Archie Sharp makes WBO European title defence – but could clash with Commonwealth champ Zelfa Barrett be next?
by Richard Cawley
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Archie Sharp defends his WBO European super-featherweight title on Saturday night – with his promoter Frank Warren keen on matching him against Zelfa Barrett.
Welling’s Sharp will look to move to 19-0 as he faces Jeff Ofori at BT Sport’s studio in Stratford. Manchester’s Barrett is 23-1 and the Commonwealth champion.
Warren announced recently that he wanted to join forces with rival Eddie Hearn to put on the best domestic bouts.
Warren is aligned with BT Sport while Hearn has exclusivity of putting on shows on Sky Sports.
Warren released a statement pitching a heavyweight clash between Greenwich’s Daniel Dubois and Dereck Chisora. He also mooted Croydon’s Charlie Edwards taking on Khalid Yafai, Bermondsey’s Ted Cheeseman facing Hamzah Sheeraz and a mouthwatering light-heavyweight dust-up between Croydon’s Joshua Buatsi and former world title challenger Anthony Yarde.
“Let’s stop any tactical maneuvering and deliver the fans the fights they want to see,” said Warren. “Our broadcast partner BT Sport fully buys into the concept. If Sky Sports are of the same mindset an equitable distribution of the fights can be worked out.”
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