The grand finals of the Uganda Boxing Champions League (UBCL) delivered a night of high drama and stunning twists, as several established names were shaken by unexpected outcomes on a pulsating final day at Lugogo Arena. What was billed as a coronation night for favorites instead turned into a celebration of grit, tactical brilliance, and the rise of new champions.

In one of the most talked-about bouts of the evening, Kibirige Arafat, a strong favorite in the 86kg Cruiserweight Elite, suffered a shock split decision (SD) loss to Mayeko Steven, who showed composure and ring intelligence to edge the contest and claim the oval championship belt.

Another surprise came in the 60kg Lightweight Elite, where Makanga Moses dominated proceedings to hand Mugisha Patrick a decisive unanimous decision (UD) defeat, firmly announcing himself as a force in the division.

Not all bouts followed the upset narrative. In the 71kg Light Middleweight Elite, Tumusiime Nerrick lived up to expectations with a solid UD victory over Mayanja Muhammad, while Kanaabi Alex also impressed in the same weight class, earning a UD win against Mawanda Depark.

The featherweight division saw Mulungi Kasim rise to the occasion, defeating Mawanda Frank to secure the 57kg Featherweight title, adding to the night’s growing list of newly crowned champions.

Another tightly contested battle unfolded in the 67kg Welterweight Elite, where Mukwaya Eddy fell by split decision to Batte Nuhu, a result that underlined just how narrow the margins were on the final night.

In the 75kg Middleweight Elite, Ojok Alfred produced a composed performance to defeat Nsamba Ronald by unanimous decision, while Nasassira Shafik edged Kemis Ibrahim via SD in the 60kg Lightweight Elite, continuing the trend of razor-thin verdicts.

The night concluded with a gripping main event, as Farahat Manirola claimed the 63.5kg Light Welterweight crown after a convincing UD victory over Amoko Innocent, sealing his status as the division’s oval champion.

At the end of the night, all winners were awarded championship belts, officially crowning them as UBCL oval champions in their respective weight classes. The finals not only reshaped the league’s hierarchy but also reinforced UBCL’s reputation as a platform where no name is untouchable and every fight must be earned.

As the dust settles on Lugogo’s unforgettable finale, the message from UBCL is clear: on championship night, reputation counts for little—only performance matters.