Latest news with #HamzahSheeraz
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Hamzah Sheeraz or Chris Eubank Jr - who will get the next shot at Canelo?
As soon as one fight is over, the modern boxer instantly eyes up their next move in the sweet science. Bouts are frequently confirmed and announced inside the ring moments after a winner is pronounced, whilst some champions are promoting future fights before they have faced their next scheduled opponent. Hamzah Sheeraz went into his clash with Edgar Berlanga knowing that victory would take him one step closer to a fight with Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez, Saturday night's bout an eliminator for the WBC super middleweight title. In the build-up to the fight, Berlanga often made reference to the fact that Sheeraz was supposedly in line for a shot at the undisputed champion at 168lbs, a position strengthened post-fight by boxing's kingmaker Turki Alalshikh. Despite Alalshikh's fondness for Sheeraz, the chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority has previously hinted at the Londoner's fellow Brit, Chris Eubank Jr, facing Canelo. Like Canelo, who faces Terence Crawford in one of the most anticipated fights in the 21st century, Eubank Jr is already scheduled to fight in September, the Eubank-Benn family rivalry reignited in a rematch with Conor Benn. But looking past September's fights, who is likelier to face Canelo – rising star Sheeraz, or veteran Chris Eubank Jr? The case for Hamzah Sheeraz Hamzah Sheeraz has a big advantage in securing a fight with Canelo. He is clearly favoured by Turki Alalshikh, as evidenced by his frequent involvement on Riyadh Season cards. Whilst the Londoner's knockout of Edgar Berlanga stole the show during The Ring's third promotion, it was a slight surprise to see a non-world title fight headline a card featuring lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson. Alalshikh is obviously keen to push Sheeraz as much as possible, and his plans for a fight with Canelo seem far more concrete than his previous comments on a match-up between Álvarez and Eubank Jr. The fact that Canelo's upcoming bout with Terence Crawford marks the second of a four-fight deal with Alalshikh suggests that boxing's kingmaker holds more negotiating power when it comes to teeing up a clash between the Mexican and Sheeraz. He took to social media after Sheeraz's victory on Saturday, stating the 26-year-old deserved to face Canelo in 2026. Hamzah now deserves Canelo in 2026🔥🥊 — TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) July 13, 2025 In his post-fight interview, Sheeraz still spoke of the fight as a possibility, rather than a certainty. Sheeraz commented: "I'm not gonna sit here and loudmouth someone like [Canelo], but it would be an honour to share the ring with him. It genuinely would. Someone who, like I said, I've looked up to. 'And the next thing you know, you're in the ring with them. Do you know what I mean? So, like I said, it's an accomplishment itself. But one thing I can guarantee is if I do ever share the ring with Canelo, it's not gonna be the case of what happened in his last fight [against William Scull], where his opponent was trying to run. "I promise you guys, like it's on camera here, even if I get knocked out, I will stand there and trade with him at the end of the day. Do you know what I mean? 'So, I'll put on a good performance, because that's what it's about … being great, daring to be great. And I know I'll do just that." The case for Chris Eubank Jr Chris Eubank Jr started his boxing career away from the UK to avoid the weight of his family name, the super middleweight named after his world champion father Chris Eubank. However, even 'Next Gen' could not deny the benefits of having boxing royalty for a father. Despite his lack of world title fights, Eubank Jr has always been able to command a high profile, with his name recognised both sides of the Atlantic. Although Canelo's name alone can sell a fight, the Mexican has proven to be just as canny a businessman as he is a boxer, and Álvarez will know that a fight with Eubank Jr will likely generate more money than a bout against Sheeraz. The timelines also line up, with Canelo facing Terence Crawford on September 13, a week before Eubank Jr's rematch with Conor Benn. Canelo and Eubank Jr are also in the mid-thirties, at 34 and 35 respectively, likely meaning that they will need similar recovery times before returning to the ring to face each other. Both Eubank Jr's manager, Elliott Amoakoh, and promoter, Ben Shalom, have spoken with confidence about a fight with Canelo being made after facing Benn for a second time. In June, Amoakah told talkSPORT: 'Hopefully Canelo gets through Terence Crawford, we get through Conor Benn and then they'll do it next. 