BOXING heads to Doncaster on Friday night as Terri Harper attempts a first defence of her WBO lightweight world title, but Maxi Hughes and Archie Sharp could steal the show in another intriguing battle at 135lbs.
Four weeks after the Eco-Power Stadium celebrated Doncaster Rovers F.C.’s rise into the third division, the South Yorkshire venue hosts a different kind of promotion – a GBM Sports card involving nine fighters from God’s Own County.
In the co-main event, former IBO lightweight champion Maxi Hughes, 28-7-2 (6 KOs), hopes to continue his resurgence after suffering back-to-back defeats against George Kambosos Jr. and William Zepeda across the pond, which caused him to fall out of world title contention.
Since those losses, 35-year-old Hughes has bounced back with a first stoppage win in six fights on what was his GBM Sports debut, before flying out to Monaco and outpointing Gary Cully as the away corner fighter on a Matchroom bill.
Now considered one of GBM’s standout fighters, Hughes returns on home soil and hopes to mount a run towards a first career world title shot with one of the four recognised sanctioning bodies, currently ranked as the WBA #4, WBC #13, and IBF #14.
Meanwhile, Kent-born Archie Sharp, 25-1 (9 KOs), lost his undefeated record last time out in a well-matched affair against current European super-featherweight champion Ryan Garner – although Sharp would be the first to admit that he boxed the wrong fight.
After starting well and looking like he could possibly outbox the well-rated Garner to spring the upset, Sharp began to exchange with the ‘Piranha’ too regularly and got drawn into a fight that suited the favourite, a move that ultimately cost him a unanimous decision loss.
Now moving up in weight, Sharp’s speed and size should serve him well but the experienced Hughes represents a tough lightweight debut, despite ‘Maximus’ possibly lacking the punch power to give his opponent a rude awakening to life at 135lbs.
MAXI HUGHES vs ARCHIE SHARP FIGHT PREDICTION
Although jumping up in size and levels, Archie Sharp favours his skillset to come out on top, boasting eye-catching speed and footwork that will allow him to capitalise if Hughes is anything less than his best
Yet, the ringcraft, experience and newfound form of Hughes in recent years, as well as his comfort at the weight, make him an understandable favourite with the bookmakers..
We anticipate a closely fought battle that will go to the scorecards, with Hughes narrowly doing enough to win in front of his Doncaster faithful.
