James Bakama
7 November 2009
Kampala — JACKSON Asiku like boxing legend Muhammad Ali has perfected the act of predicting the rounds in which he knocks out his opponents.
Ali, popularly known as "the greatest" for his ring prowess, lit up the sweet science in the sixties and seventies by living up to his knockout promises.
On Thursday Asiku, nicknamed "Action" because of his tenacity, promised to knock-out Mexico's Heriberto Ruiz in the eighth round of their International Boxing Organisation featherweight title fight.
"I've told the journalists to be on extra alert in the eighth round because that's exactly when history is going to be made," said the ever humorous prize fighter.
Asiku indeed did not disappoint the media. He actually gave them much more than they expected. He floored Ruiz twice before knocking him out four seconds to the end of the eighth round.
The 32-year-old Ruiz 42-9-2 (24) from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, had fought some of the biggest names in the lighter weight classes, including Eric Morel, Irene Pacheco, Rafael Marquez and Mauricio Pastrana.
While he did plenty of good work early in the fight, Asiku wore him down and hurt him at the end of round 7.
You easily dismiss Asiku's act as a gamble until you look at the records.
In April, he vowed to stop his opponent Gairy Saint John in the fifth round.
He indeed lived up to his word to claim the vacant IBF Australasian featherweight title.
It's a trait that Asiku's former coach Dick Katende attributes to skill and discipline. "It's all about fitness and punching power," explains Katende, who handled Asiku as an amateur.
News of Asiku's victory did not get Katende by surprise. "He is got one of the best right punches. Most welterweights can't hit as hard as this featherweight," noted Katende of the devastating uppercut that sent out Ruiz.
Asiku's victory is yet more proof of the boxing talent that abounds in Uganda . He is the latest in a string of Ugandans to win recognized world championships, following countrymen Ayub Kalule, Cornelius Boza-Edwards, John Mugabi and Kassim Ouma.
Ouma was the most recent of the quartet, winning a title at 154 pounds in 2004 and defending once before losing it nine months later.
But unlike the former Ugandan World Champions, the title has come after an agonizing wait for the 31 year old featherweight. You could blame the long wait on a lack of serious managers earlier on.
Asiku finally saw the light three years ago when he linked up with the Craig Christian camp. The Australian promised a world title fight, an offer that twice almost materialized last year. Craig finally delivered on his promise on Friday, and indeed Asiku did not disappoint.
The title definitely came with a good purse that Team Asiku was reluctant to disclose.
Ayub Kalule, who defended the WBA light middleweight title five times before losing it to Sugar Ray Leonard, has advised Asiku to jealously guard his crown.
"As a champion he is under microscopic observation. Everyone is looking out for his weaknesses. That calls for hard work."
Growing up in Naguru housing estate, Asiku was never short of idols. The city suburb is a talent factory with names like Mugabi, Katende and Charles Lubulwa as some of its boxing products. Football stars like Phillip Omondi and Moses Nsereko together with John Oduke (tennis) and Yayiro Kasasa (rugby) were also nurtured in the area.
As an amateur, Asiku dominated the light fly and flyweight divisions before winning bronze at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.
He joined the paid ranks in Australia after representing Uganda at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
His dream has always been to have a world title fight at home. That could now become a reality. "There is nothing as fulfilling as fighting before your home fans," notes Asiku.
He has fought 21 of his 28 bouts in Australia, including ten times since last losing there. His only fight in the paid ranks at home was in 2005 at Nakivubo when he won the African title.
On Friday he was not short of Ugandan support as several of his countrymen based in Australia and New Zealand made it to Parramatta Leagues Club on the outskirts of Sydney to support their own.
So, with the IBO belt now comfortably wrapped around his waist, what next for Asiku?
The Ugandan fighter has challenged former IBO junior lightweight world champion Billy Dib.
"Billy Dib, bring it on," declared Asiku. "It's here. I'm giving it to you. You want it, yes?"Asiku challenged Dib after flooring Ruiz.
Like Kalule said, the duration of Asiku's presence at the helm could depend on his discipline.
ROAD TO WORLD TITLE
2001- Won Australian title
2002- Won WBO Asia Pacific title
2004- Won Australian title
2005- Won Africa Boxing Union title
2005- Won Commonwealth title
2009- Won IBF Autralasian title
2009- Won IBO title
Record 26 wins(14 kos) 3 losses
Born 21 October 1978
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