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Tyson piles praises on pugilist Bogere
BARE KNUCKLES: Bogere (R) with legendary Tyson during a Golden Boy Promotions dinner in Las Vegas recently
Boxing great Mike ‘Iron’ Tyson has tipped Ugandan Sharif Bogere to become a world champion. “I have watched him four times in Vegas and he seems to posses the potential to go far,” Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, told boxingscene.com.
“He’s got speed and agility with some pomp. He is very agile,” added Tyson, who became the youngest boxer to win the WBC title at 20. “He’s a very strong kid though he needs to get proper leverage on his punches and improve on footwork.”
Like Tyson, Bogere has had an impressive start to his professional career, winning all his 17 fights so far. 11 of these wins have been by knockout.
Yet, the Ugandan was only introduced to the professional ranks two years ago.
This was after he vanished in USA during the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championship in Chicago. His disappearance alongside other Ugandan boxers caused uproar in the country. Bogere went on a run for several months before settling in California.
But he has since turned tables with his undoubtable talent landing him a contract with Golden Boy Promotions last month. The promotions company is owned by another boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya. Bogere, 22, is now arguably the most feared pugilist in the lightweight division.
Lion head
This year, he has claimed two victories and was awarded the Outstanding Young Male Boxer of the Year award in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ugandan has also made headlines with his splendor while entering the ring on fight nights.
He usually wears a lion head-like mask and brings a cage to the ring side.
And Tyson, the former WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion thinks such stunts make lots of sense.
“Such stunts give you a good base for pay-per-view negotiations and attract fans,” Tyson said about Bogere’s ring entrance.
