BoxRec

Press Release

Number one contender Archie Sharp is hoping to turn the heat up on Shakur Stevenson with the help of his new promoter Probellum.

The 26-year-old super-featherweight has made no secret of his desire to take on US star Stevenson, who holds the WBO title and is being tipped to become a multi-weight champion.

But the unbeaten Sharp (21-0, 9Kos) is convinced he would be too smart for his American rival and he has enlisted the expertise of Probellum, a global promotion and media company, to secure a shot at Stevenson.

Sharp is No1 in the rankings so should be next in line for a shot at the WBO belt and wants to be at ringside for Stevenson’s unification clash with Oscar Valdez on April 30, in Las Vegas to bang the drum for a UK versus US showdown later this year.

“Stevenson has done nothing but disrespect me but it’s because I’m in his head and he knows he can’t avoid me for much longer,” said Archie Sharp, known as ‘Sharpshooter’.

“I’m ranked No1 by the WBO and with Probellum’s backing, I’ll get my shot at Stevenson later this year. I want to be at ringside for his next fight in Vegas and all he has to do is make sure he gets through Valdez and then we can get it on!

“I’m too clever for him and he knows it.”

Sharp, who hails from Kent in the UK, is the WBO Global super-featherweight champion and had been schedule to fight on Probellum’s inaugural show in Dubai, in December, before injury changed his plans.

But having returned to full fitness, the unbeaten switch-hitter is looking at a May return before finally getting his hands on Stevenson.

“Archie is the No1 ranked super-featherweight in the world with the WBO and he is ready for his shot at the title,” said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum.

“And this is where we at Probellum step in and use all of our collective experience in boxing to make sure Archie gets the fight we all want to see, with Shakur Stevenson.

“What a fight that will be!”

Probellum stage their opening shows of the year on March 18 and 19 in Dubai, with both bills topped by world title fights.

The Probellum Evolution shows see Estelle Mossely defend her lightweight crown in a historic first for the Middle East before Sunny Edwards makes the second defence of his flyweight title against Muhammad Waseem the following night.

Probellum then head to Newcastle on Friday, March 25 for Probellum Throwdown where Lewis Ritson faces former world champion Dejan Zlaticanin and Olympic silver medallist Pat McCormack makes his pro debut.

Liverpool host Probellum’s third show of 2022, when Paul Butler challenges John Riel Casimero for his WBO world bantamweight title, topping a bill which also includes Peter McGrail, Rocky Fielding and Luke McCormack.

For ticket news, live news and updates, be sure to follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 

'Sharp is No1 in the rankings'.

Best win, Declan Geraghty.

Black Sam Bellamy wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 11:19 'Sharp is No1 in the rankings'.

Best win, Declan Geraghty.

WBO for ya..

Indeed, he wouldnt win a British title at Super Feather.

Too smart for Shakur? Not sure about that Archie

I feel a bit bad for allegedly. He does the hard part and gets Sharp number 1 in the WBO (his results certainly don’t deserve that position) and then he leaves before the pay off fight.

Archie comes across deluded and is in no way ready for a proper world title fight.

maverick23 wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 11:31 I feel a bit bad for allegedly. He does the hard part and gets Sharp number 1 in the WBO (his results certainly don’t deserve that position) and then he leaves before the pay off fight.

Archie comes across deluded and is in no way ready for a proper world title fight.

Who has left who though ? Sharp doesnt sell a ticket and he's MTK-managed. Queensbury probably didnt want to keep him IMO. Same as Catterall, Sunny & Charlie Edwards, Sam Maxwell, JJ Metcalf, Liam Williams, Troy Williamson..

Black Sam Bellamy wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 11:40

maverick23 wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 11:31 I feel a bit bad for allegedly. He does the hard part and gets Sharp number 1 in the WBO (his results certainly don’t deserve that position) and then he leaves before the pay off fight.

Archie comes across deluded and is in no way ready for a proper world title fight.

Who has left who though ? Sharp doesnt sell a ticket and he's MTK-managed. Queensbury probably didnt want to keep him IMO. Same as Catterall, Sunny & Charlie Edwards, Sam Maxwell, JJ Metcalf, Liam Williams, Troy Williamson..

Frank ain't got no one left..

Black Sam Bellamy wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 11:40

maverick23 wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 11:31 I feel a bit bad for allegedly. He does the hard part and gets Sharp number 1 in the WBO (his results certainly don’t deserve that position) and then he leaves before the pay off fight.

Archie comes across deluded and is in no way ready for a proper world title fight.

Who has left who though ? Sharp doesnt sell a ticket and he's MTK-managed. Queensbury probably didnt want to keep him IMO. Same as Catterall, Sunny & Charlie Edwards, Sam Maxwell, JJ Metcalf, Liam Williams, Troy Williamson..

