Okwiri intensifies training ahead of Kampala bout
The much-awaited fight night pitting Kenyan pugilist Rayton Okwiri against Ugandan Kassim “The Dream” Ouma that will happen on Boxing Day this year is already garnering a lot of excitement with the former ready for battle that will be held at the Lugogo Cricket Oval.
Both pugilists are currently on top of their game and are charged up ahead of the high profile bout. Veteran Kassim, 43, who is the current IBF middleweight Champion has the advantage of home-turf and has challenged twice for a world middleweight title in 2006 and 2011.He has 29 wins in his professional career with 18 being through Technical Knockouts. In a career spanning 19 years plus, Kassim is a former World Super-Welterweight Champion with a total 42 professional fights to his name.
The bout dubbed “Rumble in Kampala” will see Okwiri who is the current Africa Boxing Union middleweight Champion have a go against an established boxer with his confidence high up. The 10 round fight is expected to be fireworks especially for the returning German based Kassim after slightly over two decades away with his last fight in his motherland being in 1999 with this fight only his third in the continent.
Okwiri whose record stands at eight wins,one loss and one draw from 10 fights is heavy with expectation to come good. “I am ready for duty as always and I am looking forward to putting up a good show and of course winning. Only three weeks left for the big day in Kampala and we are more than ready to concur Kassim in his own bedroom,”posted Okwiri in his social media account.
On his part,Kassim has promised to teach Okwiri also known as “Boom Boom” a boxing lesson in the rings come the D-day. “I am a professional boxer who has had an unmatched boxing career for the last two decades. I am going to pummel Okwiri into a pulp. It has been a long time since my last fight at home and finally I am back to where it all started. Be ready to watch The Dream,”he told local Press after confirmation of the bout dates.
The Fight Promoter-12 Sports Rounds Boxing Promotion CEO Steven Seguya through a statement stated; “Champions will be playing with fellow Champions and it is an event you have not seen anywhere. It is the first time Kassim is playing in Africa and we are blessed that he will come to Uganda. This is our fourth fight this year and many countries will be participating.”
Okwiri’s last fight ended in a slim loss against DRC Congo pugilist Emmany Kalombo in July,2022 through a Technical Knockout after injuring his right index finger. On his part,Kassim’s last fight was five years ago against 33 year old German-born Illias Yassin Essaudi which ended in a loss for the Ugandan ace.
