BoxRec

Archie Sharp promises a fan-friendly collision when he goes toe-to-toe with Jeff Ofori, with his WBO European super featherweight title at stake on Thursday August 20.

The unbeaten ‘Sharpshooter’ will clock up his 19th professional fight at the BT Studio against the 10-2-1 Tottenham man in the fourth edition of Frank W’s summer series that returns the sport to television screens.

It will represent a fourth defence of his WBO title for the 25-year-old Sharp and one he insists will be a tough domestic assignment against an opponent he is already familiar with.

"I am buzzing to be back out and I'm looking forward to it, being top of the bill as well is nice to hear,” reacted Sharp to his fight news.

"I have just been playing it by ear during the lockdown when the whole world didn't know where it was at. Now I have got a date, I am off to Tenerife with the Walsh brothers to prepare me for the Ofori fight.

"To be honest with you, Jeff is a very nice fella and I know him and his trainer and have nothing but respect for them. I've sparred Jeff and it was him who prepared me for the Lyon Woodstock fight.

"So we've done some rounds together and he is very tough. He's boxed up at a big weight (super lightweight) against Ohara Davies, so it will be very interesting with him coming down to 9st 4lbs.

"I do know he is relentless, he comes forward, but in the last two years I have put on a lot of power and strength so it will be a good fight.

"I think this sort of fight, with our styles, will bring the best me out and that is why I wanted this fight because I am going to show everyone the real me. I have not really done that in previous fights.

"This sort of opponent will allow me to bring the best out of me," added Sharp, who considers this fight as comparable to the tests he has already been presented with.

"I don't think he is the best I've had in terms of ability, but it toughness he is right up there for sure.

"It will be a very, very good fight for the fans watching and there will definitely be some fireworks. There will also be a masterclass from myself."

Featuring as part of the event is the IBF European super welterweight clash between the unbeaten pair of Troy Williamson (13-0-1) from Darlington and Michael McGurk (12-0) from Uddingston in Scotland.

There are also fights for three Blue Chip prospects from the Queensberry iBox Gym, with Dennis McCann (6-0), Sam Noakes (3-0) and Henry Turner (2-0) all in action.

How they Ofori down to 130 when he just in the golden tourny at 140?

He was blown up at 140

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑09 Jul 2020, 13:56 He was blown up at 140

Fair point but wouldn't he not a best at 130.

He's been in the low 130s before for non title fights where presumably weight making was less strict, not sure it's that hard for him to make 130?

Sharp wins this at a Canter Ofori isn’t that big so should make super feather. He has been lowest at 134 I think although he will make it he will be a lot weaker than he was v OHara.. Sharp will stop him middle rounds. All the Super Feathers in relatively easy fights none of them fighting each other. All poor fights in my opinion

Was at 132

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑09 Jul 2020, 15:59 Was at 132

I have seen first hand fighters weight being put down to suit promotors so will need to wait and see

Could be, I think basically we can say he shouldn't be at 140

Could be best suited for 135, or could be 130, we'll see how he does

Sharp is on a good run. He’s already got some good scalps. Hopefully gets in some proper title fights. Traditional route.
Ofori is solid and a decent test. This is a good fight.
I’m expecting Sharp to win relatively wide on the cards.

Frampton vs. Vardanyan, Conlan vs. Takoucht - Set For August 15

THE FOURTH SHOW of BT Sport's exciting summer schedule has been brought forward and will now take place on Saturday August 15 with the addition of Belfast stars Carl Frampton and Michael Conlan to the card.

The BT Sport-televised show was initially listed to take place on Thursday August 20, but now switches to the previous weekend with the significant bonus of two-weight world champion Frampton and featherweight contender Conlan being drafted into action.

The originally scheduled headliner between Archie Sharp and Jeff Ofori for the WBO European super featherweight title remains on the card along with an IBF European Super-Welterweight title defence for Troy Williamson.

Elite and hugely popular prospect Dennis McCann rounds out the card.

Frampton, 33, who is awaiting confirmation of his challenge to WBO world super featherweight champion Jamel Herring, will take on the Armenian Vahram Vardanyan, who holds a record of 21-1-1.

The Jackal (27-2-0) last fought in November in Las Vegas when he outpointed Tyler McCreary over 10 rounds.

Conlan (13-0), 28, who holds both the WBA and WBO Intercontinental titles, goes up against the experienced Frenchman Sofiane Takoucht (35-4-1).

The Frampton-Vardanyan and Conlan-Takoucht bouts will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, Saturday, August 15, beginning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. Undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.

Takoucht, 34, has been stopped only once in his professional career and is a former IBF International champion and world title challenger. His single stoppage came in his full IBF title challenge against Josh Warrington in Leeds back in October of last year.

