Bogere ‘The Lion’ takes on Velázquez, Uganda

Bogere is eager to earn a comeback win since an injury derailed his career growth last year.

What you need to know:

Boxing. The Ugandan’s youthful exuberance will face questions from the experience of Hector Velázquez Martínez

Kampala.

US-based Ugandan lightweight Sharif Bogere, 24(16KOs)-1 returns to the ring tonight with a bout against experienced Mexican Hector Velázquez Martínez,39 at StubHub Center in Carson, California, USA.

After an eight-round undercard of welterweights Robert Guerrero and Yoshihiro Kamegai, Bogere’s youthful exuberance will face questions from the experience of Velázquez, 56(38KOs)-21-3 and the 25-year old is just ready to rumble. He told Saturday Monitor midweek; “I’m just ready, waiting for the hour to fight. Insha Allah....”

This will be Bogere’s second fight in two months after shaking off an Achilles tendon injury that had side-lined him for 13 months. He only returned to the ring on April 26 this year to defeat Mexican Arturo Urena by a technical knockout in an eight-rounder.

Bogere ‘The Lion’ suffered his first professional loss, a 12-round bout by unanimous decision to WBA World lightweight titlist Richar ‘The Tiger’ Abril of Cuba on March 2 last year - an encounter that most dubbed ‘awkward’ because both fighters showcased much rough stuff like head-butting and holding. The nasty bits prompted referee Russel Mora to continously deduct points from the pair. Bogere felt robbed of the victory and his revival was slowed by the long injury lay-off.

BOGERE PROFILE
Full name: Sharif Bogere
Born: October 8, 1988 (age 25)
Amateur: 68-4-0
Professional: 24(16KOs)-1

Won: WBO NABO Lightweight title on May 13, 2011