Sharif Bogere

Sharif Bogere (born October 8, 1988) is a Ugandan professional boxer in the Lightweight division. He is a one-time WBO NABO Lightweight Champion and was named the 2010 Outstanding Young Male Boxer of the Year. Bogere is currently signed to Mayweather Promotions. Bogere is known for his flamboyant ring entrances and aggressive fighting style. He is currently trained by legendary trainer Kenny Adams.

Early life
Sharif grew up living the first 18 years of his life in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.

Bogere began fighting - unwillingly - when he was 7 years old, fending off thieves and bullies. Bogere beat everyone. Eventually, he made his way into a legitimate gym, where the older veteran boxers took notice of the kid whose shadowboxing looked so fluid and natural. He started spending all of his time at the gym, sometimes practicing for hours without hand wraps or spare change for a drink of water.

This tough upbringing has translated Bogere into maintaining a strong work ethic in and out of the ring as well as a very humble personality.

Amateur career
Sharif was a five-time African Champion and the captain of the Ugandan national boxing team

Bogere finished his amateur career with an astounding record of 68 wins with just 4 losses (68-4-0).

Fighting style
Sharif is an orthodox boxer who has gotten praise from the boxing legend Mike Tyson. "I have watched him four times in Vegas and he seems to possess the potential to go far," Tyson said to BoxingScene. "He’s got speed and agility with some pomp. He is very agile."

Trademark
Sharif is known as "The Lion" and the "Lion Warrior". He is carried to the ring in a cage while wearing a legitimate lions head and skin. The lion head and skin he wears came from a lion that was killed in Africa after it had mauled several people. The reasoning behind this spectacular entrance is that Bogere wanted to do something memorable that would excite the fans as well as pay tribute to his native Ugandan fans where his legacy is becoming cemented as a national hero.

Lightweight
On September 18, 2010 Bogere stopped Mexico's Julian Rodriguez at 1:43 of the second round on the undercard of Shane Mosley vs. Sergio Mora by knockout in round 2, on HBO PPV. He dropped Rodriguez, who was unsteady when he got to his feet and referee called it off.

On May 21, 2010, Bogere continued to make a name for himself when he defeated veteran Ilido Julio handily. Bogere nearly drilled Julio out of the ring in the closing seconds of the first round. Julio refused to come out for the start of the sixth round, remaining on his stool and signaling an end to the onslaught.

Bogere vs. Beltran
On May 13, 2011 Bogere defeated Raymundo Beltran in a bloody, headbutt-filled 10 Round main event, for the vacant WBO NABO lightweight title. He had a clear speed advantage against Beltran. Beltran constantly stalked Bogere, walking through his punches and looking to engage him in close quarters. This worked for Beltran at times, but Bogere came through the fight to win the WBO NABO lightweight title by unanimous decision.

On October 7, 2011 Bogere defended his WBO NABO lightweight title by fighting Francisco Contreras. Contreras was also undefeated in 16 fights with 13 by way of KO. Bogere was constantly in control and by the 3rd round stopped Contreras with a knockout blow to the back of the head. Although controversial, referee Jay Nady deemed it to be legitimate and Bogere retained the WBO NABO lightweight title.

Bogere vs. Abril
After two back-to-back victories against Mexico's Sergio Rivera and Manuel Leyva, Bogere would fight Richar Abril for the unified WBA Lightweight Title on March 2, 2013. The fight was originally scheduled for November 24 on the HBO undercard of Robert Guerrero vs. Andre Berto, however Bogere suffered a partial tear of his left Achilles tendon during training and the fight was postponed.

Abril handed Bogere his first professional defeat. After the fight, it was revealed that Bogere had re-injured his Achilles during a middle round, which severely affected his ability to pull out a victory.

Return from injury
On April 26, 2014, Bogere returned from successful Achilles tendinitis surgery on the Keith Thurman-Julio Diaz undercard. He won his first fight back in action against Arturo Urena, via TKO when Urena's trainer threw in the towel during the sixth round. Just two months later, on June 21, 2014, Bogere would earn another quick victory stopping Miguel Zamudio in the third round on the Robert Guerrero-Yoshihiro Kamegai undercard. Following the victory, Bogere was then again ranked as a top 10 lightweight by The Ring Magazine and ESPN.

