UNBEATEN WBO European Jr. Lightweight Champion Archie Sharp believes he is already a world-level talent and has sensationally called out American superstars Jamel Herring and Shakur Stevenson.

The Welling fighter will be protecting both his 18-0 unbeaten record and his WBO European Super-Featherweight crown on Saturday night when he steps in the ring against Tottenham man Jeff Ofori.

A supremely confident Sharp believes he is well-placed to steal the show and puts much of that down to the work he has been doing with his ‘mind coach’, Linda.

“With Linda, my mind coach, we’ve been working on a lot of programs. Mentally, I’m the strongest I’ve ever been.”

It’s not a secret that the ‘Sharpshooter’ has sought the unorthodox methods of mind coach Linda Keen before, but Archie believes that the current coronavirus situation has made her input even more crucial to his fight preparations.

“Being mentally strong is the most important thing for what we’ve been going through,” he explained. “Im buzzing to be back. My batteries are recharged and I’m ready to go and put a show on.”

To many boxing fans, Saturday’s scrap between Sharp and Ofori is the sleeper candidate for fight-of-the-night and most believe that 30-year-old Ofori will present a stiff challenge for the younger champion.

Sharp doesn’t see it that way.

“I believe I’m at world level now.

“I’ve got a lot of heart, I’ve got a granite chin and I can punch. My footwork and my movement have always been unbelievable and on the 15th August you’re going to see a lot more of that.”

Archie accepts that Ofori will try and push the action when the pair clash on Saturday night, but believes “everyone has a plan till they get in there”.

“This fella I’m fighting, Jeff Ofori, is going to be coming like a man possessed” he admits, but says “I’m in the best shape ever and for sure I’m going to be looking at stealing the show.”

Whilst there is clearly business to take care of on BT Sport on Saturday night, Archie is a man who knows his own mind and knows where he wants to take his career.

“I want to be the best in this game” he said, adding “Carl Frampton is the main man on the show and that’s a fight I’m looking at.

“Ideally, I just want to fight the WBO world champion and at the minute that’s Jamal Herring.”

Frampton and Herring are two big names to have in your crosshairs, but the ambitious ‘Sharpshooter’ doesn’t want to stop there.

“Shakur Stevenson can have it as well.”

BT Sport Fight Night Live: Frampton vs Traynor is this Saturday night / coverage starts at 8pm on BT Sport 2

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QUEENSBERRY PROMOTIONS announce details of WBO bouts behind-closed-doors on BT Sport.

Frank Warren will bring boxing back to the BT Sport Studio again on Thursday 20th August and Saturday 29th August

That show will be headlined by a WBO European Jr. Lightweight Title clash between champion Archie Sharp (18-0, 9KO’s) and challenger Jeff Ofori (10-2-1, 3KO’s).

The first run of Frank Warren’s huge Summer boxing series on BT will conclude with the blockbuster return of the hottest prospect in world boxing, Greenwich Heavyweight Daniel ‘Dynamite’ Dubois (14-0, 13 KO’s).

Dubois will take on a proper test in Russian-born Erik Pfeifer (7-0, 5KO’s) on Saturday 29th August, with Daniel’s WBO International Heavyweight title on the line.

Frank Warren:
We wanted to get our fighters active again at the earliest opportunity and we are doing what we promised on Friday, live from the BT Sport studio, which is pretty much just a stone’s throw from the Copper Box Arena on the edge of the Olympic Park.

The studio is something special – around the size of a football pitch – so there is plenty of scope to be creative and deliver something eye-catching for the viewers.

Of course, we would much rather have people there in person to create an atmosphere, but we have to do the best with can with the cards we are currently dealt.

There is nothing normal about this new reality. Not least the eye-watering invoice for extensive Covid-19 testing to be carried out on our behalf.

As always though, in boxing, the safety of the fighters is paramount and we are putting every measure in place.

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WBO Bouts at the Copper Box Arena

ARCHIE SHARP makes a third defence of his WBO European Junior Lightweight title when he takes on the unbeaten Artjoms Ramlavs at the Copper Box Arena on December 21.

It is one of many fights currently scheduled on the bumper bill that also includes the heavyweight collision between Daniel Dubois and Kyotaro Fujimoto for the WBO International title and for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight Championship Liam Williams going up against the American Alantez Fox for vacant WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight title.

Sharp, 17-0 (9KOs) is on a roll since parting the previously unbeaten champion Lyon Woodstock from his belt in Leicester in October of last year. Injury prevented immediate title progression before he got back in the swing with a second round stoppage of Sergio Gonzalez at Wembley in April and he proceeded to make a first defence against the tough Scot Jordan McCorry at the o2 Arena in July, where he recorded a convincing points victory.

