Uganda's hotshot Sharif 'The Lion' Bogere resumes his mission of winning a world title in Las Vegas tomorrow morning.
The 22-year-old boxer faces Francisco Contreras at the Dallas Events Centre. Although he will be defending his NABO lightweight title in a 10-round affair, Bogere is approaching it as a tune-up to a world crown. "My ultimate goal is to become a world champion," Bogere told the media early this week.
Luckily for the Ugandan, he will have a huge crowd backing in the town he now calls home. "This is my hometown fight," Bogere said. "I don't have to travel. I'll get to sleep in my own bed. My friends and family will be there watching.
I'm going to welcome him (Contreras) to Las Vegas and then I'm going to send him packing with a knockout." Since turning professional, Bogere has won all his 20 fights. He has recorded 12 knock-out victories. But the man he faces has an equally impressive record, winning all his 16 contests, including 12 knockouts.
Bogere has conquered several hearts with his punching power.
"I know that boxing is about entertaining and that people who pay to watch boxing want to be entertained. They want to have fun. I'll have the lion's head and skin brought in again. It's all part of the show," he said of his trademark attire.
Back home, super bantamweight Sande 'Swico' Kizito, is heading to Burkina Faso to contest for the vacant Africa Boxing Union (ABU) title. The 1999 All-Africa Games gold medallist, who is eighth in this month's World Boxing Authority (WBA) rankings, takes on Pan African super bantamweight belt holder Alexis Boureima Kabore on October 14. It's a tough call for the Ugandan as he will be facing Kabore in his home city - Ouagadougou.
"Lifting an African title is my dream. Am confident that l will come back home with the title," Kizito, who departs on Sunday, said yesterday. Uganda Professional Boxing Commission president Celestino Mindra challenged the boxer to get more fights and keep fit.
