Archie Sharp has taken some time to reflect on his loss to Ryan Garner and the 29-year-old insists that when he does return to action, he will do so as a bigger, better fighter.
In July, Sharp and Garner met in a meaningful domestic junior lightweight fight in the UK.
Although both fighters have been professionals for the best part of a decade, it was undoubtedly the toughest test of either man’s career. Over 10 bloody rounds, the younger Garner steadily imposed himself on the fight and ran out a deserved winner.
A couple of impressive early career performances saw Sharp obtain a high ranking with the WBO and he chose to go down the route of climbing towards a mandatory title shot rather than mixing with his domestic rivals. Although he continued to hold a high ranking, a world title fight proved elusive and he slipped away from public view as he endured periods of promotional upheaval. Sharp continued to tick along and notch up wins away from the limelight but the fight with Garner was his first significant fight in some time.
Sharp has picked the bones out of the night and believes that the defeat was down to his own lack of composure as much as Garner’s ability.
“Everything happens for a reason. I’m a big believer of that,” Sharp, 25-1 (9 KOs) told Queensberry.
“It’s fair to say that we was in a good fight. It was a good night of boxing, I just got a little bit carried away after the cuts. The first couple of rounds was nice. I was boxing well, doing exactly what I needed to do and that’s making him miss.
“I think once the cuts appeared I threw the game plan out of the way, let my ego take over and then, unfortunately, I just got into a bit of a brawl really.
“I feel it was a close fight but I think Garner was definitely the winner but I say if I’d have stuck to my boxing I would have done what I know I needed to do but it is what it is.
“I did the build up and what did I say? Ryan’s going to get fit, come forward and do that and that’s all he done. Myself, I was the idiot who didn’t stick to what I do best, which is to box and move, hit and don’t get hit.
“It’s down to my own fault. I don’t think I was beaten by someone who’s got better skills than myself. Again, I’m not being disrespectful here, this is what I genuinely believe. If I just do what Archie Sharp does I would have beat him that night. I didn’t so I’ve had to learn the hard way. I’ve had to reassess things back in camp and I’m looking forward to bouncing back
“There’s been a few changes back in camp behind the closed doors. I’m looking forward to showcasing what we’ve been doing.”
The loss clearly hasn’t curbed Sharp’s enthusiasm or self belief.
He is keen to return to action and although he now has a loss on his record, he should be a much better and, excuse the pun, sharper fighter having shared ten solid rounds with the talented, tough ‘Piranha’. The key will be to get back in the ring as quickly as possible and he will now need to maintain a high level of opposition.
Sharp is also considering abandoning his long running campaign at junior lightweight and starting anew at 135lbs.
“I’ve been competing at this weight since I turned pro,” he said. “I’m highly ranked in the WBO and I’ve been kind of holding on to that for the last many years so it has been getting tighter. My last good run at 130 was, I would say in 2019, but 135lbs is definitely something I’m looking at. I’m big for the weight at 130lbs and I’m a fair size at 135lbs. Skills pay the bills and if I do what I know I can do I believe I’ll take over at 135lbs.”
John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79
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