His most recent assignment came at the Royal Albert Hall in September, where he again defended his WBO strap, this time against the unpredictable Irishman Declan Geraghty. The Dubliner presented early problems to the Welling man before a peach of a punch dispatched by the 24-year-old spectacularly ended Geraghty’s night in the fourth round.

Ramlavs from Riga will enter into unfamiliar territory on the night of ‘The Fight Before Christmas’ at the Copper Box.

Known as ‘Supersonic’, the 30-year-old has not previously fought outside his native Latvia in a career that has spanned 11 professional fights, with six of his wins coming via KO.

The 5ft 7southpaw and the champion Sharp do have one opponent in common in the Nicaraguan Gonzalez, who Ramlavs fought in 2018 and recorded a points victory.

“He is a southpaw, 11-0 with six stoppages and I see he had a bit of amateur pedigree,” said Sharp on his forthcoming mission. “So we have got another unbeaten fighter to come and take me on and he is a little bit shorter than Declan (last opponent, Geraghty) and that will probably work a little bit in my favour.

“I think what is happening is he is tough and game, but I don’t think his ability is up there with the other boys I have fought and he will come to work and have a right go.

“Facing an unbeaten fighter brings another dynamic because every time he has showed up before he has won. He’s now got a shot at the WBO European title so we will see how he turns up.

“I’ve just got to make sure I am in tip-top shape and able to adapt to whatever he brings on December 21. It is another lively one and I think they are all going to be that now.”

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DANIEL DUBOIS and Nicola Adams will be lighting up London on Friday (September 27th) when both are in big fight action at the Royal Albert Hall, live on BT Sport.

The vacant WBO International Heavyweight Championship will be on the line when Dubois (12-0, 11KOs) faces Ghanaian Ebenezer Tetteh (19-0, 16KOs).

Adams (5-0, 3KOs) makes the first defence of her WBO flyweight title against Mexican challenger Maria Salinas (21-7-3, 7KOs)

WBO European super-featherweight champion Archie Sharp (16-0, 8KOs) is also in action and defends his title against Dublin’s Declan Geraghty (19-4, 4KOs).

Daniel Dubois vs. Ebenezer Tetteh final press conference quotes
Today, Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren hosted the final press conference ahead of the big night of action at the historic venue.

Here are a selection of quotes from the event:

FRANK WARREN

“Daniel has had a fantastic year and gone from strength to strength. He is the best young heavyweight in the world in my opinion, and that is a burden I have put on him.

“We know he has power, but Daniel can box. He is not just a cumbersome clubber. And he is the best young heavyweight I’ve been involved in. He is a special young man.

“As my boxing mentor, the late Ernie Fossey said, ‘If you can’t jab, you can’t fight.’

“Good fighters have great jabs and Daniel has a great jab. It is a big comparison to make at this stage of his career, but Daniel has that Larry Holmes jab. I love seeing fighters who can jab.

“Nicola is our golden girl and I can’t wait for her first fight as a world champion, but this is a hard fight and I hope she comes through.

“Nicola is a legend with two Olympic gold medals. I want to see her come through this and be an active fighter.

“Archie is in title winning habits, an ambitious young man, but he has a tough challenge. It is going to be fireworks and great for the fans.”

DANIEL DUBOIS

“It is my job to come through in style. I haven’t really studied Tetteh. I just want to fight and win again.

“Every challenge brings something different and I get better each time I fight.

Dubois says he’ll be facing “big names” soon
“I believe I am world class and it is only a matter of time before I am up there with the big names.

“I am a man on a mission and not going to be stopped. It will be fireworks on Friday and a devastating performance is coming.

“The Larry Holmes compliment is great to have especially from Frank. He has been in the business a long time and knows what he’s talking about.”

EBENEZER TETTEH

“I have watched Daniel v Lartey and Gorman and know what I have to do to beat him on Friday.

“And, I gave Lartey sparring and I am better than him. I can move and punch.

“I expect to beat Daniel. Lartey gave him a good fight but I will finish Dubois.

“I want to take the title home and be the first Ghanaian Commonwealth heavyweight champion.”

NICOLA ADAMS not underestimating Maria
“I will be nervous on fight night, but it is good to be back. If I wasn’t nervous it would mean I am underestimating my opponent.

“I have been sparring with Kid Galahad who is really difficult to hit. If I can land on him I can land on anybody.

“Maria will stand in front of me and they are the best to face because they’re there to get hit.

“I have a lot of goals. I want to unify the flyweight division and this is the first step in the right direction.

“It means a lot to box at the Royal Albert Hall where my hero Muhammad Ali did. It is special.”

ARCHIE SHARP

“Declan is a very good fighter and we all know he can box. I will adapt to anyone’s style and whatever he brings I will match.

