Bogere roars after new match date for Cuban

Bogere’s nickname is ‘The Lion’. He wears a lion outfit and is transported inside of a cage during his ring walk. This entrance has gained him popularity.

Kampala

Sharif ‘The Lion’ Bogere has vowed he will make the most of his chance to defeat Richard Abril in their vacant WBA Lightweight Boxing title fight on March 2, 2013.

The two were set to fight last month but the clash was called off after Bogere suffered partial tear of his left Achilles tendon. “I have been waiting for this moment and it’s a dream come true,” Bogere said.

In his last fight eight months ago, Abril defeated Brandon Rios. Bogere was one of the guests on the night. “When he beat Rios, I was there. I watched the fight. (And from what I saw,) Abril is a good fighter. He has the skill but I do too,” the 24-year old said. Bogere has also said that he will not allow Abril to employ his infamous grabbing tactics.

Impressive record
Bogere boasts of a 23-0-15KOs record while Abril, six years older, has 17-3-1- 8KOs. “When you look at my record on paper, you can think it was a walk in the park,” Bogere said. “The more I knocked out opponents the more the demand to work harder grew and the hunger for a world title started coming in.”

Bogere won his first international title when he defeated Raymundo Beltran to win the vacant WBO North American Boxing Organisation (Nabo) lightweight title in May last year. He defended it five months later against Francisco Contreras, who he knocked out in the third round. “After this fight, the fans will know who Sharif ‘The Lion’ Bogere is,” warned the 5tf, 6in fighter.

Bogere has boxed 79 rounds and his knockout record stands at 66.22% compared to Abril who has managed 122 rounds with a 38.1% knockout record. The Ugandan fights under the world renowned Golden Boy Promotions owned by former world champion Oscar De La Hoya.

ckyazze@ug.nationmedia.com