By James Bakama

Vacant WBA Lightweight Title

S. Bogere v R. Abril (March 2nd)

A new venue has been secured for Sharif Bogere’s World Boxing Association title fight against Cuban Richard Abril.

The fight that was initially supposed to in Las Vegas last November but was postponed after Bogere got injured, will now take place at the Apollo Theatre in New York.

Located in Harlem in the New York City, the Apollo Theater is a historic hall mainly associated with African-American performers.

A win for Bogere will have him joining that exclusive club of Ugandan boxers to have punched their way to world titles. The others are Ayub Kalule, Boza Edwards, John “The Beast” Mugabi, Kassim “The Dream” Ouma and Jackson “Action” Asiku.

“I am doing fine. The new venue shouldn’t be an issue. I am set,” said Bogere, who has for over a month been training at his base in Las Vegas.

The Ugandan, ranked second and third by WBO and WBA respectively, is undefeated in 25 fights with a total of 15 knockouts. His Cuban opponent, who has 17 wins, three losses and one draw, is WBA’s top contender.

Ouma was the last Ugandan boxer to win a world title. He beat USA’s Verno Phillips by a unanimous points decision at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas to win the IBF light middleweight title in 2004.

Ouma however lost the title the following year to Roman Karmazin. The Ugandan’s attempt to regain the title in 2006 ended in defeat to Jermain Taylor in Little Rock Arkansas.