Warren says Sheeraz was carefully guided toward the vacant title as the reshaped 168-pound division moves toward unification fights
Hamzah Sheeraz may already be heading toward major unification fights after capturing the WBO super middleweight title on Saturday night. Promoter Frank Warren made it clear afterward that Queensberry expects much bigger fights ahead for the unbeaten British star at 168 pounds.
Sheeraz captured the vacant WBO super middleweight title on Saturday with an easy win over Alem Begic, completing a fast rise through a second weight class. Speaking afterward, promoter Frank Warren made it clear that Queensberry sees bigger fights ahead for the unbeaten British fighter.
“There is a lot of work been put into him [Sheeraz], and I have got to tell you, we worked very hard to make that match for the world title, very hard,” said Warren to iFL TV, following Hamzah’s stoppage win over Begic to capture the vacant WBO belt. “There was a lot of lobbying, and that was about the best option you could get to win a world title. That is called great matchmaking and really guiding someone’s career correctly.
“Congratulations to him, he has done extremely well, and we will be looking to see what the next big fight is going to be.”
The 168-pound division has changed quickly since Canelo Alvarez lost the undisputed championship to Terence Crawford last September. Crawford’s retirement broke up the titles and left four new champions holding pieces of the division.
Jaime Munguia picked up the WBA title after beating Armando Resendiz. Osleys Iglesias claimed the IBF belt by stopping Pavel Silyagin. Mbilli was elevated to full WBC champion ahead of his September fight against Canelo.
Sheeraz now joins that group after taking the WBO belt, and Warren’s comments sounded like a signal that unification fights are already being targeted behind the scenes.
