Ugandan fighter Bogere snubs undercard on Pacquiao night

Hard Puncher. Bogere unleashed a barrage of hard punches and combinations to the head and body from the opening bell enroute to defeating Mexican Luis Rodriguez in one of his last fights. PHOTO BY
DOUGLAS BUGINGO

What you need to know:

  • Fortuna, who contested and lost on split descision after 12 rounds in the International Boxing Federation World Lightweight title against Robert Easter JR last year, will be the second Dominican Republic opponent to face Bogere after Francisco Contreras whom the Ugandan defeated in 2011.

BOSTON. There is more significance to February 9 for Sharif ‘The Lion’ Bogere’s matchup with Javier Fortuna.
It is more than just the honour of fighting on the undercard of WBA welterweight champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao who will be defending his title against Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on January 19.

Bogere was expected to feature on one of the eight undercard fights when the eight-division boxing world champion Pacquiao takes on American Adrien ‘The Problem’ Broner this weekend.
“After weighing several options, we have decided that Bogere will not fight on the Pacquiao card, he will instead fight in February,” Bogere’s manager Jimmy Alex said.

Better deal
“It was not a good deal for us, they have a lot of undercard fights of which some, including ours will not be on live TV.
“I need my boxer to be on Tv so that he can be seen worldwide and if that cannot happen like it is the case here, I opt out and go for other offers. I have already secured another fight for him (Bogere) and it will be live on Showtime Television.”

The undefeated (in six years), unfazed lightweight prospect Uganda prize-fighter Bogere has enjoyed a steady rise through the division’s ranks since first arriving in the Land of Opportunity (2008).
He boasts of an impressive record of 32-1-0 but this will be under a stern test when he faces Fortuna (33-2-1) in a lightweight eliminator fight at the Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, USA on February 9.

Enticing prospect
The record and experience of both fighters is expected to make this fight an enticing prospect.
“Our opponent is tough, we have seen some of his fights, the guy is tough but Bogere is better. I don’t think it is going to be an easy fight for him but he will be able to do better.

“It’s an eliminator contest, meaning that whoever wins, goes for a title in their next fight and we want that to be Bogere,” said Alex.
Fortuna, who contested and lost on split descision after 12 rounds in the International Boxing Federation World Lightweight title against Robert Easter JR last year, will be the second Dominican Republic opponent to face Bogere after Francisco Contreras whom the Ugandan defeated in 2011.

BOGERE NEXT OPPONENT
Bogere (32-1-0) vs. Fortuna (33-2-1)