Following an unexpected detour in his otherwise perfect record, Hamzah Sheeraz, the British middleweight prospect, has hit the reset button. The catalyst? A challenging night in Riyadh this past February, where a planned ascent to a WBC world championship ended not in victory, but in a frustrating draw against Carlos Adames.
Now, with the dust settled and lessons learned, Sheeraz (21-0-1, 17 KOs) is charting a new course. This path involves a significant shift: a move up in weight class and a collaboration with a new trainer known for revitalizing careers. His immediate focus? A headline bout against Edgar Berlanga (23-1-0, 18 KOs) in New York this Saturday – a litmus test right out of the gate in his new division.
Reflecting on that pivotal night in Saudi Arabia, Sheeraz offers a refreshingly candid assessment. He doesn`t mince words and, notably, points the finger squarely at himself.
“I didn’t blame anyone,” he states, taking full ownership. “It was all down to myself and the decisions I made. It`s like that saying: how can you complain about the mess the wind has made when I was the one who opened the window?” A concise, almost poetic way of saying `my bad`.
He delves deeper into the in-ring struggles. The strategy, it seems, was the undoing. “I should have adapted a lot quicker and my whole game plan should have been different,” he admits, even acknowledging the hand injury sustained mid-fight. The instruction was to box, a style he wasn`t naturally inclined towards, leading to indecision when his instincts screamed otherwise. There was “a little bit of friction” between corner advice and his own feeling, a classic boxer`s dilemma amplified in the heat of a tough fight. It wasn`t pressure, he says, but indecisiveness born from an unfamiliar approach.
He stresses again, “I’m not blaming anyone,” but highlights that the game plan was one he “was never familiar with,” and one his coach at the time was “adamant on sticking to.” Inside the ropes, instincts and experience matter more than rigid adherence to an uncomfortable strategy. He puts it down to “a little bit of inexperience” and, quite simply, “kind of panicking on the night, not rising to the occasion.” Unvarnished honesty, indeed.
Then there was the small detail of a broken hand, sustained around the fourth round. This wasn`t a minor sprain; it fundamentally altered his ability to fight his fight. “Every time I was trying to hit him, I only hit him like 20 per cent of the way,” he recounts. He pushed through, but it was enough only “to get the draw, not enough to get the win.” A difficult pill to swallow when your primary weapons are compromised.
Heading into Riyadh, Sheeraz had been riding a wave of momentum – undefeated, a knockout threat, a hometown hero. The draw and the subsequent criticism were a stark reminder of boxing`s unforgiving nature. Now, he views it with a healthy, albeit slightly world-weary, perspective.
“I’ve come to the realisation that boxing is full of opinions,” he notes, dryly adding, “and that’s what makes boxing great, right? All these opinions; it makes the boxing world go round.” The sport is a rollercoaster, “You have your good days, you have your bad days.”
While online commentary is par for the course, the reaction closer to home stung more. When the “golden boy expectation” wasn`t met for “one fight,” the energy shifted. Certain individuals within his team and close circle showed their true colours.
Yet, he views this difficult moment as a strange sort of gift. “It was a blessing,” he reflects, “because I’ve downsized massively in terms of the team. I know it will do me a world of good.” Sometimes, adversity provides clarity, clearing the path of fair-weather companions.
With the past examined and the inner circle tightened, Sheeraz focused on rebuilding. The key? Consistency and perspective. “It’s not the end of the world,” he realised. Instead, the setback became “that extra hunger and that extra fuel to the fire, really grit your teeth and crack on.”
His first major step was a change of environment, relocating to Dubai. The appeal was more than just sunshine. “Life is just better here; people are happier, energy is good,” he explains, adding the comfort of being in a “Muslim country.” He finds the energy of a place where leadership and people seem aligned to be a positive influence.
Next came the crucial decision of a new trainer. He sought out Andy Lee, the former middleweight champion now renowned for guiding fighters like Joseph Parker and Tyson Fury back to prominence. Sheeraz saw a stylistic fit and, after visiting Lee`s gym in Dublin, found the personal connection was equally strong. Lee was “even better as a person, a nice guy, a great guy, and someone who I can see myself being with until the end of my boxing career.” High praise and a clear long-term vision.
Finally, the move to super-middleweight adds another layer to this career reboot. It`s a fresh start in a competitive division. And waiting for him is Edgar Berlanga, a fighter with power and a name. This isn`t a gentle re-introduction; it`s “straight into the deep end.”
The Berlanga fight is seen as a logical next step to regain momentum. “A good, well-respected name to get straight back in the mix with,” Sheeraz notes. Beating someone of Berlanga`s calibre in his first fight in the division would “put me right back up there again.”
Headlining in New York is a significant platform, underscoring the continued faith placed in him by figures like Turki Alalshikh. Sheeraz understands the opportunity and is keeping a tight focus.
“July 12th – it’s straight back in the mix, that’s the first stop,” he emphasizes, determined not to look past the immediate challenge. “As of right now, it’s about getting back on track, getting back on it – and just being present in the super-middleweight division.”
Having navigated a difficult chapter, learned hard lessons, and made significant changes, Hamzah Sheeraz offers a simple message born from experience: “always remember your end goal. Ups and downs are going to happen in life. Be willing to make change, be brave in making change, because it’s not easy, and just own who you are.” It`s the philosophy of a fighter who stumbled, took responsibility, and is now ready to face the future, and Edgar Berlanga, head-on.
Tristan Blackwood