When 32 year old Aji Sharif turned professional in 2013 he had high hopes with his sole defeat as an amateur coming at the hands of Olympic Gold Medallist Anthony Joshua.
His professional career started off in good fashion with 3 straight victories including a stoppage. His fourth professional fight was set for December 2013 on a Goodwin Promotions Matchroom fight pass show where he took on 6 foot 9 ins “The Giant” Imantas Davidaitis. Davidaitis had been to the UK shores before knocking out Sheffield prospect David Howe in two rounds.
“It was a fight I was happy to take” said Sharif. I needed to beat the likes of Davidaitis to move onto toSouthern Area title level. However 6 weeks before the fight my trainer Andy Edge decided that he needed to take a break from training and I was left without a professional training establishment. Looking back I should have pulled out of the fight but I stupidly went through with it.” Sharif continued “People around me tried to help but it just was not working”.
Sharif went through with the fight to get knocked down twice in the first round and then getting stopped in the second. “My Manager/Promoter and his family were great afterwards. They all came to my dressing room and I could see they were as upset as me. A week later I went to Steve’s offices and told him I wanted an immediate rematch. Steve was initially reluctant to do this but it is pride. I have to avenge this loss. Steve then went and got me the best training camp which will be revealed after the fight. I am in the best shape both physically and mentally of my life”
Sharif finished by saying “I really need everyone’s support in this rematch as it is a career make or break for me”.
Sharif will be back under the lights on another Matchroom fight Pass show as he goes to avenge the loss. There is no doubt that this is an intriguing undercard clash supporting the Larry Ekundayo v Dale Evans (British Welterweight title eliminator) Lee Markham v Jahmaine Smyle (English Super-Middleweight title) and Johnny Garton v Nathan Weiss (Southern Area Welterweight title) clashes.
The show also features former Premiership professional footballer Leon McKenzie in his first title shot when he takes on Ivan Stupalo from Croatia for the International Masters Super-Middleweight title.
13 fights in all and one of the best non mainstream tv cards to be shown for a long time.
Remaining tickets can be obtained from either www.goodwinpromotions.co.uk or from Aji Sharif himself at www.iboxingtickets.com
Here is the full footage of the first Sharif v Davidiatis fight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gDI9RgNrB0