, having secured a KPBC license.
