Fans have their say on who they want as Hamzah Sheeraz next opponent
Queensberry Promotions released a graphic on their social media yesterday, listing five fighters that their breakout star, Hamzah Sheeraz, could potentially fight next, asking fight fans for their choice of opponent.
The 24-year-old middleweight sensation defended his WBC Silver and Commonwealth titles in devastating fashion last weekend, February 10, with a swift first-round knockout of two-weight British champion and world title contender Liam Williams, knocking “The Machine” down twice in under 160 seconds.
It was such an incredible performance that promoter Frank Warren has already called out a middleweight world champion as the Ilford man’s next target. As the British Muslim takes time out for Ramadan, there’s a window for his team to plot his next move, so his promotional outfit asked the fans who they want to see the unbeaten prospect face next.
The list comprised of Chris Eubank Jr, Liam Smith, Nathan Heaney, Denzel Bentley, Janibek Alimkhanuly.
And the top choice was unanimous.
Chris Eubank Jr took the people’s vote, with Nathan Heaney for the British middleweight title in second.
Hardly any fans mentioned IBF and WBO world middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, seemingly because it’s a fight they believes requires building up to.
Two-time middleweight champion Denzel Bentley was regarded as a good test to step up to world level, as a performance against the two-time British middleweight holder could provide a measuring stick for the potential Alimkhanuly fight. The Battersea boxer fought the fearsome Kazakh in 2022, winning at least four rounds against the unbeaten champion from the away corner in Las Vegas, losing via unanimous decision after 12 competitive rounds.
Former world champion, Liam Smith, now aged 35, was mentioned in the same capacity as Denz, with fans believing it could provide a good test for young Sheeraz before he steps up to world level.
Ramadan lasts from March 10 to April 9, so it could be a few more weeks of anticipation and guessing before any future opponents are announced just yet.