Pugilist John Munduga, a Lugbara from northwestern Uganda, was the most effective boxers within the USA throughout his newbie profession within the late 1970s and early 1980s. He stood out for his slim physique and massive dimension. Though he was within the decrease weight lessons, he was simply over 6 toes tall. He was thought of one of the vital achieved Ugandan boxers. He would attempt to be captain of the Ugandan boxing workforce, as he represented Uganda in a number of regional tournaments. Munduga participated within the 1980 Summer time Olympics in Moscow, the place he was the nationwide captain. As an expert he fought in Europe and america, the place he fought with a number of well-known boxers. Munduga had a really excessive co-rate, and he remained undefeated for a comparatively very long time. He now lives in Uganda (the place he was born) in Uganda, the place he's a highschool coach and coach - particularly at Kololo Excessive Faculty close to Kampala. In 2000 he was nationwide coach of the Rwandan boxing workforce.
Munduga was born on January 15, 1961 in Naguru close to Kampala in Uganda. There he studied on the St. Jude Major Faculty, the place he performed soccer. However early on, he grew to become all in favour of boxing when he was enjoying round on the Naguru Group Heart close to Kampala. He grew to become a boxing champion for a number of years after which nationwide junior champion at age 11.
In 1977, Munduga represented Uganda on the annual Urafiki match in Kenya. He received within the combat. He was referred to as by nationwide coach Grace Sseruwagi to go residence with the novices. Munduga surpassed his opponents and was chosen because the youngest participant of the Ugandan boxers to Thailand to combat within the worldwide King & # 39; s Cup. Munduga impressively received a bronze medal.
In January 1978, at a sport between Uganda and Poland in Kampala, Munduga defeated Roman Gotfryd after the combat was ended.
Within the All-Africa Video games of 1978 in Algiers Munduga misplaced within the second spherical in opposition to the Kenyan Steve Muchoki, who has overwhelmed up to now James Odwori and newbie champion has change into. He didn't reach moving into the medal holder.
Munduga represented Uganda on the invitation to the Feliks Stamm Memorial, which occurred from November 9-11, 1978 in Warsaw. Within the quarterfinals, the Ugandans defeated Jose Luis Rios of Cuba with 4: 1 within the semifinals struck Munduga Yuriy Prokhorov of the Soviet Union 3: 2 within the last Munduga received 4-1 in opposition to Leszek Kosedowski (Poland). Once more, he received the gold. Of the 5 Ugandan boxers on this place solely Munduga was victorious.
On the Poland vs. Uganda Twin in February 1979 in Warsaw received Munduga over pole Kazimierz Adach. Right here, boxers like Mugabi, Odwori, Butambeki and Siryakibe have been defeated.
Nonetheless in February 1979 Munduga triumphed within the metropolis of Schwerin within the GDR, the place a duel in opposition to Uganda was fought. Munduga defeated Lutz Kaesebier right here. Of the opposite Ugandan boxers, solely Adroni Butambeki received.
Munduga was 19 years previous when he competed in 1980 on the Olympic Video games in Moscow in opposition to the 25-year-old Nelson Jose Rodriguez from Venezuela within the first spherical of the sunshine welterweight competitors. Rodriguez was solely half a meter shorter than Munduga with 5 "5", and Uganda received on 21 July 1980 with factors.
Munduga's subsequent Olympic battle would happen on July 26, and right here within the second preliminary spherical he would field in opposition to Farouk Chanchoun Jawad in Iraq. Though the a lot shorter, 25-year-old Chanchoun, who had extra expertise, Munduga would change off within the second minute of the primary spherical. The Ugandans declare that he began properly, however then was badly overwhelmed and left unconscious. Chanchoun is thought to be the Asian champion thrice. Munduga would take the ninth place within the whole weight in welterweight.
