Renowned African matchmaker Faisal Ashinda has strongly criticized Mafia Boxing Promotion following the controversial defeat of Ugandan boxer Joshua Tusingwire in Dar-Es-Salaam, raising serious concerns about fighter treatment, contractual integrity, and competitive fairness.

Tusingwire suffered an RTD loss in the 4th round to Tanzania’s Ibrahim Mafia on December 10, 2025, at Mafia Arena, marking the first stoppage loss of his professional career and his first defeat in six fights. While the outcome itself drew scrutiny due to weight and venue disadvantages, Ashinda’s remarks have added a new and troubling dimension to the aftermath.

Ashinda’s Allegations: “We Did Not Agree to a Losing Fight”

Speaking in response to the bout, Ashinda — widely regarded as one of Africa’s most respected matchmakers — alleged that Tusingwire was pressured not to continue the fight after the fourth round.

“We didn’t agree to a losing fight with them. They forced him not to continue after round four, threatening not to pay him if he stood up for round five,” Ashinda stated.
“This is cheating. We use a lot of money to build these records.”

Ashinda’s comments suggest that the RTD outcome may not have been purely the result of physical inability, but rather external pressure tied to financial obligations, a claim that, if substantiated, would represent a serious breach of professional boxing ethics.

Context: A Fight Already Under Heavy Criticism

Even before Ashinda’s intervention, the bout had drawn criticism due to its uneven conditions. Tusingwire, naturally a super featherweight (130 lbs) ranked 2/15 in Uganda and 233/2060 worldwide, was required to cut down to super bantamweight (122 lbs) — below his competitive comfort zone.

By contrast, Ibrahim Mafia is a natural bantamweight, making the move upward significantly less demanding. Combined with home advantage, local promotion control, and Tusingwire’s first-ever fight outside Uganda, the matchup was already viewed as heavily tilted.

Ashinda’s remarks now raise the possibility that administrative and promotional pressure compounded those disadvantages inside the ring.

Serious Questions for the Sport

While Mafia Boxing Promotion has not publicly responded to Ashinda’s claims, the allegations touch on issues that continue to challenge boxing across developing markets:

• Fighter payment security
• Promotional influence over fight outcomes
• Protection of visiting boxers
• Transparency in bout agreements

If fighters fear non-payment for continuing a bout, experts warn that it undermines both fighter safety and sporting credibility.

Impact on Joshua Tusingwire’s Career

For Tusingwire, the loss remains officially recorded as an RTD defeat — his first stoppage loss after 10 professional bouts. However, Ashinda’s statements may prompt closer scrutiny of the circumstances under which the fight ended.

Despite the setback, boxing analysts maintain that the Ugandan remains a viable and developing contender, particularly if he returns to his natural super featherweight division and avoids similarly unbalanced matchups.

A Call for Accountability

Ashinda’s criticism goes beyond a single fight. It serves as a warning to fighters, managers, and federations about the risks of accepting bouts without airtight contractual protections, especially on foreign soil.

As the boxing community awaits a response from Mafia Boxing Promotion, one thing is clear: the conversation has shifted from what happened in the ring to what may have happened behind the scenes.

For Joshua Tusingwire, recovery will depend not only on physical rebuilding, but also on ensuring that future opportunities are governed by fair terms, transparent agreements, and professional accountability — principles that remain essential to the integrity of the sport.