Two Rounds. World Champion. Move On.
Right then — Hamzah Sheeraz is a world champion. The Ilford man stopped Alem Begic 2:33 into the second round on the Glory In Giza undercard, lifted the vacant WBO super middleweight title at the first time of asking up at 168, and turned the after-fight microphone into a 90-second Canelo Alvarez interview request. Job done. Brilliant. Make no mistake — this was levels.
The Finish — Clean As You Like
Round one was a feeling-out exercise, but you could see it building. Sheeraz doubled up the jab, then started landing the lead right hook to the body that he showed against Carlos Adames. Begic's feet stopped moving by the second minute. The killer shot was a crisp short left hand to the lower ribs — Begic took the knee, took the count, and couldn't beat it. 2:33 of round two. First KO since the Adames demolition and the cleanest one of Sheeraz's career.
He Looks Like A 168lb Man — Properly
Let's not beat around the bush. The move up from 160 to 168 has agreed with him. He carries the weight. The shoulders look fuller, the jab looks heavier, and the feet still move the way they did at middle. The body shot that finished Begic wasn't a Hail Mary — it was a setup punch landed with a champion's confidence. If you know, you know. Sheeraz at super middleweight is a proper problem for everyone in the division.
Canelo September — The Phone Has To Ring
Canelo Alvarez's team have a kickoff presser in Cairo to finalise a date with Mbilli, but the Sheeraz audition is over and you can't ignore it. A 24-fight unbeaten run, a new WBO strap, a UK star, a young man who sells out arenas — this is the fight the public wants and the fight the broadcasters will pay for. Benavidez sits there too with his own WBC mandatory case, but the Sheeraz win has rearranged the queue. September in Vegas or Riyadh, vacant WBO defence vs Canelo. Make it.
Boxing Lookout Prediction Watch
We said Sheeraz by middle rounds stoppage. He went and did it inside two. Even better. Hamzah Sheeraz is a world champion at 168 and he's coming for the unification — and right now you'd be brave to bet against him.