Embrace corporate boxing, urges Kazoora ahead of his fight with Shakib

Kazoora urged Ugandans to draw inspiration from countries like the United States and South Africa that make a lot of money through celebrity and corporate boxing.

Media personality Junior Dave Kazoora commonly known as JK, has encouraged Ugandans to embrace corporate boxing, saying this will help to grow the sport in the country.

He made the call on Thursday as Bwin Bet launched a partnership for the upcoming celebrity fight between Kazoora and socialite, Shakib Lutaaya.

The three round fight is scheduled for October 12.

Speaking at the partnership launch held at Roza Dymz, Kazoora urged Ugandans to draw inspiration from countries like the United States and South Africa that make a lot of money through celebrity and corporate boxing.

He also highlighted the health benefits that come with boxing, especially to those in their late ages.

"My weight has gone down from 100Kgs to 90kgs in just weeks. So, it helps in terms of your health. It pushes you to train hard to be ready for the fight. We are happy that we have opened doors for celebrity boxing because we shall have more bouts in the coming weeks. More celebrities are coming up to challenge me," Kazoora said.

He added, "Boxing is good because it has always won us medals. It has been our the 2nd best performing sport in the Olympics. If we can take advantage of social media especially YouTube and TikTok, we can promote and take the sport to another level. It will also give amateur boxers more exposure and opportunities."

Speaking at the partnership launch, Alvin Mugisha, the team leader at Bwin, said the partnership is part of their efforts to support boxing in the country as well as supporting communities through sports.

"We are here to support the boxing fraternity. We are also here to support the boxing champs, celebrity boxing. We are here to support the whole sport entirely," Mugisha said.

He noted that the betting company is committed to supporting sports in the country, and to improve the welfare of sports people through offering promo codes.

"Football, anything involved in sports, that's what we are here for. We are here to join with other companies to show that we are doing a good cause for the community. You can sign on our platform, using a promo code JK or Shakib and support the fighters," Mugisha said.

Shakib, who is also socialite Zari's boyfriend, explained that he was advised to take on the fight by the Uganda Boxing Federation president, Moses Muhangi, weeks after his bitter split with his partner.

“I thank the Uganda Boxing Federation president Muhangi for advising me to take on boxing seriously as a way of fighting depression. I also thank uncle JK Kazoora for accepting to fight me,” Shakib said.

Kazoora, told journalists that he did not hesitate to accept the fight as he saw it as a good opportunity to support Shakib, who was going through a lot in his life at the time.

"As a father of three children, I know what effect depression can have on young people. I accepted the fight because I wanted to support Shakib after going through what he went through," Kazoora said.

He added."Boxing runs deep in my blood, thanks to my uncle Muhangi the boxing national representative. It's a sport of discipline and beauty. I'm fighting for fun and the response is electric. Pallaso, Alien Skin, Navio, Nimrod, Zex and more want to face me."