'So that's the negotiations going on right now. Turki [Alalshikh] promised it to us. If Chris comes through that, Eubank Jr-Canelo, here we go. That's what we want. We get through Conor Benn and then we want Canelo.' The only sticking point is that rematch with Benn. Although Eubank Jr took a unanimous decision victory over his rival, it came at great physical cost. Another all-out war not only carries the danger of further excessive wear and tear, but also a loss to Benn. Defeat could impact Eubank Jr's stock – or lead to a trilogy bout with Benn, rather than a match-up with Canelo. Could Canelo end up fighting both Hamzah Sheeraz and Chris Eubank Jr? Canelo's desire for a stadium fight in the UK possibly opens the door for another fight against a Brit. Despite enjoying a healthy record over British fighters, Álvarez has never fought in the UK, with his eight victories over Brits taking place in the US and Mexico. For example, if Canelo was to fight Sheeraz out in the States, perhaps afterwards the 'Brit Basher' could make his Wembley dream come true with a bout against Eubank Jr under the arch. Although helped by the rivalry with Conor Benn, Eubank Jr has proven that he is a headlining-draw in the UK, having sold out stadiums before. Ultimately, Canelo will likely pick opponents that generate the most money - with Sheeraz's Saudi backing and Eubank Jr's name-appeal, both fighters could yet share the ring with the face of boxing. Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Britain's Sheeraz stops Berlanga as Stevenson retains title
Hamzah Sheeraz held the European and Commonwealth middleweight titles between 2022 and 2024. [Getty Images] Britain's Hamzah Sheeraz made a successful step up to super middleweight with a destructive fifth-round stoppage victory against Edgar Berlanga in New York. In the other co-main event, Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC lightweight world title with a unanimous decision victory over William Zepeda. Advertisement Sheeraz, 26, knocked Berlanga down twice in the fourth round and again at the start of the fifth to force the referee to end the fight. The impressive victory improves Sheeraz's record to 22-0, with one draw and 18 wins inside the distance. It was the Briton's first fight since that draw - against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames in February - after which he decided to make the step up to super middleweight. Berlanga's record is now 23-2 after a second defeat in three fights, with March's stoppage of Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz preceded by a unanimous points defeat by Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. Advertisement Meanwhile, Stevenson comfortably won on all three judges' scorecards against Zepeda to make a third defence of his WBC lightweight title. Two judges scored the bout 118-110 and a third saw it 119-109 for the 28-year-old American, who improved his unbeaten record to 24-0 with 11 knockouts. It was a first career defeat for Mexican Zepeda, 29, whose record is now 33-1. The card was held at the Louis Armstrong Stadium, one of the show courts at Flushing Meadows, host venue of the US Open tennis. More boxing from the BBC
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Britain's Sheeraz stops Berlanga as Stevenson retains title
Britain's Hamzah Sheeraz made a successful step up to super middleweight with a destructive fifth-round stoppage victory against Edgar Berlanga in New the other co-main event, Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC lightweight world title with a unanimous decision victory over William 26, knocked Berlanga down twice in the fourth round and again at the start of the fifth to force the referee to end the impressive victory improves Sheeraz's record to 22-0, with one draw and 18 wins inside the was the Briton's first fight since that draw - against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames in February - after which he decided to make the step up to super record is now 23-2 after a second defeat in three fights, with March's stoppage of Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz preceded by a unanimous points defeat by Saul 'Canelo' Stevenson comfortably won on all three judges' scorecards against Zepeda to make a third defence of his WBC lightweight judges scored the bout 118-110 and a third saw it 119-109 for the 28-year-old American, who improved his unbeaten record to 24-0 with 11 was a first career defeat for Mexican Zepeda, 29, whose record is now card was held at the Louis Armstrong Stadium, one of the show courts at Flushing Meadows, host venue of the US Open tennis.
