In a performance that sent shockwaves through the super-middleweight division, British prospect Hamzah Sheeraz announced his arrival at 168 pounds with a devastating fifth-round knockout of previously undefeated Edgar Berlanga in New York.
The highly anticipated clash saw Sheeraz showcase the destructive power that has defined much of his career. After a measured start, Sheeraz found his rhythm and began landing heavy shots. The breakthrough came in the fourth round when he floored the durable Berlanga not once, but twice, with punishing blows. The New York crowd, largely there to support their hometown fighter, was stunned into silence as Sheeraz closed in for the finish.
Just seconds into the fifth round, Sheeraz landed the decisive blow that sent Berlanga crashing to the canvas for a third and final time, leaving no doubt about the outcome. The victory was particularly significant given that Berlanga had managed to go the distance with undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez just last year, a feat Sheeraz surpassed with his emphatic stoppage.
Following the spectacular win, Sheeraz’s promoter, Frank Warren, was unequivocal in his praise. Speaking after the fight, Warren didn`t mince words, drawing a remarkable comparison to one of boxing`s all-time great punchers. “He reminds me of a British Tommy Hearns!” Warren declared, referencing the legendary `Hitman` known for his fearsome knockout power across multiple weight classes. While such comparisons to Hall of Fame legends are often met with a raised eyebrow, Sheeraz`s highlight-reel stoppage in the lion`s den certainly provided a compelling case, particularly considering his impressive 17 knockouts in 22 professional bouts.
The move up to the super-middleweight division (168 lbs) appeared to suit Sheeraz. His previous outing at middleweight (160 lbs) against Carlos Adames had resulted in a disputed draw, with some observers suggesting he looked drained at the lower weight. Warren himself alluded to this, stating Sheeraz “was just dead at the weight” in his last fight. This performance against Berlanga suggests 168 lbs might be the optimal territory for the rangy 6ft 3ins fighter.
Crucially, the victory over Berlanga secured Sheeraz the coveted position of mandatory challenger for the WBC super-middleweight title, currently held by Canelo Alvarez. This means Sheeraz is now in pole position for a shot at undisputed glory. The possibility of this mega-fight gained further traction when boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh publicly stated that Sheeraz “deserves” to face Canelo, potentially eyeing a showdown in 2026, assuming Canelo navigates his own upcoming challenges.
When pressed on whether he believes Sheeraz is genuinely ready to step into the ring with a modern icon like Canelo Alvarez, Warren`s confidence was absolute. “Yeah,” he stated firmly, “He’s had good grounding. He’s been in a world title fight, he’s fought a guy who’s a massive knockout artist, and he came to his own backyard.” Warren highlighted Sheeraz`s composure and effectiveness despite being viewed as an underdog by many heading into the fight. “A lot of people thought he was an underdog, but he came in and did what he had to do. It was devastating.”
With the mandatory position secured and his power demonstrably effective at the higher weight, Hamzah Sheeraz has transformed from a promising prospect into a legitimate threat on the world stage. The path ahead seems clear: a collision course with the undisputed king, Canelo Alvarez. If Sheeraz can carry the devastating power seen against Berlanga into a fight against the division`s best, that audacious comparison to Thomas Hearns might just start to look less like promoter hype and more like a stark warning for the rest of the super-middleweight elite.
Tristan Blackwood