"This boy is world class material,â€? says Billy Nelson, Lusambya’s new coach—-“He’s such a young and strong lad."
[Black Star Sports]
He jokes that he feels like “King” in Scotland.
Uganda’s and Africa’s light middleweight boxing champ, Badru Lusambya, says by the time he’s done with his Romanian challenger, Gheorghe Danut, his opponent will regard him as a monarch.
The two will fight March 29 at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) Arena, in Glasgow. Lusambya, 25, was joking by borrowing a page from last year’s block-buster film “The Last King Of Scotland.”
Lusambya has a perfect record, 17-0, with 16 of his wins by knockout.
“This boy is world class material,” says Billy Nelson, Lusambya’s new coach, who also handles Commonwealth gold medalist Kenny Anderson, and Willie Limond; he once handled Scott Harrison. “He’s such a young and strong lad.”
Nelson adds: “I’m impressed with his style and I will not need a lot of change. I try to make little change but not too much.”
“There is only one little barrier which is understandable—-because even if I came to Uganda, it would be the same to me. The language; but that isn’t a big problem,” Nelson tells The Black Star News, after a training session at the Gymnasium Lanark Village an outskirt of Glasgow.
“Badru is fantastic. He’s learned a lot and he loves to learn. That is the most important thing,” Nelson continues. “He is a classic fighter. I believe he will win. I don’t mind about the KO, but I want and expect a win against his opponent. Then other things can just make themselves automatically.”
“I love Scotland and wanted to come here to fight,” Lusambya says. “Being a world champion for Scotland is my dream. I am here to make that dream a reality.” Lusambya has been training here for the last two weeks trying to acclimatize, given the cold weather.
“I want three more fights in Scotland and then I want Brave Heart Promotions to push me to a world title. I’ll be ready for that next year,” he adds, referring to his promoters.
“I am very happy to meet new friends and I love being part of Scotland and I have developed love for Rangers FC,” he says, referring to one of the leading soccer teams here.
Lusambya walked out on his promoters in Uganda to follow his dream in the UK. “I want to fight in Scotland for the rest of my career and that is why I refused to renew my contract,” he explains. “I knew there was nothing left for me in Africa and I have been begging different managers and promoters abroad.
Lusambya, who once eked a living from the soil as a farmer in his village, says his fists will lead him to stardom; he’s already climbed out of poverty.
“There were big problems back in Uganda but I want to forget all the problems in Africa by working hard in the gym and my focus now is becoming world champion,” he says.
Investigative rerporter Miwambo writes for The Black Star News from Europe. He occasionally takes a break by filing sports stories. Contact him at [email protected] only with serious news tips.
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