Livescore
Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Date: Saturday, 22 February
BBC Coverage: Follow radio coverage on BBC Sport website and app from 16:30 GMT, before switching to BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport website at 19:30
With Tyson Fury – if he is to be believed – having retired and Anthony Joshua also nearing the end, British boxing is calling for a marketable fighter who can charm the public outside of the ring and deliver emphatic knockouts inside it.
Someone who can keep the sport on newspaper back pages and rub shoulders with Hollywood big hitters and the latest pop sensation on television chat shows.
Ilford-born Hamzah Sheeraz may be that boxer.
The undefeated middleweight – who boasts 17 knockouts in 21 wins – challenges Carlos Adames for the WBC world title in Riyadh on Saturday.
To complement his fighting record, the charismatic Sheeraz talks a great game.
“The plan is to become world champion at middleweight, super-middleweight and light-heavyweight,” the 25-year-old tells BBC Sport.
With Joshua having appeared on the Graham Norton show at the peak of his powers and Fury’s own ITV and Netflix documentaries, Sheeraz hopes his career could lead to the same level of fame and status.
“Being someone who can go on chat shows and portray my story is what I’d like to do one day,” he adds.
“Not just to represent boxing but showing anyone that you don’t need to be an Olympian or top-notch amateur in any sport to not make it as a pro.
“That if you take a risk and put the work in, not just sport but in life, eventually you will prosper.”
Paying back family debt & Warren loyalty
If he beats Dominican Adames, Sheeraz will join greats Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran in holding the prestigious green and gold WBC middleweight belt.
He predicts this will be the first of many title wins, while there are also, rather premature, suggestions from Saudi organisers of a showdown with Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez next year.
But Sheeraz’s career has not always been full of such promise.
“From what I’ve come from, to where I am today is literally zero to hundred,” he says. “I had no amateur pedigree and financial head start.”
The Londoner has dealt with doubters throughout his career, most notably after a controversial win over Bradley Skeete in 2021.
There have been two constant firm believers in Sheeraz’s potential, though.
To fund his early pro career, his family fell into £800,000 worth of debt and the fighter has made it his mission to repay them.
“It would mean everything and more to my family for me to win the world title,” he adds. “They have always understood the assignment, the ups and downs.”
Queensberry boss Frank Warren – drawing on his 45 years’ promoting experience – has wisely managed Sheeraz’s career. Step-up fights have come at perfect points and his profile has been gradually built, allowing the fighter time to learn the ropes of pro boxing.
“That loyalty will always stay with me,” says Sheeraz.
Representing South Asians & humanity as a whole
Sheeraz’s ascent to title contention is testament to his dedication. He left home comforts four years ago and relocated to Los Angeles to join experienced trainer Ricky Funez.
“I got myself out to America and the harshest environment I could have done at the time,” he says.
“Even though mentally and physically I wasn’t ready but I knew that if I kept showing up and doing what I do then eventually it would pay off.”
After Sheeraz’s knockout win over fellow Briton Tyler Denny in September, the song ‘Dil Dil [which translates to ‘heart, heart’] Pakistan’ blared out to fans at Wembley Stadium.
Representing the South Asian community is a driving force behind his quest for glory.
“Especially now with the crime and unemployment rates being probably the highest that have ever been among our community,” he adds.
“I want to try to be a positive light and role model for youngsters. Not just the British South Asians, though, but humanity as a whole. I want to be someone who represents everyone.”
‘Let’s see what Sheeraz is all about on world stage’
Such is his ambition, winning one world title would still not satisfy Sheeraz.
At 6ft 2in, he certainly has the physical attributes, and a refreshingly measured mindset, to dominate the sport.
“Life and boxing has taught me you need to learn to become more balanced and not get emotionally involved in anything,” he says.
“Whether that is financial or when fighting. Keep a clear head on your shoulders and you will be able to think clearly in whatever you do.”
It is difficult not to get too drawn in when Sheeraz speaks so boldly and confidently on his grand plans, but the script could be torn to pieces before the first chapter if Adames has his way.
The 30-year-old champion has won 24 of his 25 pro fights, with 18 stoppages. Asked if there is anything which scares him about his opponent, Sheeraz unashamedly admits “everything”.
“He’s a world champion for a reason,” he adds. “He can punch hard, he’s fast and strong. So let’s see what Hamzah Sheeraz is all about on the world stage.”
More boxing from the BBC
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