World kickboxing champion plans Thai onslaught

World Kick-boxing Federation middleweight champion, Golola Moses has his eyes trained on the Thailand low-kick national title as he inches closer to finishing the establishment of a kickboxing academy back home in Uganda.

Moses, who added the African Muay Thai title to his name during the Xtra Kombat Africa fight series held in Nairobi, said Tuesday the anticipated bout scheduled for January 2017 will probably be his most difficult fight ever.

"I know it will be tough for me since the officials from Thailand have only sent me an intimidating photo of my expected opponent whose name I don't even know, and since I cannot even research on him from the internet, I will go to Thailand for intensive training in two weeks' time ahead of the fight," he told Xinhua in Nairobi.

Moses overcame a spirited challenge from Tanzania's Emmanuel Shija to win in the five-round bout that was the key highlight of the inaugural Xtra Kombat Africa fight series.

During the bout, Shija brought Moses down before the Ugandan sprung to his feet to find Shija unprepared for a double punch on target in the third round to the applause of the Ugandan and Kenyan fans that had waited all afternoon to cheer him on.

The Ugandan disclosed his plans of establishing a martial arts academy in Uganda that will be used to groom talent in the region, adding that Kenya will be a major beneficiary of the academy.

"The academy is already under construction, the coaches will be hosted in Kenya because the Thai Embassy is located in Nairobi and therefore the only gateway," Moses said.

He said the Golola Talent Academy which sits on a one acre piece of land at Kawempe along Bombo road in eastern Uganda will be the first-ever kickboxing academy in the region and will not only help in developing the sport but also enhance diplomatic ties between Kenya, Uganda and Thailand. Endit