| ARCHIE SHARP WAS thinking big when he made public the name of the fighter he would relish sharing a ring with. The perfect name in the frame for the unbeaten 24-year-old is Lee Selby, the former IBF world featherweight king, who was memorably unseated by Josh Warrington at Elland Road last May. After being parted from his belt in Leeds, Selby has since jumped up two weights and, last time out, collected an IBF Intercontinental strap following victory over Omar Douglas in London. Now Sharp, 14-0 and holder of the WBO European title, is not kidding himself and knows full well that Selby is not about to offer himself up as an opponent to enhance the record of ambitious young contenders. But the Kent-based super featherweight fully believes in himself and is confident he would emerge victorious from mixing in such illustrious company. “Yeah they are definitely fights that I want and I know I am ready for that sort of fight,” insisted Sharp, who put an end to the unbeaten record of Lyon Woodstock in his last fight back in October. “Obviously, looking at the business side of things, he isn’t gonna be interested in it, but I know that I am at and beyond that level. “I’m not just saying it, but I don’t think there is a fighter out there who could go on the back foot and try and outbox me – I really don’t think there is a fighter who can outbox me.” Sharp is back in the ring after recovering from injury at the SSE Arena, Wembley on April 27, from which point he intends to significantly accelerate his progress towards the top of the super featherweight tree. “I know where I am going in this sport and I’ve got a little plan to be in world title fights in the next 18 months. Within that time I will be at world level, mixing with the top fighters, for sure.” Daniel Dubois v Richard Lartey tops the bill at the SSE Arena, Wembley on April 27 on a card that also includes the Commonwealth super middleweight title fight between Lerrone Richards and Tommy Langford, as well as the Southern Area super middleweight title clash between Zak Chelli and Jimmy Smith. WBO European super flyweight champion Sunny Edwards and WBO European super featherweight champion Archie Sharp also feature. Chorley-boxer Jack Catterall will be in action as he edges ever-closer to a world title challenge. Rangy Super Welterweight talent Hamzah Sheeraz will be back out after his impressive win over Rod Douglas Jnr. Hard hitting middleweight and Peacock gym product Denzel Bentley (9-0) and Belfast amateur middleweight star Caoimhin Agyarko will also return to action. There is a Queensberry debut for Sheffield middleweight Shakiel Thompson (2-0) – with Thompson being tipped by sparring partner Billy Joe Saunders as a star for the future. Ilford Super Middleweight Umar Sadiq (4-1) also returns as he looks to rebuild after his first career loss. Tunde Ajayi trained lightweight Bilal Ali (1-0) will have his second professional fight after making a successful start to his pro career, with Hoddesdon super lightweight Alfie Price set for his fifth. Tickets will be priced as £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150 and are now ON SALE to purchase via Eventim, Ticketmaster, the SSE Arena website and AXS.com |
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