From winning Uganda’s first major corporate boxing event to fighting in Kenya, Shakib Cham Lutaaya‘s journey inside the ring has transformed him into one of East Africa’s most recognisable celebrity fighters.
The businessman and socialite launched his corporate boxing career with a victory over media personality JK Kazoora before suffering a knockout defeat to musician Rickman Manrick.
Rather than walking away from the sport, he returned stronger, stopping Dubai-based socialite Barista Timo in the first round before travelling to Nairobi, where he defeated Kenyan singer Arrow Bwoy by technical knockout.
Those experiences, Shakib says, convinced him that corporate boxing has a future beyond Uganda.
Speaking on NBS Sport, he revealed that passion first attracted him to the sport, but watching corporate boxing flourish in other countries made him realise it could also become a lucrative career.
I went into corporate boxing because of my passion, but I also want to benefit from it because there is money in it. We have seen Americans do it and earn millions of dollars.
Shakib believes Uganda has fallen behind countries that have embraced celebrity boxing as both sport and entertainment, pointing to South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya as examples of markets where public figures regularly step into the ring.
In South Africa, Cassper Nyovest, who is a musician, has competed in corporate boxing with other musicians. In Nigeria, there are people like Portable. They always have corporate fights. Corporate boxing events have also been happening in Nairobi. So why not Uganda?
His ambitions now stretch far beyond adding another victory to his record.
Shakib wants to carry Uganda’s corporate boxing brand across the region, even as he admits the sport still receives limited support at home.
I want to take corporate boxing to other countries, representing myself as Uganda’s corporate fighter. Even though Uganda does not support us, the support we receive from Ugandans is enough, and we appreciate it.
Having fought in both Uganda and Kenya, Shakib believes corporate boxing can become one of the country’s next major entertainment exports.
With more high-profile bouts already on his radar, including potential clashes with local stars, he hopes his journey will encourage more celebrities to step into the ring and help elevate the sport to a bigger stage.
We are trying as much as we can to promote Uganda in different countries in every way possible. For me, I do that through corporate boxing, and that is how I promote Uganda internationally.
Why did Shakib Cham Lutaaya get into corporate boxing in the first place?
Listen to him explain 👇#NBSLTS #NBSportUpdates pic.twitter.com/Ra8OIBlsYz
— NBS Sport (@NBSportUg) July 3, 2026