Top pugilist has a point to prove

By Michael Uugwanga

FORMER unified world boxing champion, Julius ‘Blue Machine’ Indongo said to prove everyone wrong that he is still a great fighter, he will need to beat his opponent Hassan Mwakinyo when the two boxers go head-to-head for the African Boxing Union (ABU) super welterweight title in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania tomorrow.

Indongo is a former unified World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Organisation (IBO), and International Boxing Federation (IBF) world champion having won between 2016 and 2017.

At 38, Indongo still believes that he is capable of becoming a world champion again but that will have to start with a win against Mwakinyo (26) who is regarded as one of Africa’s finest boxers.

Indongo has a record of 26 fights, 23 wins and three losses, while Mwakinyo has a record of 21 fights, 17 wins and two losses under his belt.

Speaking to Confidente Sport, Indongo said even though age is not on his side, opportunities such as the fight against Mwakinyo are hard to come if he is to have another shot at a world title.

“It feels so great to be back inside the ring once again because it is not easy due to Covid-19 that’s distracting a lot of things.

This fight is the way forward to prove to myself that I am still capable of being in boxing.

Winning a world title is all about opportunities. It will not be an easy fight especially when fighting someone in his own backyard,” he said.

Indongo is confident his experience could play a major factor in the fight.

“You know I have been doing this for more than 20 years and I am still motivating young generations.”

Indongo is currently based in the United States of America.