Sharif Bogere seeks re-match

By James Bakama

Sharif Bogere is crying foul over what he describes as Richard Abril’s dirty fighting tactics.

“When I fight him again and he holds me like Saturday night, I’m gonna pick him up and throw him outta the ring, like Hogan did Rocky!” tweeted Bogere who has called for a re-match.

Bogere and WBA champion Abril had what looked more like a brawl than a title fight at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas on Saturday. Abril went on to retain the lightweight title with a unanimous points decision.

But Bogere who suffered his first loss in 24 fights insists that it could have been a different story if Abril hadn’t been into too much holding.

But Bogere’s critics however argue that holding was the only way the Cuban could have kept the Ugandan in check. They cite two take downs, multiple head butts and wild swinging punches that Bogere unleashed on Abril.

Referee Russell Mora took a point away from Abril in the 8th for holding Bogere. In the 12th, Mora evened things out by taking a point away from Bogere for charging with his head.

Bogere has promised to emerge out of the title fight as a much better boxer. “I’m gonna train harder, learn from my mistakes, I have room to improve,” he told his fans.

“I wanna thank all my fans, I will be back for a World Title in no time, Much love,” promised Bogere in one of his numerous tweets.

A win on Saturday would have had Bogere soaring to heights earlier reached by former Ugandan world champions Ayub Kalule, Boza Edwards, John Mugabi, Kassim Ouma and Jackson Asiku.