26 July 2021 | Olympics

Ugandan boxer David Kavuma Ssemujju faces familiar foe Younes Nemouchi from Algeria in the Tokyo Olympics men’s middleweight round of 32 on Monday.

Ssemujju meets Nemouchi for the second time after their bout at the 2020 African Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament that was held in Diamniadio, Senegal from 20 to 29 February 2020.

The Ugandan seeks revenge after losing the semifinal 4-1 to Nemouchi who went on to claim gold in the category thanks to his 4-1 final victory over Congolese David Tshama.

Speaking ahead of the fight, Ssemujju says he has prepared enough to upset his nemesis. “I am ready mentally and physically to outcompete this guy and take my revenge as well,” he said.

“I lost to him in Dakar and since then I feel I have made enough revision to do a boxing retake. One of our coaches (Patrick Lihanda) is a two time Olympic and he has given me all sorts of skills I can use to win the fight.”

Nemouchi - who booked his ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after eliminating fourth placed Ssemujju last year - is 27 years old with a record of 18 fights, 12 wins (2 KOs) and 6 losses. 

Ssemujju has racked up 6 wins and 4 losses in 10 fights. Among those is a loss he suffered at the hands of England’s Luke McCormack in the Men’s 64kg round of 32 at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

The 28 year-old qualified for the Tokyo Olympics through the IOC boxing task force rankings. He also represented Uganda at the Rabat Africa Games in 2019, attaining rank 2.

The winner of this bout will progress to the round of 16 where they will meet Filipino boxer, also 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist - Eumir Felix Marcial who got a bye.

When to watch Ssemujju compete at the Tokyo Olympics;

Men's Middleweight (69-75kg) Round of 32

Date and Time: Mon 26 July (12:18pm EAT)

Venue: Ryōgoku Kokugikan

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