Hamzah Sheeraz’s second-round TKO of Tyler Denny Saturday clinches his place because the “nightmare” and “massive big” of the middleweight division, a gathering of fighters that has lacked star energy since Gennadiy Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez moved on.
Nicely, that massive big is now knocking thunderously on the doorways of 160-pound champions Janibek Alimkhanuly, Carlos Adames and Erislandy Lara, and whichever one solutions first is probably going going to be yielding his place and belt.
“While you see champions ducking and dodging, you already know what they consider Sheeraz,” ProBox TV’s Timothy Bradley Jr. mentioned on Monday’s version of “BoxingScene’s High Tales.” “He can battle on the within, the skin. He’s very artful and youthful.”
Though Kazakhstan’s Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KOs) has labored on social media to refute stories, Bradley repeated what those that’ve spoken to insiders across the scenario have mentioned: that Alimkhanuly’s camp rejected $1.5 million to battle Sheeraz, 25, on Saturday’s Daniel Dubois-Anthony Joshua card in Wembley Stadium.
He as an alternative is getting $200,000 to defend his IBF belt towards Andrei Mikhailovich in Sydney on October 4. The WBO, which has England’s Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs) as its No. 1 contender, has refused to sanction the bout as a title protection.
The 6ft 3ins Sheeraz can also be the WBC’s No. 1 contender to champion Adames.
Because the glamor middleweight division has misplaced its attract in recent times, Sheeraz has confirmed in his run of 15 consecutives knockouts/stoppages, together with his June 1 end of Ammo Williams within the “5 versus 5” event that he’s essentially the most viable successor to previous divisional greats Golovkin, Bernard Hopkins and Carlos Monzon.
“I don’t assume we’re placing an excessive amount of on him – 160 has some fairly strong contenders and it does have some troublesome champions to beat,” former welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi mentioned on “High Tales.” “Sheeraz does appear like the person who’ll be round for some time (from) the best way he’s been profitable with eye-catching energy in a weight class that’s all the time been glamorous. He’s so harmful.”
Corridor of Famer Bradley mentioned Sheeraz has the seems to be of “the complete package deal,” with one of many few lingering questions on him being how he’ll reply to taking a flush shot to the chin.
“He will probably be a nightmare when one among these guys step as much as face him,” Bradley mentioned. “If (Alimkhanuly) turns that down, it exhibits they consider the hype.”
Former 140-pound champion Chris Algieri echoed, “This child’s acquired all of it. He’s one thing particular with that measurement and energy. He’s prepared for the champions proper now.”
It’s a matter of which sanctioning physique will greatest implement Sheeraz as a compulsory opponent. The IBF has spent the 12 months pushing its mandatories, however for now, Mikhailovich is ranked increased (No. 3 to No. 4) over Sheeraz, with the highest two spots briefly vacant.
Algieri assesses that Adames is “the simplest” title bout to make.
“Nobody will battle him except he’s a compulsory,” mentioned Malignaggi.
