The much-anticipated featherweight showdown between Isaac Masembe and Ezra “The Silent Assassin” Ssali took an unexpected twist on fight night, leaving fans stunned and officials scrambling. After a buzzing undercard at Supremacy Lounge, all eyes turned to the main event — only for Ssali to fail to appear at the venue.

Organizers were forced to draft in late replacement Abdul Kasozi aka Kalevu, ensuring the night’s headline slot was filled, but the mystery of Ssali’s disappearance overshadowed the contest.

Masembe’s camp expressed bitter disappointment. “We were shocked. Everything was signed, and we were ready for Ssali. To find out at fight time that he wasn’t around was very disappointing,” Masembe’s manager revealed.

The question now dominates Uganda’s boxing circles: why would Ssali vanish on fight day, despite signing a contract and making weight the previous day?

Several theories are circulating:

• Health Concerns: Some insiders suggest he may have experienced last-minute medical issues, possibly from pushing his body into a higher weight class.
• Mental Pressure: Others point to the psychological toll of stepping into featherweight against a knockout artist like Masembe — nerves and fear of defeat may have played a role.
• Camp Disagreements: Unconfirmed whispers hint at possible disagreements between Ssali’s team and the promoter, which could have triggered a sudden withdrawal.
• Logistical or Personal Emergency: It’s also possible Ssali faced unavoidable personal issues on the day, forcing him to stay away.

At this point, however, nothing has been confirmed. Neither Ssali’s camp nor the event promoter has released a statement, leaving fans hungry for answers.

For Masembe, who prepared diligently and carried the weight of expectations, the change of opponent disrupted both strategy and spectacle. For Ugandan boxing, the incident raises concerns about professionalism, reliability, and the reputation of fighters on the regional stage.

Until Ssali and his team break their silence, the mystery lingers. Fight fans are left asking: did fear, conflict, or circumstance keep the bantamweight king from facing the featherweight beast?