Javier Fortuna edges Sharif Bogere by unanimous decision
In a clever bit of matchmaking, we get Javier Fortuna (33-2-1, 21KO) vs Sharif Bogere (32-1, 20KO). This is a match-up of two once highly-rated prospects with good athleticism and exciting styles.
This fight is a huge opportunity for both fighters. For Bogere, this will be his first major televised fight in six years since losing his WBO lightweight title in 2013 to Richard Abril. Fortuna is coming off a loss to former IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr followed by a no contest in a super lightweight bout against Adrian Granados where Fortuna fell out of the ring and sustained a head injury.
The winner of this fight will put himself into position to fight one of the champions or other elite contenders.
The Breakdown
To start the fight, Bogere started off almost exclusively targeting Fortuna’s body with both jabs and lead right-hands. Fortuna, who’s a southpaw, looked to counter with his right-hook, or his left-uppercut.
Neither fighter did too much clean work and while both are active, their conflicting stances caused numerous clinches and headbutts. Going into round four, Bogere looked to push the pace even while not landing very many punches.
Fortuna would land some clean counters, but didn’t throw many punches. The faster pace is allowing Bogere to out-hustle Fortuna.
In round six Javier Fortuna would start really fast and finally found a weapon that he could utilize as he began throwing uppercuts to Bogere’s body. With thirty seconds to go in the round, Fortuna would score a controversial knockdown on what looked like a push. Bogere also picked up a cut from an obvious head butt.
As the fight continued, Bogere is clearly affected by the cut over his eye. Rounds seven and eight went according to plan, if you’re Javier Fortuna.
Going into round nine Bogere gets back to his jab and seemly stopped the bleeding. In the tenth and final round, both fighters showed urgency but it could be scored either way.
The fight would end in a unanimous decision for Javier Fortuna, 96-93 on all three scorecards. In a rarity, all the rounds were scored identically. After the fight, Fortuna called out Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Vasyl Lomachenko.
Those fights seem unlikely but, a rematch with Robert Easter Jr. seems possible.
By: Corey Cunningham