The Guardian
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Britain's Hamzah Sheeraz crushes Edgar Berlanga to announce 168lb arrival
Rising British star Hamzah Sheeraz made an explosive arrival to boxing's super middleweight division on Saturday night, stopping Edgar Berlanga in the fifth round of their bout at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. The destructive performance marked a resounding debut at 168lb for the 26-year-old from Ilford and dramatically altered the landscape of a weight class ruled by Saul 'Canelo' Álvarez. Fighting in the main event of a Ring Magazine card staged on the No 2 show court of the US Open tennis tournament, Sheeraz dropped Berlanga twice in the fourth round before closing the show 17 seconds into the fifth. It was the kind of showcase that not only silences critics but instantly propels a fighter from prospect to contender – and in this case, into potential lucrative matchups with the likes of Álvarez or David Benavidez. The setting for Sheeraz's career-best win was just as striking as the action. For the first time, the grounds of the US Open hosted a professional boxing card, transforming Louis Armstrong Stadium from the spiritual home of American tennis into a midsummer prizefighting stage. Originally slated for Central Park, the event instead brought Turki al-Sheikh's Ring series indoors beneath the stadium's retractable roof, offering welcome relief from New York's July swelter and a robust turnout that filled the lower bowl and pushed into the second tier. The scene was crackling with energy – a sharp contrast from May's sparsely attended Times Square card – and a fitting capstone to a boxing-heavy weekend in New York that had begun with Katie Taylor's win over Amanda Serrano on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) was making his super middleweight bow after a disappointing split draw against Carlos Adames at 160lb in February. In the wake of that result, he enlisted former middleweight champion Andy Lee as his trainer and moved up in weight. Both decisions looked inspired on Saturday. After a slow first three rounds, Sheeraz took control in the fourth. He slipped under a Berlanga uppercut and countered with a left hook that sent the Brooklyn native crashing flat onto his back and half under the ropes. Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) beat the count but never recovered. Seconds later, Sheeraz dropped him again with a crisp left-right combination that sent him clattering to the canvas, seemingly more dazed than defiant. The bell temporarily spared Berlanga, but Sheeraz needed just one more salvo in the fifth – a right-left that left Berlanga sagging – to prompt referee David Fields' rightful intervention. 'I promise you, I swear to you, whoever was in the ring with me today, there was no stopping me,' Sheeraz said afterward. 'The amount of abuse I got after the last fight made me a hungrier fighter.' The difference in class and composure was evident. Berlanga's only claim to fame was going the distance with Álvarez in 2023. On Saturday, he was overwhelmed against the taller, rangier Briton who accomplished what Canelo couldn't. The power that once led him to 16 straight first-round knockouts never materialized, while his defense left wide gaps for Sheeraz to exploit. He has now been stopped for the first time in his career and leaves with more questions than answers about his future. Sheeraz, on the other hand, looks like a genuine threat in a stacked weight class. His size, reach, and poise – not to mention his jab, which he used masterfully in the early rounds – suggest he belongs among the elite. Whether Álvarez, Benavidez or someone else will be next remains to be seen. But on a night where the crowd nearly filled the second deck of the 14,000-seat stadium, he managed to win them over despite the hometown credentials of his Brooklyn-bred victim. In the co-feature bout, Shakur Stevenson turned in one of the more entertaining performances of his career, defeating Mexico's William Zepeda by unanimous decision to retain his WBC lightweight title. The ringside judges handed down scores of 119–109 and 118–110 (twice), but the fight was more spirited than the cards suggest. Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) came into the ring under intense pressure to deliver a more fan-friendly performance after a widely panned win over Artem Harutyunyan last July. On Saturday, he answered that criticism by standing his ground, exchanging with one of the division's more aggressive fighters and showcasing both his technical mastery and his tenacity. 'I came in here to prove a point,' Stevenson said in the ring. 'It wasn't the performance I was looking for because I came in here to try and fight, so I took more punishment than usual. But I proved that I'm a dog.' Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs) landed more power punches on Stevenson than any previous opponent, including a hard straight right in the third round that appeared to stun the 2016 Olympic silver medallist. Yet Stevenson responded with poise and precision, unloading crisp counters and blinding combinations that repeatedly turned Zepeda's head and backed him up. As early as the second round, Stevenson was standing in the pocket, trading head shots while slipping and rolling Zepeda's best body work in his signature Philly shell defense. In the middle rounds, he took over completely, doubling and tripling up on the jab, then following with sharp lefts and uppercuts. Zepeda remained game, pressing forward and refusing to wilt, but Stevenson's craft gradually dismantled the Mexican's offense. By the 10th, the challenger's output had slowed and Stevenson began using his legs more sparingly, clinching only when absolutely necessary. For Stevenson, the fight marked a reassertion of dominance in a 135lb division where a unification bout with Gervonta Davis looms as one of the sport's most compelling matchups. Earlier in the evening, Subriel Matías captured the vacant WBC super lightweight title with a majority decision over the previously unbeaten Alberto Puello, while Cuban light heavyweight David Morrell showed grit to rally from a fifth-round knockdown and edge Imam Khataev on a split decision.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Britain's Hamzah Sheeraz crushes Edgar Berlanga to announce 168lb arrival
