HAMZAH SHEERAZ regarded each inch a middleweight colossus final night time (February 10) on the Copper Box in London.
The 24-year-old wanted only one spherical to comb apart Liam Williams to take his unbeaten file to 19-0 (15). However, the dearth of punch resistance the Welshman displayed in opposition to Chris Eubank Jr two years in the past was as soon as once more evident in opposition to 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 bother 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 unique kind of menace to the main gamers within the 160lbs division. But who ought to he face next 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 dealing with 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 battle beneath the Queensberry banner and within the present WBO rankings Heaney is ranked 4 whereas Sheeraz is one place beneath. Stoke City supporter Heaney is itching for a battle outside on the membership’s Bet365 Stadium and next month ought to he come by his first title defence in opposition to Brad Pauls then a summer season showdown in opposition to Sheeraz turns into a risk.
Denzel Bentley 18-3-1 (15)
Bentley’s repute went up a stage in November 2022 when he fell quick in opposition to 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 battle Nathan Heaney who ruined any plans for Sheeraz vs. Bentley in 2024. But the battle should still be revisited by their promoter Frank Warren. Bentley conceded he misplaced to the higher man in opposition to 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 prepare was derailed by Giovanni De Carolis of their 2016 super-middleweight rematch. The rebuild of his profession included 10 wins earlier than dealing with 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 would possibly characterize the kind of matchmaking Team Sheeraz are taking a look at after the win in opposition to Williams.
Maciej Sulecki 31-2 (12)
The 34-year-old Pole might be one other instance of intelligent matchmaking in constructing Sheeraz’s identify on the world scene. Sulecki’s two defeats got here in opposition to 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 repute would improve 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 drive 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 regarded 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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