Weekend’s only offering: Showtime’s Bogere vs Contreras

Yes, San Diego’s light middleweight sensation Chris Chatman is fighting this weekend, but, it’s at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island on Friday, and wouldn’t you know it, the bout is not being televised.  So what’s a Southern California boxing fan to do?

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The only live boxing for the weekend is being offered tomorrow night at 11 p.m. on Showtime’s Showbox from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas.  In a battle of unbeatens, the popular Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (20-0, 12 KOs) will defend his NABO lightweight title against hard-hitting Francisco Contreras (16-0, 13 KOs) in the 10-round main event and in the co-feature they have Jermell Charlo (15-0, 7 KOs) taking on Francisco Santana (12-2-1, 6 KOs) in an eight-round junior middleweight match.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you wanted to check Bogere out ahead of time, you can go to http://sports.sho.com/#/boxing/videos/769 and see his last fight on May 13th against Raymundo Beltran. In that bout, Bogere survived a nasty cut over his left eye and got lucky in the eighth round when he managed to tackle his opponent rather than go down.

Bogere ended up winning by the scores of 96-94 twice and 97-93. Showtime’s announcers Curt Menefee and Steve Farhood felt it was a draw. Myself, I agree with Menefee and Farhood. It might be fun if you score the bout yourself in order to get ready for Friday’s show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quotes from Thursday’s weigh-in at Texas Station:

SHARIF BOGERE

“Against (Raymundo) Beltran (last May 13 on ShoBox), I got cuts above both eyes. That took me off my game plan. So, in this training camp we straightened some things out. And I added a strength coach (Darrell Hudson of Las Vegas).

“Coming out of that fight (Beltran), I boosted my confidence. I had to dig deep and I feel stronger now because of that. I feel that I can take on anybody in the lightweight division.

“My last opponent was tougher than Contreras. He thinks he has power but I am not concerned. I am ready for the next level.’’

FRANCISCO CONTRERAS

“I am always prepared to go the distance but if the KO is there, I have the power to take it. On Friday, I’m going to surprise everyone and demonstrate who the real Francisco Contreras is.

“I don’t watch tapes of my opponents. I never do and Bogere is no different. I’ve seen his ring walk, though, and I’m not distracted by it. I don’t have a lion or anything like that to help me in a fight. I am focused.

“This is the most important fight of my career. He carries an impressive record. I haven’t fought anyone with his record. People say he’s the man because of that record so this is the win I need to move to the next level.’’

JERMELL CHARLO

“In four years as a pro, I have grown steadily. I’m now more relaxed in the ring. And have better skills, movement and combinations.

“This is a step up for me mentally. I know I’ll grow from this experience, fighting on national TV. I’m getting the exposure I need to prove myself to the boxing world. But physically it’s no different. This guy cannot threaten me. I have pressure on me but I have a great team and I’m ready.”

FRANCISCO SANTANA

“This is a great opportunity for me to fight on ShoBox. When we got the call for this fight at 154, we had no problem taking it.

“We’ve assembled a professional team now and I am in a very positive place, so much more so than I’ve ever been.

“I have to thank Victor Ortiz. He and his team took me in and gave me a renewed spirit and love for the sport. I’ve come here with a new level of maturity and an appreciation for moments like this. I don’t plan to waste it.’’