The unbeaten super featherweight Sharp will clock up his 19th professional fight against the 10-2-1 Tottenham man Ofori. It will represent a fourth defence of his WBO European title for the 25-year-old.

Unbeaten Darlington man Williamson defends his title and his record on the show whilst thrilling prospect McCann, just 19, will be having his seventh professional fight since turning pro in May last year.

This weekend.

Archie Sharp warns former sparring partner Jeff Ofori that he’s a different animal now

Sharpshooter fires warning at Jeffy

The history between Archie Sharp and Jeff Ofori goes back to when they shared countless rounds sparring two years ago – but Sharp has warned his opponent that he’s now a completely different animal ahead of this weekend’s showdown.

Sharp (18-0, 9 KOs) defends his WBO European super-featherweight title against Ofori (10-2-1, 3 KOs) this Saturday, live on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and on BT Sport in association with Queensberry Promotions.

It’s part of the card that sees two-weight world champion Carl Frampton face former British title challenger Darren Traynor, and Irish hero Michael Conlan take on recent world title challenger Sofiane Sofiane Takoucht, with those two fights live on ESPN.

Sharp and Ofori are very familiar with each other, as Ofori was Sharp’s main sparring partner ahead of his battle with Lyon Woodstock in 2018, but defending champion Sharp insists he has come on leaps and bounds.

Sharp said: “Jeff was my sparring partner for the Lyon Woodstock fight two years ago. A lot changes in two years and I have grown into a different fighter and, no disrespect, in the two years I have picked titles up and unfortunately he hasn’t.

I know Jeff keeps himself in the best shape possible and it is going to be tough. He is probably thinking he will get in and give Archie a hard night’s work, but I have been boxing since the age of seven so it is nothing unusual to me.

He is fit and will be on his game, but I am in the best shape I have ever been. Fighting and winning a world title is what I came into boxing to do and to fight big names like Carl Frampton.

No disrespect, but Carl is in a position where he has a target on his back and it is a fight I want. I am in the game to be the best.”

Ofori added: “One hundred per cent I can cause an upset. Where I am from not many fighters get the opportunity so , for me, I will grab it with both hands.

“I’ve been training right through and I am ready to go. I don’t think he will underestimate me because he wants to keep the platform he’s got. I’ve got other plans and I am hungry to stay in the game and be in the best fights. Winning would definitely change my life.”

Elsewhere on the card, Troy Williamson defends his IBF European super-welterweight title against Harry Scarff, and unbeaten stars Dennis McCann and Paddy Donovan return.

Love watching Sharp, just the kind of style I like really.

Can’t find a thread on Paddy Donovan so will post it here: he’s the bollocks. Is Andy Lee still training him? Can’t wait to see him step up. Excited for the whole card really

Delta Jay wrote: ↑15 Aug 2020, 10:05 Love watching Sharp, just the kind of style I like really.

Can’t find a thread on Paddy Donovan so will post it here: he’s the bollocks. Is Andy Lee still training him? Can’t wait to see him step up. Excited for the whole card really

Yeah, Andy Lee trains and manages him still.

This fight looked really good on paper, but it's a bit of a snoozer so far

skanksta wrote: ↑15 Aug 2020, 16:34 This fight looked really good on paper, but it's a bit of a snoozer so far

I watched it back after a few drinks at about 1AM and didn’t mind it, lots of inside action and all a bit head, shoulders, knees and toes. Thought Ofori was winning it but didn’t score and seemed close.

Can I see the Donovan fight anywhere?

Would like to see archie sharp vs Lucas ballingall.

Delta Jay wrote: ↑16 Aug 2020, 04:48

skanksta wrote: ↑15 Aug 2020, 16:34 This fight looked really good on paper, but it's a bit of a snoozer so far

I watched it back after a few drinks at about 1AM and didn’t mind it, lots of inside action and all a bit head, shoulders, knees and toes. Thought Ofori was winning it but didn’t score and seemed close.

Can I see the Donovan fight anywhere?

NoScoutingReports wrote: ↑20 Aug 2020, 04:01

Delta Jay wrote: ↑16 Aug 2020, 04:48

skanksta wrote: ↑15 Aug 2020, 16:34 This fight looked really good on paper, but it's a bit of a snoozer so far

I watched it back after a few drinks at about 1AM and didn’t mind it, lots of inside action and all a bit head, shoulders, knees and toes. Thought Ofori was winning it but didn’t score and seemed close.

Can I see the Donovan fight anywhere?

Thanks bud but I meant to say young Paddy Donovan, he fought a 3 or 4 rounder earlier on