On October 30, 2014, Bogere returned to national television with his third straight decisive victory. Live on Fox Sports 1, Bogere knocked out Fernando Garcia in the 5th round with a straight right. Bogere landed an impressive 195 punches out of 498 thrown (39%) in just the five round bout. Garcia landed only 39 out of his 157 thrown (25%). Following this performance, announcers Brian Custer and Paulie Malignaggi agreed that Bogere's speed, sharp offensive combinations and his consistency had put his name into the title shot conversation for a lightweight championship. Bogere sparred with WBO Light Welterweight Champion Chris Algieri out of the Long Life Fighter Gym in Las Vegas in preparation for this fight.

Pursuit of World title
In an interview with Fight-Hype, Bogere exclaimed, "There are some tough guys in my division, but I'm not afraid of any of them. I'm a warrior and a lion and I can take care of any of these guys on any given night."

In an interview with Kawowo Sports, Bogere explained, "I am adamant that I was the better fighter against Abril and he can't ask for a rematch because he knows I will beat him. I have become a much better fighter and I now have been trained to land punches that will finish off my opponent."

At the 2015 WBC Convention, his promoter Oscar De La Hoya stated, "The Lion is going to eat someone up in 2015 and it's going to be a big year for Sharif. It's going to be Lion time."

In a documentary piece shown by The Africa Channel, Shane Mosley praised Bogere, stating that "I noticed right off when I watched him working that he's very strong - physically strong. Not only that, but mentally strong. When he gets in there he's very determined, regardless of whether he takes a couple shots or not, he's coming right back. He is one of the best fighters out there. He needs a chance at a title, in my opinion."

In September 2015, the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and The Ring Magazine have Bogere ranked as high as 3rd in the world in the lightweight division.

