KAMPALA, UGANDA – Ugandan welterweight prospect Shakur “Topboy” Mugambe of Zebra Mando Promotion walked away with a unanimous decision victory on Saturday night, but not without enduring one of the toughest tests of his young career.

The fight, staged at the NCS Arena in Lugogo during the Kampala Rumble, pitted the highly regarded Topboy against Congolese challenger Dast Mandefu, a boxer who brought relentless pace and speed into the eight-round contest.

Mandefu’s aggressive start and clever control of distance forced Mugambe to dig deep, showing both grit and adaptability. Despite his trademark power being neutralized for much of the fight, the 23-year-old Ugandan stayed composed, landing enough accurate counters and maintaining ring generalship to convince the judges.

All three scorecards went in Mugambe’s favor, confirming a unanimous decision (UD) win and preserving his upward trajectory in the welterweight division.

Currently, Mugambe is ranked 6th out of 20 active welterweights in Uganda and sits 736th among 2,011 globally—a placement that reflects both his growing potential and the steep road ahead in international boxing.

Speaking after the fight, Mugambe admitted it was no easy night:

“Mandefu pushed me in ways I haven’t experienced before. He was fast, smart, and strong, but I stayed disciplined. This win taught me that not every fight will be about power—I had to use my head more than my fists tonight.”

His coach, Zebra Mando, praised his fighter’s resilience but also noted room for growth:

“We knew Mandefu would come to test us, and he did exactly that. Shakur showed heart and patience. But to reach the top levels, we need to polish his defense and improve his finishing. Nights like this are valuable lessons.”

Zebra Mando Promotion, the camp behind Mugambe, believes the fight will only boost his career prospects.

“Uganda has a rising star in Topboy,” a spokesperson said. “He’s still young, still learning, but fights like this prepare him for international opportunities. We are proud of how he handled himself under pressure.”

While his victory keeps him in the conversation among Uganda’s most promising fighters, the stern challenge from Mandefu was a reminder that climbing the professional ranks demands more than just raw talent.

For Mugambe, the night was less about an easy win and more about proving his resilience under fire. Fans and analysts alike believe this experience could mark a turning point in his development, sharpening him for bigger fights on both the domestic and international stage.