Boxer Muzamir Ssemuddu retires from national team

Light middleweight Muzamir ‘Mr Take Over’ Ssemuddu has announced his retirement from the national team after just three years.

The stylist boxer danced his last in a farewell fight with a third-round knockout victory against the experienced Herbert Mugarura.

Dubbed ‘The Take Over farewell’, Ssemuddu signed out in style, flooring Mugarura on a night that saw celebrities, politicians and sports administrators from various disciplines flock to Club Obligato in Kampala.

It is probably Ssemuddu’s last fight in Uganda before he flies to the United States to venture into professional boxing.

“A big shout out to everyone who has contributed to my journey. Thank you and may God bless all of you,” Ssemuddu told the crowd.

“My short time on the national team has been so sweet. I thank President Moses Muhangi, all boxing stakeholders, my family, coaches, fellow boxers, musicians John Blaq, Navio, Zex, Chameleon, Vipers SC and my fans out there for believing in me.”

The 2023 Africa Games bronze medalist was then joined by his mother Josephine Nansamba and father Meddie Luyinda, a former middleweight at Kololo Boxing Club.

“Of recent, boxing has become our new family. Personally, I had a negative view of this sport. Thanks for your countless support for my son," Nansamba noted.

Ssemuddu leaves behind a legacy and a huge fanbase on all fronts and sectors that had turned him into one of Uganda’s boxing poster boys and a darling.

No wonder on his last dance, Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) President, Moses Muhangi and the pro arm of Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC) that have been at loggerheads put their rift aside to cheer the former butcher turned boxer.

Musicians Navio, Zex Birangilangi, ‘Abantu Mukisa’ hitmaker, Spyda Mc, Nansana Municipality RCC, Ali Nsubuga, former Uganda Volleyball Federation president, Hadijah Namanda among others were in attendance.

Last year, Vipers SC unveiled Ssemuddu at St Mary’s Stadium as one of their ambassadors during their 2-0 league victory over URA FC.

He represented Uganda twice at the 2023 Africa Boxing Championship in Yaounde, and recently captained The Bombers at the Africa Games in Ghana where he clinched a light middleweight bronze.

In the United States, Ssemuddu will box under promotion giants, Urban Boxing.

The Silver Spring, Maryland based promotion company is not new to Ugandan boxing followers.

Previously, it signed Uganda’s current top-ranked boxer Sula Segawa, a World Boxing Council (WBC)-USA featherweight champion.

Others include Charles ‘Skipper’ Mulinddwa and Hamza Sempewo.

To Ssemuddu, this is a dream come true.

“Three years back I couldn’t believe that such a global promotion company could come running in this short period. But since my childhood I have dreamt of boxing in the USA."

Moses Muhangi says Ssemuddu has left a void in boxing circles.