“And I believe I’m a great fighter and they adapt to any style. I have done tests and I am bigger, stronger and quicker than 12 months ago.

“The fight will be how I want to fight and I have an answer to it all.

Archie Sharp targeting WBO champ Jamel Herring
“He has been chinned and that must play on any man’s head. The WBO champion Jamel Herring has been mentioned as a future opponent, but I am not overlooking Declan.”

DECLAN GERAGHTY

“I’m here to spoil the party. I am gonna come forward and put the pressure on him.

“Archie is a good boxer, rangy, switches and moves well. I’m not really worried about him because he hasn’t been tested. He beat Lyon Woodstock and Jordan McCorry who I don’t rate at all.

“No ifs or buts, I am becoming WBO European super-featherweight. I’m a crazy Irishman and here to fight.

“If he has overlooked me he is silly. I think it’s down to who has the best boxing IQ.”

Daniel Dubois headlines the bill when he meets Ghana’s Ebenezer Tetteh and WBO champion Nicola Adams defends her title for the first time against experienced Mexican Maria Salinas, live on BT Sport.

The card will also feature WBO European super-featherweight champion Archie Sharp who makes his second title defence against Dublin’s Declan Geraghty.

Dubois vs. Tetteh ticket information
Tickets for the September 27 bill at the Royal Albert Hall are available to purchase from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.royalalberthall.com. Prices £40, £50, £75, £100, £150 Ringside.

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ARCHIE SHARP will defend his WBO European Jr. Lightweight title at the Royal Albert Hall on September 27 when he takes on the challenge from Declan ‘Pretty Boy’ Geraghty.

‘Sharpshooter’ Sharp, 16-0 (8KOs), makes a second defence of the title he won from Lyon Woodstock in October of last year, having seen off the threat of game Scot Jordan McCorry last time out in July.

The Dubliner Geraghty, 19-4 (4KOs), is accustomed to being involved in thrilling encounters and took part in an absorbing double-header with recent world title challenger Jono Carroll, with the second part taking place in June of last year with the IBF Intercontinental title at stake. Victory for Carroll after nine epic rounds saw him push on towards world title contention.

Sharp believes more drama could be in the offing when he fights for the first time at the stunning South Kensington venue.

“Declan Geraghty is a good fight, a very good fight,” said the 24-year-old. “He is always in exciting fights and always seems to bring a high level of skill to the ring.

“He is skilful but has ended up in a number of wars, which has probably been his downfall. He is a good, technical boxer and, because he has been chinned a couple of times, he might want to prove something now.

“If he sticks to his boxing it will be interesting because my last couple of fights have been against come-forward fighters. I like testing myself so it will be good to go in with a nice rangy southpaw. Why not?

“I am building now and every fight is benefiting me and moving me on towards those big fights. They have all been good fights – Woodstock, McCorry and now Geraghty is a good fight. They have all been hungry to win titles and if I keep beating these live opponents it will only serve to ready me for world level.”

Geraghty, 29, say he won’t get pulled into war by neat boxing Sharp, but insists: “It’s a really exciting fight and will be fan-friendly for everyone watching at the Royal Albert Hall and on BT Sport.

“I am going into his backyard and there is no pressure on me. I know how good his boxing ability is and I think it is down to who has the better boxing IQ.

“I like getting involved in a fight, but not this time because it is boxer v boxer.

“Archie is a bit similar to me and likes to keep it long and rangy, but I like getting dragged into a war every so often.

“His style will suit me and now is my time to deliver.”

Daniel Dubois v Ebenezer Tetteh for the vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title tops the bill at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday September 27, alongside Nicola Adams making a first defence of her WBO world flyweight title. Also on the card is Battersea banger Denzel Bentley in middleweight action, heavyweight Jonathan Palata, exciting bantamweight talent Dennis McCann and debuts for lightweight Sam Noakes, super lightweight Eithan James and super middleweight Lewie Edmondson.

Tickets for the September 27 bill at the Royal Albert Hall are available to purchase from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.royalalberthall.com. Prices £40, £50, £75, £100, £150 Ringside.

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Welling’s Archie Sharp retained his WBO European super-welterweight title as he won a unanimous points verdict over tough Scot Jordan McCorry.

All three judges scored the South London fighter as a 98-91 winner.

Sharp’s record stands at 16-0 with eight stoppages.

McCorry was dropped by an excellent left to the body in the third round but the challenger was made of tough stuff and continued to try and force his way back into the contest.

But Sharp had the greater quality and cleaner connection to his punches.

In the early rounds he showed patience – not rushing his own work – but the final rounds became more attritional.

