Kayongo Ready for Showtime
by Jesse Kelley
From left: Hassan Wasswa, Al
Brunette, Mohammed Kayongo, Tom Brunette
Back
in his home country of Uganda, Mohammed Kayongo is already viewed as one
of the best prospects to come out of Africa in years. Kayongo had an amateur
record of 127 wins, 9 losses, with 67 of those wins by knockout, which
is rare for an amateur fighter.
"That just shows you what kind of power Mohammed possess" says trainer Tommy Brunette.
Among other accomplishment, Kayongo earned a silver medal at the 2002 British Commonwealth games and won five African national titles, defeating fellow countryman and current #1 contender Kasim Ouma in the process. According to Brunette, Kayongo was rated as high as number three in the world in his weight class as an amateur.
"Boxing is my life says Kayongo, it is all I think about. I come
from the same neighborhood as John Mugabi, Ayub Kalule and Cornelius Boza
Edwards. I grew up in the boxing gym and have been there ever since I
was a kid! I hope to be involved with boxing in some way for the rest
of my life." 
It is this attitude along with the talent that has the people of his
country and boxing fans in his newly found home of Saint Paul, Mn praising
the 23 year old so early on. " He leads a clean life style",
says Brunette " Mohammed doesn't drink, he doesn't do drugs and he
is one of the nicest kids you will meet in the sport!"
Kayongo was introduced to Tommy and Brian Brunette by his cousin Hassan Wasswa, who also moved here from Uganda and trains at the Brunette boxing gym in Saint Paul as well. " I came to the US because this is where my opportunities are! I like it here in Minnesota."
"The
African Assassin" has built an impressive record of 10 wins 0 losses
with 7 KO's in his first year fighting as a professional. However, tomorrow
will likely be his toughest challenge to date when he makes his national
television debut as a pro on ShowBox. His opponent will be Jose Antonio
Ojeda (9-3, 6 ko's) of Santa Maria, California.
"I can tell this guy is a fighter, but I am a fighter too" stated Kayongo "I hope he wants to go toe-to-toe so we can all see whats going on! I am confident that I will be bringing a win back to Minnesota. I know that this will be in his home town but it doesn't bother me at all. I have been fighting in the other guys home town all my life.
As for being featured on national television in front of the camera's Kayongo says it will only help bring out his best. " I have fought on TV as an amateur, it's no problem. This is what I was born to do!"
The other featured bout will be between WBA FEDECENTRO Super Welterweight Champion Nurhan Suleymanoglu and contender David Estrada and can be seen on Showtime, Thursday July 15, 2004, At 11 PM ET/PT From Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California.
