Bogere Comes in Like a Lion

It might be the most unusual ring walk in boxing.

When Sharif Bogere leaves his dressing room, he is wearing the head and mane of an African lion and is carried to the ring in a cage by four well-built men dressed as African tribesmen. In front of them is a sexy, bikini-clad woman singing African tribal songs.

It's quite a production, and it usually takes longer than it does for Bogere to finish off his opponent.

Bogere, a rising junior welterweight star from Uganda who is 9-0 with six knockouts, is one of the featured attractions on Sterling McPherson's fight card Friday at the Palms. He'll face Broderick Antoine (5-7-1, four KOs) in the Pearl Concert Theater, with the main event pitting former world super bantamweight champion Clarence "Bones" Adams against Alex Baba in a 10-round featherweight bout. The first bell is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

"I think it's fantastic," Bogere said of his prefight routine. "It's no distraction. All I think about is the fight."

Credit Jimmy Alex, Bogere's manager, for coming up with the gimmick.

"Coming from Africa, the strongest animal is the lion," Alex said. "This particular lion hurt some people, so they killed it. I had it shipped to the States, and now it's part of Sharif."

Bogere was wildly popular in Uganda. He was captain of his country's national team and was a five-time African champion. However, when he came to Chicago in November 2007 to compete in the Olympic box-offs, Bogere disappeared after he lost his bout. He sought political asylum, and while he knew he was taking a big risk at the time by walking out on his nation, his desire to live his life the way he wanted was more important.

"My whole life, I fought with the idea of coming to America," Bogere said. "I knew I had to work hard, but I also knew I would have an opportunity in America that I couldn't get had I stayed (in Uganda)."

A fellow fighter put him in touch with Alex, who lives in Las Vegas. Bogere turned pro and moved to Nevada.

"He's a unique individual," Alex said of Bogere, 20. "He's a quality, disciplined young man. He's totally dedicated to boxing, and I promise you he'll be a world champion."

Bogere is blessed with quick hands and reflexes. He can fire off punches in rapid succession, and his defense is considered good. How good, nobody really knows, because his fights tend to end quickly. In his nine pro fights, six have lasted less than two rounds.

This will be Bogere's fourth fight in eight weeks. Alex and trainer Kenny Adams are trying to get him as much experience as quickly as possible.

"I like to stay busy," Bogere said. "I need to build up my confidence and get more experience."

Bogere has been boxing since he was 8, when he started hanging out at a gym in his neighborhood in Kampala. He saw boxing as a way to help himself and his family.

"My dream was to be someone," Bogere said. "I always wanted to be a world champion."

For now, he'll have to settle for being the guy in the lion's suit with the elaborate ring walk. That's fine with him.

"I'm happy with my decision to come to America," he said. "Everything with my career is going well. I believe I will be world champion one day. Hopefully soon."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.