I would have thought FW would have wanted to get the world title shot (take their cut of a few hundred grand for Archie to fight Stevenson in the states).

You wonder what’s gone on with Frank and MTK. All those names you list would have helped him improve his shows by quite a bit.

How many of Frank's fighters have left to join this mob?

They don't even have a proper TV deal do they?

Nothing moody to see here, at all....

I think a few promotors will quietly be distancing themselves from MTK, very quietly though

Black Sam Bellamy wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 11:27 Indeed, he wouldnt win a British title at Super Feather.

Conveniently side stepped the British.
Barret, Cordina, and probably Galahad would give Archie all he could handle. I like him, but feel the dodging of domestic challenges a little suspect. As for calling out Stevenson, there needs to be at least two step up fights for Archie before that would be competitive. He's been nowhere near that level.
Good luck to him.

magnus wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 15:32 How many of Frank's fighters have left to join this mob?

They don't even have a proper TV deal do they?

Nothing moody to see here, at all....

The last one was on FreeSports and Premier Sports.

They’re gonna have all their events at Dubai aren’t they?

Conveniently that’s where Dan is isn’t he?

Yeah, funny coincidence that.

Anyway, I'm all for fighters talking themselves up a bit, but the idea that Stevenson is having sleepless nights over this kid is on another level.

Maybe look to beat a couple of top 10 British fighters first eh Arch?

magnus wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 15:32 How many of Frank's fighters have left to join this mob?

They don't even have a proper TV deal do they?

Nothing moody to see here, at all....

I’d say it’s about a third of his championship level fighters who’ve quietly moved on to Probellum.

Other than cash at the moment I don’t understand why. Frank’s not on form at the moment but the fighters will still get more exposure on BT than on a random channel down the EPG that does no advertising.

I can’t help but think they’re negotiating a significant U.K. broadcasting deal which will form part of their sell to fighters. Even if they get a deal it won’t take the tabloids long to make the link.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 15:51

magnus wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 15:32 How many of Frank's fighters have left to join this mob?

They don't even have a proper TV deal do they?

Nothing moody to see here, at all....

The last one was on FreeSports and Premier Sports.

They’re gonna have all their events at Dubai aren’t they?

Conveniently that’s where Dan is isn’t he?

They’re in Newcastle late March and Liverpool in April with Butler I think.

always a bit silly to see the world title talk with this guy, british level ability tops

maverick23 wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 16:20

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 15:51

magnus wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 15:32 How many of Frank's fighters have left to join this mob?

They don't even have a proper TV deal do they?

Nothing moody to see here, at all....

The last one was on FreeSports and Premier Sports.

They’re gonna have all their events at Dubai aren’t they?

Conveniently that’s where Dan is isn’t he?

They’re in Newcastle late March and Liverpool in April with Butler I think.

Oh Yh. Whose headlining Newcastle? Ritson?

What’s happening with Casimero?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 16:24

maverick23 wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 16:20

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 15:51

The last one was on FreeSports and Premier Sports.

They’re gonna have all their events at Dubai aren’t they?

Conveniently that’s where Dan is isn’t he?

They’re in Newcastle late March and Liverpool in April with Butler I think.

Oh Yh. Whose headlining Newcastle? Ritson?

What’s happening with Casimero?

Yep - Ritson.

Casimero fight is still happening as far as I’m aware.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 16:21 always a bit silly to see the world title talk with this guy, british level ability tops

Excuse me for being pedantic, but I'm not even convinced of that just yet.
I like the guy, fun to watch if your not hooked on waiting for the KO.
The fact he has passed over the top 4-5 guys is suspect, and because of that I'm not sure if he is right up there.

Now this is a fighter who is basically zero loss to Brick top.

He's looked like crap for several fights, and got a gift decision in a poor fight against a journeymen not long ago.

I think they were also trying to get him to fight Anthony Cacace, but he apparently didn't want to know.

If Stevenson does end up fighting him, which I doubt, it would be a complete miss-match in a very small fight.

he is a loss waiting to happen vs anyone half good. ofori beat him IMO

He should be embarrassed to mention Stevensons name considering his own performances.

TheLeprechaun wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 21:50 He should be embarrassed to mention Stevensons name considering his own performances.

I don't get it either.
In my mind he is very much a work in progress, not knocking on the door of a title shot.

i get what they're doing though. he's obviously very at risk vs good domestic opposition, so they gotta protect him to be able to capitalize on the high world ranking. basically summing up 2 of the worse partss of boxing 1. undeserving title challengers and 2. protected fighters

once he loses he'll probably be matched tougher in the uk and pick up several more loses. at british level there's interesting fights for him.