Though Mugabi would win Uganda's solely medal on the Moscow Olympics, Munduga is clearly the Ugandan newbie pugilist who received most in Uganda within the late 1970s. He appears to me to be very hard-working, skillful, dedicated and disciplined, as Uganda's significance for boxing shortly waned.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) rating of 24 July 1987 ranked two Ugandan "Johns", who additionally represented Uganda within the Olympics, as one of many high ten world welterweight contenders. Mexico's Lupe Aquino was the champion, John "the Beast" Mugabi was the highest contender, whereas John Munduga was labeled because the sixth high contender. Other than the theoretical rivals of the crown, the 2 have been in all probability sparring companions, since each have been run by Mickey Duff in Tampa, Florida. Mugabi had received as a welterweight Uganda's solely medal on the Olympic Video games in Moscow - a silver welterweight. Within the international skilled scene Munduga would get the nickname "Matador". Munduga spoke of his childhood good friend Mugabi as one who "had a giant punch early ... at age 9, 10 he used to show off boys ... was the one certainly one of that age who might" (Berger 1986).
Munduga started boxing as a professional in Germany in November 1981, the place he performed the primary fourteen of his professional bouts. Right here he fought with a cross part of boxers from close to and much and set in these battles from 1981 to early 1984, a report of 85%.
He then started competing within the US, together with his first combat right here with Tommy Rogers in Tampa. He beat Rogers and continued his typical pattern of eliminating most of his opponents till he fought Leland Hart, whom he had overwhelmed in Could 1986 in Atlantic Metropolis for factors. Presently, Munduga had a transparent and spectacular report of 24 wins, zero losses, with 18 knockouts.
The following combat could be a scheduled 10-rounder with famend American Mark Breland, a welterweight of 6 "2.5", who received Olympic gold on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Video games, two inches taller than Munduga. A highly regarded character Breland, a 23-year-old, tried his hand at performing as an newbie champion within the US On June 21, 1986, Breland was defeated in opposition to the Ugandans on the Sands On line casino Resort in Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey the World Boxing Affiliation (WBA) ranked ninth on the checklist of rivals for the welterweight crown and ranked by the WBC on the checklist of junior rivals with medium weight.
Munduga believed that it might be helpful for him to land blows on Breland as a result of the 2 have been about the identical dimension. Munduga added that Breland had by no means fought an adversary as expert as himself, including that this was an ideal combat for which he had been coaching laborious. Breland mentioned he had fought many nice fighters throughout his lay years, most of whom had stopped struggling in opposition to brief boxers. He needed to bend right down to combat them and bend even decrease once they ducked. Breland additionally noticed Munduga as the standard European fighter who wouldn't pose an issue standing upright and coming straight to you. Based on Breland Munduga had punch and proper, however he was not puncher. Breland fought his first professional combat simply two months after successful the gold medal on the Los Angeles Olympics. He was described as "the subsequent Sugar Ray Leonard," an image he in the end wouldn't persist with.
The primary spherical confirmed that each boxer shorts have been within the right-hander. The bigger and longer-armed Breland additionally took benefit of this to maintain Munduga at bay with these advantages, though Munduga continues to assault. Within the first spherical, the 2 felt primarily for the sample, the spherical was about balanced, however Breland makes use of the arm benefit to win.
Within the second spherical Munduga is shaken within the first seconds with a tough punch and stumbles. Breland may be very conscious of this and is steadily including a knockout punch. Munduga has slowed down and he's really barely injured. However Munduga continues to assault, whereas the standard vary of the opponent retains him from attaining a lot. Breland's top, thinness, posture and rocking strikes are paying homage to a youthful Thomas "Hitman" Hearns.
Within the third spherical, Invoice Cosby, Muhammad Ali, Don King and Jesse Jackson are seen within the crowd of 15,000 spectators attending an Olympic movie star field. On the time, Breland was undefeated in 12 fights, however his knockout odds have been far much less spectacular than these of Munduga. On this third spherical, Munduga is amazed at what techniques he should use, however he bravely continues to Breland, though he comes throughout the long-lasting blows of Breland many times.
