James Bakama Kampala Ayoub Kalule has for two agonising years been waiting for a world title shot. Blame it on boxing politics. No champion is willing to put his title on the line in a title defence with this ferocious Ugandan. But Kalule, who has blazed past 31 opponents to become light middleweight top contender, finally gets justice. Not even the three weeks notice that other fighters would take as an ambush shakes him.
Time flies and before long, it is fight day.
Homeboy Kudo has to prove his worth in a 15 round contest before 10,000 spectators in the northern Japanese city of Lakita. The protagonists leave the dressing rooms and mount the ring amidst thunderous cheers for Kudo, whose massive oriental supporters muffle Kalule's few fans. American referee Robert Ferraro takes the pugilists through formalities and the first gong goes. The first rounds are dull with the fighters mainly sizing up. In the fifth, Kalule sees an opening and pounces with three unanswered right jabs.