Kassim “the Dream” Ouma and the WBA Middleweight Title Fight With Gennady Golovkin: Preview

The statistics suggest that Uganda boxer, a former title holder of the prestigious IBF (International Boxing Federation) junior middleweight title Kassim “the Dream” Ouma is very determined and heavily training to regain his universal status. The fact is borne out in Ouma’s middleweight-class technical knocking out of tall Joey Gilbert in the 6th round of his latest fight of September 25th 2010, in Reno in Nevada. Joey Gilbert, though relatively age-advanced in boxing at 35, previously possessed the commendable boxing record of 20 wins (with 15 knockouts) and 2 losses. Gilbert’s defeating by Ouma spelled his first loss by knockout. Here, Ouma captured the vacant and relatively prestigious NABA (North American Boxing Association) in the middleweight division.

Ouma’s training residence is now Riverside in California, roughly 60 miles east of Los Angeles; a far cry from eastern coastal Florida where Ouma was known to prepare for his battles. Ouma now trains at the Capital Punishment Boxing Club. The change in management and training venue partly stems from the need to switch circumstances and location that was encouraged after Ouma lost a succession of fights, not long after capturing the world title. Ouma claims that ever since the move, he has not suffered any “distractions.”

Kassim Ouma (27-7-1, 17 knockouts) is next scheduled to be at the Arena Roberto Duran in Panama City to challenge WBA (World Boxing Association) middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (20-0, 17 knockouts) for the prestigious title. It will happen on Friday, June 17th 2011. But it will not be easy for Ouma; this will undoubtedly be one of his biggest battles. Golovkin who is from Kazakhstan and is based in Germany, is a well-built and strong commendable cautious boxer who delivers that rocking early rounds’ knock-out in the tradition of such boxers as John “the Beast” Mugabi and Teofilo Stevenson. That undefeated Golovkin has delivered a 85% knockout record, is quite imposing. But Ouma evidently has the stamina to hold on until the end of all the 12 rounds. Yet, some contend that Ouma lost much of his steam after his WBC middleweight fight that he lost to Jermaine Taylor.

Facing such a formidable Golovkin would require Ouma to adapt a hit-and-run-and-hold style, in the way “Sugar” Ray Charles Leonard managed to outbox the much stronger and dangerous Marvelous Marvin Hagler. The bout with Golovkin is good news for Ouma and his native Uganda. Since Ouma won the IBF Junior Middleweight title in October 2004, and lost to Jermaine Taylor for the WBC middleweight title in December 2006, Ugandan boxers have not had a shot at boxing titles of such prestige. Ouma is now 32, Golovkin is 28; this may be Ouma’s last contention for a top three (WBC, IBF, and WBA) world governing bodies’ titles.

Ouma is notable for having been abducted into guerrilla soldiery when he was a child in Uganda.