The much-anticipated featherweight clash between Isaac Masembe and Ezra “The Silent Assassin” Ssali at Supremacy Lounge was thrown into chaos when Ssali failed to appear on fight night, leaving fans, promoters, and officials stunned. For hours, the question lingered: why would Ssali disappear after signing the contract and making weight?

That mystery has now taken a dramatic turn. Sources close to the fighter have revealed that on the very night he was expected to step into the ring against Masembe, Ssali instead boarded a flight to Dubai. His destination? Cobra Kai Fitness Gym, where he fought fellow Ugandan Fahim Mubiru on Sunday, 28th September 2025, as confirmed by BoxRec.

The revelation has sent shockwaves through Ugandan boxing, exposing the conflicting pressures fighters face in their careers. According to insiders, Ssali was lured by a higher payday in Dubai, reportedly more lucrative than the purse offered for the Masembe bout.

Masembe’s camp, who had prepared extensively for the clash, were left disheartened and outraged. “Everything was signed, and we were ready. To learn he chose another fight elsewhere was disappointing and unprofessional,” Masembe’s manager said.

What fueled the fire further was Ssali’s own bold response after the controversy. Commenting on Masembe’s post-fight press conference, the bantamweight star defiantly declared:

“Isaac Masembe, I don’t fear you.”

The decision to abandon the Ugandan main event for an international opportunity raises critical questions:

• Was this about money? Fighters often struggle financially, and a bigger purse may have outweighed loyalty to the original bout.
• Was it about exposure? Fighting in Dubai provided Ssali a chance to showcase his skills on a different stage, perhaps opening doors for his career.
• Or was it avoidance? Skeptics argue that facing a knockout artist like Masembe in featherweight carried risks Ssali wasn’t willing to take.

Regardless of the motivation, the fallout has dented trust in the sport’s integrity and left Ugandan boxing’s reputation under scrutiny. Fans feel betrayed, Masembe was denied his true test, and promoters now face the challenge of restoring confidence.

For Ssali, the gamble has made him both notorious and talked about. While he triumphed in Dubai, his decision to walk away from Masembe on fight night leaves a bitter taste back home.

As the dust settles, one truth remains: the ring doesn’t just test punches — it tests character. And for Ugandan boxing, the question lingers — can bridges burned by “The Silent Assassin” ever be rebuilt?