MAXI Hughes defeated Archie Sharp in Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium after 12 rounds of activity that were difficult to watch for the most part. The winner picked up the vacant WBC ‘Silver’ super-lightweight bauble which serves as a possible route back to world class.
The unenviable task of the three judges saw a wide range of scores submitted. Mark Lyson had it 115-113, Andreas Stenberg went 116-112, and Hendrik Schramm posted 120-108. Maxi Hughes improved to 29-7-2 (6 KOs) while Archie Sharp dropped to 25-2 (9 KOs).
Returning from his first career loss, to Ryan Garner, it was a now-or-never evening for Sharp, who gave a good account of himself against the ‘Piranha’. Sharp was biting on many of Hughes’ early feints. The local man did his usual job of tucking up, tight and compact, sliding in and out of range as Sharp postured without potshotting much.
The early rounds were tactical, as neither man ventured forward long enough to take a risk or make a mistake. Hughes’ body shots scored the points, while tepid Sharp celebrated his own non-existent work through occasional waves of the gloves.
Finally, things lit up in round seven as Hughes landed a left hand out of the blue that stunned Sharp, sending him wobbling around the ring. The Welling man grinned and tried to ride it out, but he was visibly buzzed.
Referee Victor Loughlin kept a close eye on things, especially in the 10th as Sharp remained stuck on the end of Hughes’ southpaw jab. Sharp landed a glancing left hook in round 11, leading to another self-congratulatory moment from the mostly passive Sharp. He felt he had done enough, as did his corner. The trinity of judges disagreed unanimously.
