Ryan Garner Defeats Archie Sharp; Moses Itauma Knocks Out Mariusz Wach In 2nd Round

In a meeting of unbeaten junior lightweights Ryan Garner won a 10-round unanimous decision over Archie Sharp.

The 26-year-old Garner, who has been a professional since 2016, edged matters 98-92, 97-93 and 97-93 in their TNT Sports/ESPN+ co-feature Saturday evening at London’s O2 Arena.

Sharp started fast using impressive lateral movement to befuddle Garner, who tried to close the distance. Sharp landed a nice right hand over the top to seal the opening round.

However, Sharp was cut above the left eye from a clash of heads as Garner closed the distance. A left hand from Sharp on the backfoot landed clean and hurt Garner in the later stages of the third round causing his legs to dip.

The cut on Sharp’s left eye got worse and there was blood around his face in the fourth. The more aggressive Garner enjoyed further success and forced Sharp backwards to the ropes.

There was a clear pattern of Sharp starting every round using his nibble footwork but got drawn in a fight which suited the stronger more aggressive Garner.

Garner hurt Sharp and looking to stay away from the heavier-handed Garner in the fifth-round.

The pace slowed in the later rounds and which saw both men have some moments but in the end it was Garner who won the day.

Garner threw 540 punches and landed 147; while Sharp threw 409 and landed 128 punches.

Heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma scored a coming of age second round win over usually durable Mariusz Wach.

Itauma made a real statement by stopping the old warhorse quickest. Previously Wach had fought Wladimir Klitschko (L TKO UD) for the Ring, IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles in 2012 and has shared the ring with many top names and usually gone the distance in losing efforts.

However, time and tide waits for no man and Itauma (10-0, 8 KOs), who is 25-years younger proved too fast and dropped Wach (38-11, 20 KOs) heavily with a rapid fire combination. To the big Pole’s credit he gathered himself and tried to fight on but Itauma was too quick and landed several more punches prompting Michael Alexander to jump in and call a halt to the action at 2:30 of the second-round.

Afterward his promoter, Frank Warren championed his teenage prospect and mentioned he is ready to fight for the British title.

The future of British Heavyweight boxing is NOW!

Moses Itauma finishes Mariusz Wach in round 2! #JoyceChisora | LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/vAKLroAgin

— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) July 27, 2024

Last summer rising junior featherweight prospect Dennis McCann and seasoned professional Ionut Baluta fought to an unsatisfactory ninth-round draw. Fast forward 11-months and McCann came of age, leaving no doubt with a comprehensive 12-round unanimous decision over Baluta.

Since their first go-around McCann has changed trainers decamping to Liverpool to work with Joe McNally, that and added maturity saw him put on a measured and disciplined display that belied his 23-years of age.

McCann was awarded the lopsided decision 120-108, 117-111 x 2.

Baluta came out throwing punches from all angles but was picked off by McCann was kept his composure and used his better skills to get a strong early foothold in the contest.

McCann (16-0-1, 8 KOs) hurt Baluta in (16-5-1, 3 KOs) the later stages of the seventh round with a bodyshot but the end of the round came before he could fully take advantage.

The 30-year-old Romanian-based Brit dug in and remained game though was out-gunned. Unlike in their first meeting McCann didn’t slow down, this time it was Baluta, who felt the pace in the later stages.

McCann had Baluta hurt in the penultimate round, snapping his head back several times showing a wide array of his repertoire.

It was by far the best performance of McCann’s career as he graduated to contender status by collecting the vacant European title to go along with his British and Commonwealth titles.

McCann landed an impressive 59 percent of his punches.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him on 

Twitter@AnsonWainwright