Minor title shot doesn’t satisfy Sharif Bogere

After three-plus years and 19 fights, Sharif Bogere finally gets a title shot.

Just not the one he wants.

Bogere (19-0, 12 knockouts) will face Ray Beltran today for the vacant NABO lightweight belt in the headlining bout of a 6 p.m. fight card at the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm.

Bogere, a Uganda native who has lived and trained in Las Vegas since shortly after turning pro in 2008, would rather be fighting for a world title, saying he would be glad to meet WBC champion Humberto Soto or IBF titleholder Miguel Vasquez.

"I feel I'm ready now," said Bogere, 22. "But everything comes in time. Hopefully within a year or less."

His handlers think he needs more seasoning.

"I would say another couple of fights," said Bogere's manager, Jimmy Alex. "Sharif's a quick learner. He's only been a pro a short while. But if he wins this fight, it will help his ranking."

The WBA ranks Bogere 21st among lightweights, and the WBC rates him No. 24. He is unranked by the IBF.

Bogere's trainer, Kenny Adams, said tonight's Showtime-televised 10-round bout is a chance for his fighter to gain recognition.

"This is a big step for him," Adams said. "He's taking on better competition. But we're ready. He's trained really well."

Beltran (24-4, 16 KOs) is coming off a seventh-round knockout of Carlos Vivian on March 4 in Woodland Hills, Calif. Since then, he has spent his time sparring with Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif.

Adams isn't impressed.

"I don't look at who he sparred with; I look at who he's fought," Adams said. "He sparred with Pacquiao and Amir Khan. I can tell you he wasn't beating them up. If he was, they wouldn't let him spar with them."

Bogere, who has one of the most elaborate and exciting ring walks in boxing, will again make his entrance wearing a lion's headdress and mane while inside a cage.

But he stressed that the show inside the ring is more important.

"I like to entertain the fans, but winning comes first," said Bogere, who stopped Shamir Reyes in the first round of his most recent bout, March 4 in Indio, Calif. "I think my focus has gotten better in the ring. I have more concentration now. I'm a more complete fighter."

In the co-feature, former Michigan State linebacker Seth Mitchell (21-0-1, 15 KOs) will face Evans Quinn (20-5-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.