Legendary trainer Russell heaps praise on Ugandan ‘Lion’ Bogere
Bogere keeps his eyes firmly glued on Fernando Garcia in their non-title fight on Friday. The Ugandan knocked out his Mexican opponent in the 5th round. Photo by Douglas Bugingo
What you need to know:
Boxing. Russell was the head coach of James “Buster” Douglas in that famous February 11, 1990 fight in Tokyo Japan when Douglas knocked down Mike Tyson to claim the Heavyweight title of the World
Plymouth.
Legendary boxing coach John Russell believes that Sharif “The Lion” Bogere can be the next big name in the lightweight division of professional boxing.
Russell flew from Arizona so that he could be part of the supporting team for Bogere who was fighting in the co-main event, Thursday night at the Memorial Hall, Plymouth in Massachusetts.
“He is good, he has a great jab and punches nice,” said Russell after Bogere had knocked down his opponent.
The Ugandan pugilist who now resides in Nevada, Las Vegas exhibited great form and class before knocking down his Mexican opponent, Fernando Garcia after two minutes and ten seconds into the fifth round to improve his career to 26 (17) -1-0.
Garcia, who on paper appeared marginally more formidable with a record of 30 (18)-6-2, failed to handle Bogere who launched his attack with right uppercuts followed by a couple of combinations in the belly area and left hooks that saw Garcia kiss the canvas twice, (2 and 5) before referee Mike Marvell finally stopped the fight.
“This guy can fight for a title right now. He is a seasoned fighter who can fight whoever is ready to face him,” said Russell.
Russell was the head coach of James “Buster” Douglas in that famous February 11, 1990 fight in Tokyo Japan when Douglas knocked down Mike Tyson in the 10th round to claim the Heavyweight title of the World. Once in a while Russell who’s a good friend to Kenny Adams (Bogere’s coach) offers some tips to the Ugandan boxer.
“I was in camp with Bogere and the rest of his coaching staff during preparations for the title fight against Richard Abril,” Russell said who also coached Hector Kamacho.
The fight sanctioned by the Massachusetts Athletic Commission, also televised live on Fox Sport 1, was a tune up for Bogere and his coach too was excited by the result.
“Everything went as planned. I told him to his opponent hard especially in the belly area and he did that. His movements in the ring are also good and his use of the jab has improved,” Adams disclosed.
