Hamzah Sheeraz achieved a resounding victory over Edgar Berlanga on Saturday night.
British star Hamzah Sheeraz has his sights set on a possible fight against Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez after his impressive technical knockout victory over Edgar Berlanga.
Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) knocked down Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) twice in the fourth round before culminating the professional and clinical performance with a TKO at the beginning of the fifth round at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Although Berlanga had success in the early rounds, Sheeraz kept his composure and shifted gears, telling his new trainer, Andy Lee, after the second round that he felt he could “hunt” his opponent.
He did so, announcing himself in the United States and on the world stage. The fight was Sheeraz’s first at super middleweight and he felt at home at 168 pounds.
Talk of a possible fight against Álvarez came up even before the fight, and Sheeraz promised that he would face and exchange blows with the Mexican, whom he described as his boxing hero, if given the opportunity.
It would be an honor to share the ring with him, it really would be, someone I have admired and, suddenly, you’re in the ring with him.Hamzah Sheeraz now has his sights set on Canelo Álvarez.
One thing I can guarantee is that if I ever share the ring with Canelo, it won’t be the case of what happened in his last fight, where his opponent [William Scull] was trying to run. I promise you guys, it’s on camera… Even if they knock me out, I’ll stay there and trade blows with him.
Hamzah Sheeraz
Promoter Frank Warren hailed Sheeraz as the sport’s new superstar and said they would watch the Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight in September with anticipation.
Sheeraz’s new trainer, Lee, also received a lot of praise for his work. The pair spent only eight weeks together before facing Berlanga, but their relationship paid off immediately in the Big Apple.
It was the perfect response after a frustrating performance against Carlos Adames in February, when Sheeraz fought to a draw amid weight issues and a broken hand.
I am very proud of him and we have only scratched the surface of what he can do. We didn’t start in the best way, but I knew he would grow in the fight. I have never met such a strong-minded and strong-willed young man. There is a new star in world boxing and his name is Hamzah Sheeraz.
