Bogere plots for World title crown

Oct 26, 2012

SHOULD Bogere beat Cuban Richard Abril, he will become the seventh Ugandan professional boxer to win a major world title.

By James Bakama

World Boxing Association Lightweight title fight

Sharif Bogere v Richard Abril

AFTER Stephen Kiprotich’s historic gold medal at the London Olympics, Uganda has yet another opportunity to hit global headlines.

Boxer Shariff Bogere will next week take a shot at the vacant World Boxing Association lightweight title.

Should Bogere beat Cuban Richard Abril, he will become the seventh Ugandan professional boxer to win a major world title.

Ayub Kalule, Boza Edwards, John “The Beast” Mugabi, Kassim “The Dream” Ouma and Jackson Asiku are the other Ugandans who have punched their way to world titles.

Bogere and Abril will square off at the Cosmopolitan Centre, which is also in Las Vegas like Caesers Palace where Ouma won the IBF light middleweight title in 2004.

“It’s great to get such an opportunity. I will definitely give it my best shot,” said Bogere who also resides in Las Vegas. 

Bogere (23-0, 15 KO), nicknamed “The Lion”, last year beat Francisco Contreras to win the North American Boxing Organisation title.

Abril (17-3-1,8KO) is the top ranked fighter in the WBA rankings while Bogere is third. Briton Gavin Rees is rated second.

Most Cuban boxers have defected to go professional over the past decade amid considerable fanfare for outstanding amateur careers. 

However, this wasn’t the case for Abril, a very good former amateur in his own right, having fought over 200 bouts.

On October 22, 2011, Abril defeated Miguel Acosta in the 12th round by unanimous decision for the interim WBA lightweight title.

After a proposed bout with Cuban superstar Yuriorkis Gamboa fell through, Brandon Rios agreed to face off with Richard Abril on April 14, 2012 in Las Vegas. 

In a controversial split-decision, Rios maintained his winning streak despite most fans and analysists believing Abril comprehensively won the fight.

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