BY RICHARD CAWLEY / www.londonnewsonline.co.uk

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ARCHIE SHARP WILL make a first defence of his WBO European Jr. Lightweight title when he takes on the tough Scot Jordan McCorry at The O2, London on July 13.

The 24-year-old from Welling, 15-0, who memorably defeated Lyon Woodstock last October to win his first title belt, knows he will have to be at his quick-footed best to overcome a challenger who gave British champion Sam Bowen a troublesome night before succumbing to a ninth round TKO in his last fight in March.

“It is a good fight, Jordan McCorry is going to come to beat me and he is going to be fit, strong and ready,” said Sharp on his slot on a blockbuster card headlined by Daniel Dubois and Nathan Gorman battling it out for the British heavyweight title and Joe Joyce coming up against Bryant Jennings.

“I am pretty sure he will be coming to try and rough me up, but we are prepared for all sorts of styles coming our way and I am looking forward to the fight. It will be a good win on the night for me.

“I have watched probably about a minute of his fight against Bowen to see what sort of fighter he is. Of course I would like to do a better job than Bowen because everybody wants to make big statements and I will do what I’ve got to do on the night.

“I think Jordan McCorry is made for a good Archie Sharp to come out and shine. I think you will see a good me and I believe his style will suit me down to a tee.”

For the 28-year-old McCorry, 17-5-1, it will be a case of jumping from one big title fight to another.

“That is why you are in boxing – you want the big fights,” said the native of Cambuslang. “You want to be on the big shows and top bills and this is definitely the case here.

“I think I kind of earned it when I fought Bowen. It was a good fight and I think you will see a better me this time because obviously I have had more time to prepare.

“It could have been a different story against Bowen if the referee had let it go a wee bit more, but sometimes you will get that as the away boxer.

“I definitely take a lot from the fight, I spoke to Bowen after and he is a good guy who I hope goes on to do well, but I think everybody underestimated me and thought I would just fall over.

“People saw what I am all about and they will see more this time,” added the Scot, who believes he is up against a more technical opponent on July 9.

“Sharp is a better boxer, for sure. Bowen is big and strong but Sharp is a better boxer who I rate and he won the ABAs as an amateur, so he has got a good pedigree.

“Although, no disrespect to Lyon Woodstock, but he is the only guy he has fought in a hard fight and he is already talking about world titles on Twitter. I am in front of him now and I showed before that I am no mug and I am there to win the fight and that’s it.

“He needs to get by me first. I just think I will be too big and too strong for him.”

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Archie Sharp is full of confidence going into his clash against WBO European Jr. Lightweight Champion Lyon Woodstock and states that his opponent’s downfall will be because of his ‘one dimensional’ boxing ability.

Sharp (13-0) had the opportunity to do some homework on Woodstock (11-0) when he witnessed the fight in which Lyon beat Craig Poxton to claim the WBO European title; the belt he will be defending when they step into the ring on October 6th.

“It was a good fight.” admitted Sharp.

“Regarding Lyon’s performance, I thought he boxed the same as he did in his first fight, his second fight, third fight and so on…

“he’s a one-dimensional fighter, there is no change in his game, he has shown me nothing different. Poxton sat in the pocket the whole fight and it worked out well for Lyon, and to be honest with you I still thought it was a very close fight.”

Unimpressed by Woodstock’s efforts in his encounter with Poxton, Sharp continued by taking a punt on how their fight will pan out on October 6th:

“Lyon is going to come out at the first bell and try and put the pressure on me and try and sit on my chest for the ten rounds.

“I’ll be too clever for that and my boxing abilities are too cute for that to happen.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if Lyon is going to just make sure he’s super fit for this fight because that is all he’s got; boxing skill and boxing ability wise, he isn’t on my level.”

Along with having the ‘challenger’ status, Sharp will be in Woodstock territory on fight night when he travels up from London to fight in Woodstock’s native Leicester.

However, it is a factor undaunting to Sharp who believes it could feel quite the opposite when making the journey up the M1 from London and into the Midlands.

“It might be in his back garden but at the end of the day it will just be me and him in that ring.

“I’m coming up with a big army of supporters so it wouldn’t surprise me if it sounds like we’re in London on October 6th.”

‘The Time Is Now’ is headlined by Jack Catterall v Ohara Davies. Leicester’s own, Lyon Woodstock defends his WBO European Super-Featherweight title against Archie Sharp. Heavyweight prospect Daniel Dubois takes on former world title challenger Kevin Johnson. Olympian and double gold medallist Nicola Adams and Leicester’s British Super-Featherweight champion Sam Bowen also feature on a major night of boxing televised live on BT Sport.

Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £100, £150, £200 and are available to purchase from Eventbrite and Ticketmaster.

https://www.boxingnews24.com/2018/08/archie-sharp-ready-to-beat-lyon-woodstock/

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