HAMZAH SHEERAZ seemed each inch a middleweight colossus final evening (February 10) on the Copper Box in London.
The 24-year-old wanted only one spherical to brush apart Liam Williams to take his unbeaten file to 19-0 (15). However, the dearth of punch resistance the Welshman displayed towards Chris Eubank Jr two years in the past was as soon as once more evident towards Sheeraz. The former two-weight British champion and world middleweight contender was dropped twice and with lower than 30 seconds to go within the opening session discovered himself in a world of hassle earlier than coach Gary Lockett waved the white towel to save lots of his pal from additional punishment.
This was an illustration of Sheeraz’s energy and attributes which makes him a special sort of risk to the main gamers within the 160lbs division. But who should he face subsequent in his 20th contest? Boxing News presents 5 choices to think about.
Nathan Heaney 18-0 (6)
Up till November final 12 months not many would have entertained the considered Heaney going through Sheeraz. However, beating Denzel Bentley on November 16 not solely earned him the British middleweight title however now places him within the combine to face Sheeraz. Both fight beneath the Queensberry banner and within the present WBO rankings Heaney is ranked 4 whereas Sheeraz is one place under. Stoke City supporter Heaney is itching for a fight open air on the membership’s Bet365 Stadium and subsequent month should he come via his first title defence towards Brad Pauls then a summer season showdown towards Sheeraz turns into a risk.
Denzel Bentley 18-3-1 (15)
Bentley’s popularity went up a stage in November 2022 when he fell brief towards the world’s primary middleweight Janibek Alimkhanuly. However, in 2023 Bentley didn’t construct on that momentum. A one-round blowout of Kieran Smith in April was adopted by a seven-month wait earlier than returning to the ring to fight Nathan Heaney who ruined any plans for Sheeraz vs. Bentley in 2024. But the fight should be revisited by their promoter Frank Warren. Bentley conceded he misplaced to the higher man towards Heaney however believes his spouse’s being pregnant and eventual start of their youngster did have an effect on his preparation. The 29-year-old might nonetheless present a stiff check for Sheeraz.
Vincent Feigenbutz 36-3 (32)
Once one in every of Germany’s nice hopes the Feigenbutz hype practice was derailed by Giovanni De Carolis of their 2016 super-middleweight rematch. The rebuild of his profession included 10 wins earlier than going through Caleb Plant for the American’s IBF world strap. Plant was ranges above and stopped the German within the 10th spherical. Now down at middleweight the sturdy Feigenbutz may signify the kind of matchmaking Team Sheeraz are taking a look at after the win towards Williams.
Maciej Sulecki 31-2 (12)
The 34-year-old Pole may very well be one other instance of intelligent matchmaking in constructing Sheeraz’s title on the world scene. Sulecki’s two defeats got here towards top-level opposition in Daniel Jacobs and Demetrius Andrade, respectively. Three fights in 5 years for Sulecki since then raises eyebrows but when Sheeraz had been to supply one other demolition job then his popularity would enhance as soon as once more.
Liam Smith 33-4-1 (20)
The Liverpudlian has blended with world-class opposition between 154 and 160lbs for a number of years and in January 2021 proved he was nonetheless a power to be reckoned with stopping Chris Eubank Jr in 4 rounds. Eubank’s one-sided drubbing of their rematch eight months later levelled issues up however Smith’s preparations weren’t preferrred and seemed nowhere close to the fighter he was of their first encounter. The 35-year-old wouldn’t come low cost for Sheeraz and Frank Warren however at 100 per cent match and wholesome ‘Beefy’ might ask the questions of Sheeraz that may ultimately want answering.
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