Rising British star Hamzah Sheeraz made an explosive arrival to boxing's super middleweight division on Saturday night, stopping Edgar Berlanga in the fifth round of their bout at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. The destructive performance marked a resounding debut at 168lb for the 26-year-old from Ilford and dramatically altered the landscape of a weight class ruled by Saul 'Canelo' Álvarez. Fighting in the main event of a Ring Magazine card staged on the No 2 show court of the US Open tennis tournament, Sheeraz dropped Berlanga twice in the fourth round before closing the show 17 seconds into the fifth. It was the kind of showcase that not only silences critics but instantly propels a fighter from prospect to contender – and in this case, into potential lucrative matchups with the likes of Álvarez or David Benavidez. Advertisement The setting for Sheeraz's career-best win was just as striking as the action. For the first time, the grounds of the US Open hosted a professional boxing card, transforming Louis Armstrong Stadium from the spiritual home of American tennis into a midsummer prizefighting stage. Originally slated for Central Park, the event instead brought Turki al-Sheikh's Ring series indoors beneath the stadium's retractable roof, offering welcome relief from New York's July swelter and a robust turnout that filled the lower bowl and pushed into the second tier. The scene was crackling with energy – a sharp contrast from May's sparsely attended Times Square card – and a fitting capstone to a boxing-heavy weekend in New York that had begun with Katie Taylor's win over Amanda Serrano on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) was making his super middleweight bow after a disappointing split draw against Carlos Adames at 160lb in February. In the wake of that result, he enlisted former middleweight champion Andy Lee as his trainer and moved up in weight. Both decisions looked inspired on Saturday. After a slow first three rounds, Sheeraz took control in the fourth. He slipped under a Berlanga uppercut and countered with a left hook that sent the Brooklyn native crashing flat onto his back and half under the ropes. Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) beat the count but never recovered. Seconds later, Sheeraz dropped him again with a crisp left-right combination that sent him clattering to the canvas, seemingly more dazed than defiant. The bell temporarily spared Berlanga, but Sheeraz needed just one more salvo in the fifth – a right-left that left Berlanga sagging – to prompt referee David Fields' rightful intervention. Advertisement 'I promise you, I swear to you, whoever was in the ring with me today, there was no stopping me,' Sheeraz said afterward. 'The amount of abuse I got after the last fight made me a hungrier fighter.' The difference in class and composure was evident. Berlanga's only claim to fame was going the distance with Álvarez in 2023. On Saturday, he was overwhelmed against the taller, rangier Briton who accomplished what Canelo couldn't. The power that once led him to 16 straight first-round knockouts never materialized, while his defense left wide gaps for Sheeraz to exploit. He has now been stopped for the first time in his career and leaves with more questions than answers about his future. Sheeraz, on the other hand, looks like a genuine threat in a stacked weight class. His size, reach, and poise – not to mention his jab, which he used masterfully in the early rounds – suggest he belongs among the elite. Whether Álvarez, Benavidez or someone else will be next remains to be seen. But on a night where the crowd nearly filled the second deck of the 14,000-seat stadium, he managed to win them over despite the hometown credentials of his Brooklyn-bred victim. In the co-feature bout, Shakur Stevenson turned in one of the more entertaining performances of his career, defeating Mexico's William Zepeda by unanimous decision to retain his WBC lightweight title. The ringside judges handed down scores of 119–109 and 118–110 (twice), but the fight was more spirited than the cards suggest. Advertisement Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) came into the ring under intense pressure to deliver a more fan-friendly performance after a widely panned win over Artem Harutyunyan last July. On Saturday, he answered that criticism by standing his ground, exchanging with one of the division's more aggressive fighters and showcasing both his technical mastery and his tenacity. 'I came in here to prove a point,' Stevenson said in the ring. 'It wasn't the performance I was looking for because I came in here to try and fight, so I took more punishment than usual. But I proved that I'm a dog.' Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs) landed more power punches on Stevenson than any previous opponent, including a hard straight right in the third round that appeared to stun the 2016 Olympic silver medallist. Yet Stevenson responded with poise and precision, unloading crisp counters and blinding combinations that repeatedly turned Zepeda's head and backed him up. As early as the second round, Stevenson was standing in the pocket, trading head shots while slipping and rolling Zepeda's best body work in his signature Philly shell defense. In the middle rounds, he took over completely, doubling and tripling up on the jab, then following with sharp lefts and uppercuts. Advertisement Zepeda remained game, pressing forward and refusing to wilt, but Stevenson's craft gradually dismantled the Mexican's offense. By the 10th, the challenger's output had slowed and Stevenson began using his legs more sparingly, clinching only when absolutely necessary. For Stevenson, the fight marked a reassertion of dominance in a 135lb division where a unification bout with Gervonta Davis looms as one of the sport's most compelling matchups. Earlier in the evening, Subriel Matías captured the vacant WBC super lightweight title with a majority decision over the previously unbeaten Alberto Puello, while Cuban light heavyweight David Morrell showed grit to rally from a fifth-round knockdown and edge Imam Khataev on a split decision.