Within the fourth spherical, Munduga turns into way more aggressive, however he will get drained. Breland, nevertheless, is seemingly more energizing and extra gradual, as if ready for an opportunity to ship the assault. On this fourth spherical Munduga delivers his greatest punches and appears to simply unbalance Breland.
Within the fifth spherical Munduga exhibits extra braveness and confidence. He even rocks Breland when he's in opposition to the ropes, rushing up the assault.
Within the sixth spherical, the bat Munduga is once more the aggressive and he assaults Breland many times, if he hopes to come back by way of the longer arms of the opponent. Breland exhibits endurance, however the consciousness of his opponents will increase confidence. He appears to attend till Munduga turns into reckless and negligent and leaves his head open for beatings. Within the sixth spherical comes the second. Whereas Munduga continues to ship robust blows, Breland takes the higher hand and offers Mundugas head a killer uppercut and a right-left-right arc that beats him mindless on the again. The medical workforce shortly goes into the ring to take care of Munduga, whose left eye closes shortly. The combat is certainly over; Referee Paul Venti didn't depend him. Munduga was defeated for the primary time in his boxing profession. The boxing world often remembers Munduga due to this combat by which he confirmed braveness and talent in opposition to a well-known and skilled boxer.
Assured and victorious, Breland declared after the combat (AP 1986: 32).
"His plan was to be kicked, hit and hit, I knew he was puncher, however I can beat fairly properly too, his plan was taken away and you can't match within the ring, although You aren't actually sensible. "
5 weeks earlier than Munduga's combat, shortly after leaving Ricky Avendano within the first minute of the primary spherical, Breland was requested how he rated himself and he replied (AP 1986: 19).
"I actually have no idea, what I do know is that I don't wish to be thrown right into a title combat, perhaps a yr and a half, I need every part to be excellent."
Between 1987 and 1990 Mark Breland WBA welterweight champion, then he misplaced the title to Marlon Starling, received him again after which misplaced to Aaron Davis. Breland retreated from the ring with a formidable 39 wins, three defeats and a draw.
Munduga's head had been severely broken by Breland, he fell closely to the bottom. This combat, most tied to Munduga, had virtually destroyed and destroyed him. It took virtually six months for Munduga to begin once more. He admits that he was broken after this combat, not himself, and he misplaced a few of his curiosity in boxing. As compared, Uganda's Mustapha Wasajja was by no means the identical once more after being eradicated by Michael Spinks; John "The Beast Mugabi" was by no means the identical once more when he was knocked out by Marvin Hagler.
In Las Vegas he received in December 1986 in a mediocre combat with Alvaro Granillo. His final main combat was the unbeaten Darrin "Schoolboy" Van Horn, a scholar on the College of Kentucky, and a future Worldwide Boxing Federation (IBF) World Champion. In Frankfort, Kentucky, greater than a yr since Munduga appeared within the ring, Van Horn Munduga beat in February 1988 because the seventh of a scheduled 10-lap.
Munduga fought his final three skilled bouts in Germany and Belgium, and he misplaced all by knockout failures to unrecognized fighters. His final recorded combat is in November 1989. He had misplaced his luster. Munduga is claimed to have received in 25 fights by which 18 have been received by knockout. Nevertheless, in all 5 fights he misplaced, he was crushed in every of them. Many had anticipated a lot extra from this former high-ranking boxer.
Between 1987 and 1990 Mark Breland WBA welterweight champion, then he misplaced the title to Marlon Starling, received him again after which misplaced to Aaron Davis. Breland retreated from the ring with a formidable 39 wins, three defeats and a draw.
Works quoted
AP. "Breland wins the 12th Welterweight combat." The index journal, Could 16, 1986.
AP. "Breland Flooring Munduga in sixth place." The index journal, June 22, 1986.
Berger, Phil. "Mugabi: On the entrance door of boxing." New York Occasions. March 2, 1986.
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