Declan Geraghty ready to ace IQ test and upset silly Billy Sharp
He is promising a new direct and aggressive approach, but Declan Geraghty [19(4)-4(3)] believes brains and not brawn will be the deciding factor when he faces Archie Sharp [16(8)-0] on Friday night.
The Dublin super featherweight challenges the English world level hopeful for his WBO European ranking title on the undercard of the big Daniel Dubious topped Frank Warren card this weekend.
Sharp has been referencing ‘Pretty Boy’s’ step up defeats in the build up to the now eagerly anticipated clash – the 24-year-old seems to be drawing confidence from his opponent’s Jono Carroll, James Tennyson and Marco McCullough reverses.
However, Geraghty warns looking into such defeats, two of which came against recent world title challengers, would prove ‘silly’.
“I’m here to spoil the party,” said Geraghty.
“If he has overlooked me he is silly. I think it’s down to who has the best boxing IQ.”
Noted as a stylist Geraghty has been hinting at a more aggressive approach this weekend.
Some have argued that Geraghty has the ability to out box a fellow boxer, pointing out his best career performance was against fellow slick operator Johnny Quigley, whilst noting his biggest defeats came against pressure fighters.
Yet the fighter who is trained by his father of the same name says he is going to bring the fight to a back foot operator he feels has yet to be tested.
“I am gonna come forward and put the pressure on him,” he adds.
“Archie is a good boxer, rangy, switches and moves well. I’m not really worried about him because he hasn’t been tested. He beat Lyon Woodstock and Jordan McCorry who I don’t rate at all.”
“No ifs or buts, I am becoming WBO European super-featherweight. I’m a crazy Irishman and here to fight.”
The show and Sharp’s promoter Frank Warren, whom Geraghty has been promising to disappoint all week, is expecting the Irish fighter to test his foe in a fight of the night contender.
“Archie is in title winning habits, an ambitious young man, but he has a tough challenge. It is going to be fireworks and great for the fans.
Daniel Dubois headlines the bill when he meets Ghana’s Ebenezer Tetteh for the vacant Commonwealth heavyweight crown and WBO flyweight champion Nicola Adams defends her title for the first time against experienced Mexican Maria Salinas, live on BT Sport.
Photo credit @roundnboutmedia
