boxing 2 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Juuko Warns Against Merging Amateur and Pro Boxing
Retired boxer Justin Juuko has voiced strong opposition to the National Sports Act 2023's mandate to govern both amateur and professional boxing under a single body, citing safety concerns and historical precedent. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/boxing/juuko-mixing-amateur-and-pro-boxing-is-dangerous-5581150
Former professional boxer Justin Juuko has entered the debate surrounding the unification of amateur and professional boxing governance in Uganda. He argues that merging the two disciplines under one national body, as mandated by the National Sports Act 2023, is inherently dangerous and detrimental to the sport.
Juuko, now a trainer in California, believes that the fundamental differences between amateur and professional boxing make a unified governing structure unsafe, particularly for younger amateur athletes. He pointed to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) past issues with the International Boxing Association (IBA) attempting to oversee both segments as a cautionary tale.
“Professional boxing is business,” Juuko stated during a recent stakeholders’ meeting. “We sign fight contracts, and we are called fighters because we are paid to fight. You don’t mix both aspects. It’s unsafe for the amateurs, who are usually younger.”
He highlighted that amateur boxing, especially with its age categories for juniors and youths, prioritizes safety and skill development. Introducing prize money, as seen in recent IBA youth tournaments, could incentivize risky behavior and overlook the legal and developmental needs of young boxers who cannot sign contracts. In contrast, professional boxing involves higher stakes, different physical demands, and contractual obligations where fighter safety can be compromised.
Juuko also criticized the current leadership of the Uganda Boxing Federation, attributing the Ugandan team’s poor performance at the recent Commonwealth Games to mismanagement. He drew parallels to a declining school’s performance, suggesting that the headmaster, or in this case, the federation boss, should be replaced. Juuko expressed embarrassment at Uganda’s lack of recent international success, emphasizing that each country must address its own challenges rather than citing general continental issues.