Professional record

 * style="text-align:center;" colspan="8"|32 Wins (20 knockouts, 12 decisions),  2 Loss, 0 Draws, 1 No Contest
 * - style="text-align:center; background:#e3e3e3;"
 * - style="text-align:center; background:#e3e3e3;"
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Result
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Record
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Opponent
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Date
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Result
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Time
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Location
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Notes
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * align='center'|31–1–1
 * align=left|🇲🇽 Arturo Santos Reyes
 * January 27 2018
 * align='left'|UD 10
 * align='left'|3:00
 * align=left| Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, USA
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|30–1–1
 * align=left|🇲🇽 Jose Luis Rodriguez
 * October 21 2017
 * align='left'|UD 10
 * align='left'|3:00
 * align=left| Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, USA
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|29–1–1
 * align=left|🇨🇴 Luis Eduardo Florez
 * September 16 2016
 * align='left'|TKO 5
 * align='left'|2:05
 * align=left| Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, USA
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|28–1–1
 * align=left|🇬🇭 Samuel Amoako
 * April 30 2016
 * align='left'|UD 10
 * align='left'|3:00
 * align=left| Armory, Washington, USA
 * -align=left
 * style="background:#ddd;"|NC
 * align='center'|27–1
 * align=left|🇲🇽 Jose Daniel Ruiz
 * August 21 2015
 * NC
 * 2 (10)
 * align=left| Plaza 28 de Julio, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
 * - align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|27–1
 * align=left|🇲🇽 Joksan Hernandez
 * April 24 2015
 * align='left'|KO 2
 * N/A
 * align=left| Foro Polanco, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|26–1
 * Fernando Garcia
 * October 30 2014
 * align='left'|KO 5
 * align='left'|2:30
 * Memorial Hall, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|25–1
 * Miguel Zamudio
 * June 21 2014
 * align='left'|RTD 3
 * align='left'|3:00
 * StubHub Center, Carson, California, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|24–1
 * Arturo Urena
 * April 26 2014
 * align='left'|TKO 6
 * align='left'|0:50
 * StubHub Center, Carson, California, United States
 * align='left'|First fight back since Achilles injury (420 days).
 * -align=left
 * Loss
 * align='center'|23–1
 * Richar Abril
 * March 02 2013
 * align='left'|UD 12
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * align='left'|For vacant WBA Lightweight Title.
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|23–0
 * Manuel Leyva
 * June 02 2012
 * align='left'|KO 2
 * align='left'|0:38
 * Home Deport Center, Carson, California, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|22–0
 * Sergio Rivera
 * February 25 2012
 * align='left'|TKO 3
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Scottrade, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
 * align=left|Co-main event of Adrien Broner-Eloy Perez.
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|21–0
 * Francisco Contreras
 * October 07 2011
 * align='left'|KO 3
 * align='left'|2:01
 * Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * align=left|Retained WBO NABO Lightweight Title.
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|20–0
 * Raymundo Beltran
 * May 13 2011
 * align='left'|UD 10
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada, United States
 * align=left|Won vacant WBO NABO Lightweight Title.
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|19–0
 * Shamir Reyes
 * March 04 2011
 * align='left'|KO 1
 * align='left'|2:37
 * Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|18–0
 * Christopher Fernandez
 * December 11 2010
 * align='left'|UD 8
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * align='left'|Undercard of Amir Khan-Marcos Maidana.
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|17–0
 * Julian Rodriguez
 * Sep 18, 2010
 * align='left'|KO 2
 * align='left'|1:43
 * Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
 * align='left'|
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|16–0
 * Ilido Julio
 * May 21 2010
 * align='left'|RTD 5
 * align='left'|0:10
 * Chisholm Trail Mural Parking Lot, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|15–0
 * Martin Tucker
 * April 06 2010
 * align='left'|RTD 1
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Rio Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|14–0
 * Jose Hernandez
 * February 26 2010
 * align='left'|TKO 3
 * align='left'|0:44
 * Don Haskins Convention Center, El Paso, Texas, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|13–0
 * Cristian Favela
 * December 17 2009
 * align='left'|UD 6
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Commerce Casino, Commerce, California, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|12–0
 * Rodolfo Armenta
 * August 07 2009
 * align='left'|TKO 2
 * align='left'|1:07
 * Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|11–0
 * Mike Gonzalez
 * July 17 2009
 * align='left'|UD 6
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|10–0
 * Broderick Antoine
 * June 12 2009
 * align='left'|UD 6
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|9–0
 * Kevin Carmody
 * May 16 2009
 * align='left'|TKO 2
 * align='left'|0:40
 * Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|8–0
 * Marcos Herrera
 * May 08 2009
 * align='left'|TKO 2
 * align='left'|2:43
 * Plaza Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|7–0
 * Courtney Landis
 * April 24 2009
 * align='left'|KO 1
 * align='left'|2:33
 * Scottrade Center, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|6–0
 * Carlos Small
 * February 14 2009
 * align='left'|UD 4
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|5–0
 * Manny Cotrich
 * January 09 2009
 * align='left'|TKO 2
 * align='left'|0:42
 * Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|4–0
 * Mike Peralta
 * October 31 2008
 * align='left'|UD 4
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|3–0
 * Alejandro Lopez
 * September 19 2008
 * align='left'|UD 4
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|2–0
 * Reymundo Hernandez
 * April 19 2008
 * align='left'|TKO 1
 * align='left'|0:41
 * Civic Arena, Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|1–0
 * Ed Lee Humes
 * April 05 2008
 * align='left'|KO 1
 * align='left'|1:09
 * Prairie Band Casino & Resort, Mayetta, Kansas, United States
 * align=left|Professional debut.
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|4–0
 * Mike Peralta
 * October 31 2008
 * align='left'|UD 4
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|3–0
 * Alejandro Lopez
 * September 19 2008
 * align='left'|UD 4
 * align='left'|3:00
 * Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|2–0
 * Reymundo Hernandez
 * April 19 2008
 * align='left'|TKO 1
 * align='left'|0:41
 * Civic Arena, Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States
 * -align=left
 * Win
 * align='center'|1–0
 * Ed Lee Humes
 * April 05 2008
 * align='left'|KO 1
 * align='left'|1:09
 * Prairie Band Casino & Resort, Mayetta, Kansas, United States
 * align=left|Professional debut.
 * Win
 * align='center'|1–0
 * Ed Lee Humes
 * April 05 2008
 * align='left'|KO 1
 * align='left'|1:09
 * Prairie Band Casino & Resort, Mayetta, Kansas, United States
 * align=left|Professional debut.

Titles in boxing
Minor world title:
 * WBO NABO Lightweight World Champion (135 lbs) - 5/13/2011 to 3/2/2013 (660 days)

In other media
In a 2009 episode of Sports Soup, Versus showed a clip of Bogere clipping opponent Rodolfo Armenta with a flurry of punches, causing him to lose his footing. Host Matt Iseman joked that that was the "first time he'd seen a guy get hit so hard, he contracted polio."

Entrance themes

 * "Talk Is Cheap" by Blaq Fuego (March 2, 2013 – present)
 * "Stronger" by Nubia (August 7, 2009 - July 2, 2012)
 * "Warrior Lion" by Blaq Fuego (April 5, 2008 – July 17, 2009)