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After Hiatus, Mohammad Kayongo Ready to Make An Impact
October 4th, 2011

STORY, PHOTO'S, VIDEO BY RAY KILGORE

 

No one would have wagered that 147-pounder and self-described boxing junkie Mohammad Kayongo would disappear from the game for over two years. In November 2009, Kayongo was on a several-fight winning streak and had just won a small title by stopping James Todd with a third-round TKO. However, his swift exile from the sport, immediately after the fight, KO’d Kayongo’s career more completely than he'd expected.

“I see this as a journey,” the boxer said in a low tone as his wife, Nora, rubbed his back for comfort. “There were some hurdles to get over.” Unfortunately the obstacles involved outside distractions, injuries, and other commitments, all of which stripped Kayongo of the boxing identity he had tenaciously carved out ever since he was an eight-year-old growing up in Kampala , Uganda .

One of seven children, Kayongo recalled being two years old when he first visited a boxing gym. Several years later, he joined the sport, winning several amateur titles in the process. By the time he moved to the USA in 2002, his focus, he said, was to continue with the same passion under the guidance of his first trainer, Tommy Brunette.

“It’s hard to talk about the guy [Brunette] who took me pro,” said Kayongo, fighting back tears as he recalled his work with Brunette, who died of a sudden heart attack at a local boxing card. “He was like a father to me and a good friend,” said Kayongo. “He was a good man and good trainer, and he had a vision for me.”

Kayongo, who is studying Criminal Justice at Minneapolis Community College , said the past several years, when he has been away from boxing, have been difficult emotionally. “[It’s] very hard to just walk away,” said the fighter, whose record is 15-2, 11 KOs . “I walk, sleep and hear [boxing].”

Now the 30-year-old has a new trainer and stronger support system, all of which he said will assist him in reaching his goals: “Holding nothing back in second phase of my career.”

Trainer Seko Tongola said his boxer is several months shy of returning to his former self. “He got charisma and strong determination,” said the 42-year-old former kickboxer Tongola. “I try to let him know that doubt is a part of life, but when you keep your focus and keep doing it, things will change.”

Kayongo’s wife, who attended his training session on the day of this interview, said she has long anticipated her husband’s return. “I had been ready for him to come back for a long time,” she said. “I am very happy and excited.” She proved this as she cheered loudly when the boxer showed ferocity as he worked the bag non-stop and skipped rope, for over seven minutes, jumping high with both feet together.

Kayongo also displayed motivation. Several times he yelled, “Let's go to war,” while the not-so-shy Tongola beamed with animation, boasting about his fighter’s skill and power. “I believe I got what it takes,” said Kayongo. “If I hit you right, you are going to feel my power.” Minnesotaboxing.com founder Jesse Kelly echoed Kayongo’s sentiment, referring to the boxer as one of the hardest pound-for-pound punchers around.

The friendly fighter doesn’t expect his transition back into the ring to be that difficult, given that, he said, he doesn’t abuse his body with drugs or alcohol. And while boxing is now the center focus, he said he can’t ignore the reality of life.

“As much as I love it, I think there’s [a] certain time I have to end it and look at other endeavors,” he said. But for now, “I am back and I feel good physically, spiritually and psychologically. I want to give my fans with they been missing,” he said. “This is the last chapter of my career…I want to give it my all, I don’t want to hold anything back…I’ve been off two years [and] I want to fight the best man.”

 

 

 

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