Archie Sharp Overcomes Early Scare to Secure Victory over Argentinian Opponent
London, UK – June 15, 2023 (BBC Sport) – Undefeated British boxer Archie Sharp, 25-0 (9 KOs), earned a hard-fought eight-round decision victory over Argentina’s Reuquen Cona Facundo Arce, 17-15-2 (7 KOs), in a thrilling super featherweight matchup.
Sharp, who was formerly ranked number one by the WBO before promotional changes and inactivity, found himself in early trouble against the aggressive Arce. The 29-year-old was floored twice in the opening round, first by a well-timed left hook and then another left hand shot. However, Arce’s reckless attacks allowed Sharp to survive the devastating opening stanza.
“Regrouping in the second round, Sharp took control of the center of the ring and switched to a southpaw stance, which proved effective in neutralizing Arce’s wild offensive.”
In the third, Sharp turned the tables, dropping Arce with a short left hook. The Argentinian managed to beat the count but was on unsteady legs.
From that point on, Sharp dictated the pace, using his jab and left hand to keep the aggressive but crude Arce at bay. While Sharp showcased his vulnerabilities when he opened up, his ability to control the range and land the cleaner shots ultimately secured him the 77-73 victory on the scorecards.
The win serves as a valuable learning experience for Archie Sharp, who was highly critical of his own performance between rounds. The British boxer will now look to quickly regain momentum and re-establish himself as a top contender in the stacked super featherweight division.
Co-main Event and Undercard Action
In the evening’s co-main event, Thetford cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher, 8-0 (6 KOs), maintained his undefeated record with a routine six-round decision over Viktar Chvarkou, 5-13 (3 KOs). The 6ft 7in “Norfolk Nightmare” showcased his southpaw jab and selective power punching en route to a comfortable 60-54 victory.
Elsewhere on the card, the promising Southampton super featherweight Royston Barney-Smith, 10-0 (5 KOs), outpointed Brazil’s Jonatas De Oliveira, 6-9 (5 KOs), over eight rounds. Barney-Smith’s mix of sharp jabs, body work, and accurate counter shots proved too much for the resilient De Oliveira.
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