Hamzah Sheeraz made a decisive statement on his American debut, delivering a brutal and impressive performance to stop Edgar Berlanga in the fifth round of their highly anticipated clash.
Held at the transformed Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York – a venue more accustomed to the strategic baselines of tennis than the violent exchanges of professional boxing – the stakes were clear from the outset. The winner was set to become the mandatory challenger for the WBC Super Middleweight title, a belt currently held by the undisputed king of the division, Canelo Alvarez.
Sheeraz, entering the ring with a near-unblemished record of 22 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, with 18 victories coming by knockout, presented a stark contrast to his opponent. While Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs), fighting on home turf with significant fanfare, engaged in the theatrical pre-fight build-up, the British challenger maintained a quiet, focused demeanor, letting his presence speak volumes.
The opening rounds were a cautious affair, a feeling-out process where neither fighter seemed eager to commit to the first major error. Berlanga attempted to establish his jab against the taller Sheeraz, while the Brit looked to find his range with his potent right hand – a weapon that would prove decisive later in the contest. There were moments of awkwardness as both men jostled for position in the center of the ring, reflecting the high-stakes environment.
As the fight progressed into the third and fourth rounds, the action intensified. Berlanga found some success doubling up his jab, but Sheeraz began to land his power shots. A clean uppercut from Sheeraz cut through the guard, and his long right hand started finding its target with increasing frequency. In the fourth, Berlanga managed to score with a lead left, a brief moment of promise for the New Yorker.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the final minute of the fourth round. Sheeraz, sensing an opportunity, unleashed a devastating three-punch hook combination that sent Berlanga crashing to the canvas for the first time. Referee David Fields allowed the fight to continue, but the writing was clearly on the wall. Sheeraz, channeling the killer instinct sometimes seen in his trainer, Andy Lee, followed up with a left hand and a punishing right cross, flooring Berlanga again. Despite the clear distress, the referee again permitted the fight to continue, and it was the bell, not Berlanga`s resistance, that provided a temporary reprieve.
The brief interval between rounds offered no real recovery. Just ten seconds into the fifth round, Sheeraz went for the finish with clinical precision. Another brutal salvo of punches landed cleanly, leaving Berlanga unable to continue. Referee Fields correctly waved off the contest, confirming Sheeraz`s emphatic knockout victory.
Berlanga`s pre-fight bluster dissipated in the wake of the defeat, while Sheeraz`s understated confidence was validated by his performance. The win wasn`t merely a victory; it was a statement – a clear message delivered with concussive force to the reigning champions and the rest of the super middleweight division. Hamzah Sheeraz has arrived on the global stage and now stands as the mandatory challenger, positioning himself for a potential showdown with the division`s elite in the not-too-distant future.
Tristan Blackwood