HAMZAH SHEERAZ says that a fight between himself and Denzel Bentley is worthy of being for a prize greater than the British title.
The two middleweights, each promoted by Frank Warren, have been linked to going through each other on the finish of this yr. In this month’s British Boxing Board of Control round it was famous that British middleweight champion Bentley would defend his title against Sheeraz 17-0 (13) ‘on a date and venue to be advised’.
It’s by no means as easy as that and different avenues typically stay open able to be explored. Bentley had been linked to a rematch against WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly however the Kazakh appears set to face IBF champion Vincenzo Gualtieri in a unification which might happen in October.
As a part of the Oleksandr Usyk-Daniel Dubois undercard Sheeraz returns to motion on Saturday night time in Wroclaw, Poland against Ukrainian Dmytro Mytrofanov 13-0-1 (6). It will be Sheeraz’ first outing of 2023 having signed off from 2022 with a two-round demolition of River Wilson-Bent in November. A win with out damage might ramp up the noise for a fight against Bentley who himself is trying to field for a second time this yr after blowing away Kieran Smith in a single spherical 4 months in the past.
“It’s one of the easier fights to make in the division especially being under the same promoter,” Sheeraz said during a sit-down interview with One On One Boxing.
“I remember saying, ‘Let’s do it for the British Hamzah Sheeraz hopes a fight against Denzel Bentley can be for a world title’ but reflecting on it it’s much bigger than the British. Maybe it will happen end of the year, early next year, for an eliminator or if he wins a world title or I do. It’s a rivalry that’s very natural. Nothing’s forced on both ends. It’s a very natural rivalry and one I’m definitely looking forward to making happen.”
With neither man significantly one to shout from the rooftops in the course of the build-up to a fight Sheeraz says that any respect for Bentley or any opponent can solely be given after they share a ring collectively.
“It’s natural competition at the end of the day,” he mentioned, respectfully.
“I know people say, ‘Yeah, there’s respect there; but personally, for me you can never really respect the man who’s trying to take food off your table until you’ve shared the ring and settled your dispute, and you understand who the better man is. I think not until then there won’t be the respect that there should be but that’s all better for the public and the fight.”
Since making his mark with knockout performances, his final 11 failing to listen to the ultimate bell, the 6ft 3ins middleweight has been tipped to go on to nice issues with Frank Warren considered one of his loudest supporters. Sheeraz instructed One On One how he wish to see his profession play out over the subsequent 10 years.
“Ideally, I want to win my first title at 160. So, whether that be end of this year, early next year I want it to be soon. In an ideal world unify at 160. Move up to 168 and finish my career at 175 or maybe even touching cruiserweight one day. Ten years takes me to 34. Be done by 34 and then just travel the world.”
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