Impressive Sharp off to a winning start
Thornlie personal trainer Luke Sharp started his professional boxing career in winning style at Cockburn's Wally Hagan Basketball Stadium last night.
On a night when scheduled headliner Mark de Mori watched from a ringside seat after his opponent was ruled out at late notice, Sharp pounded his way to unanimous points win over Thailand's Terdkiat Siththeppitak in a four-round super-middleweight bout.
Sharp, 22, won every round on all three judges score cards on the back of a consistent and accurate jab, backed up by some heavy right hands.
"It felt awesome being out there and getting my hand raised," said Sharp, who is a former State amateur champion.
"I had no nerves coming into this because I've boxed so much as an amateur. I felt good coming in. I was fit and strong and it was a good workout.
"We did what we planned to do. I went in with a fast, hard jab and a high work rate."
Sharp will return to the ring on July 23 at the WA Italian Club where he takes on New South Welshman Stavros Karanicolas.
Promoter, trainer and boxer Riccardo Monteleone received a warm round of applause after he scored a six-round unanimous points win over New Zealand's Moses Ioelu.
As the promoter of last night's card, Monteleone had considered calling off the show when de Mori's Ghanaian opponent Ibrahim Marshall was unable to fight after failing a medical.
An emotional Monteleone, 44, took the microphone after his win to thank the fans who had backed the promotion despite the cancellation of the main event. De Mori also climbed into the ring to apologise to his fans.
Super-middleweight Jeremy Allan instead took top billing and blasted out Plaisakda Singwancha in the second round of their scheduled six-rounder.
Earlier, Jason Vanderstroom and Grant Hollwood fought a majority draw over four rounds.
