Hamzah Sheeraz: A Star is Born

By Cormac O Donell

Hamzah Sheeraz kicked open the doors of the Middleweight division and announced his arrival in style last night.

Hailing from Ilford, London – Sheeraz provided the 3rd defense of his WBC Silver Middleweight against Liam Williams – a few Tube rides way – in the Copperbox Arena, London.

Hamzah is no stranger to big nights in boxing, having performed in Wembley Stadium and Wroclaw Stadium. However, last night has put him on the radar of the elite.

Liam Williams, a game and well-decorated champion himself, was set to be a measuring stick for Hamzah – a proving force to show exactly what the 24-year-old is made of.

It didn’t take long to find out. Sheeraz stung Williams in the 25^th second, sending the challenger to the canvas. He kept his foot on the gas, dropping Williams again by 01:00. Following a few more jabs, Liam William’s team threw in the towel at 01:35, with Sheeraz winning by TKO.

This was a stunning performance from Hamzah. Don’t let his frame fool you. In some ways he is reminiscent of Deontay Wilder; a long and rangy fighter with a touch of death. Unlike Wilder – and perhaps anyone else; Hamzah is knocking fighters out with his mere jab alone.

Shout out to Liam Williams; a terrific champion with a wonderful collection of belts, from European, British to Commonwealth titles. He came to fight. Unfortunately for him, it was against Hamzah Sheeraz; who based on this performance, is going to give anyone at Middleweight major problems.

Looking ahead, Hamzah wants all the smoke, commenting in the ring afterwards: “Anyone (One Hundred) Sixty Pounder – put them in front of me and I’ll beat them; it’s as simple as that.”“I think it goes to show where I am and what I deserve in this sport. I think a World Title is around the corner… Then I’m gonna take over the division”

His promoter, Frank Warren of Queensbury Promotions succinctly described where his fighter is at, commenting that: “I genuinely believe tonight; a star is born.”

“I genuinely believe he will win a World Title and he will hold that title for as long as he likes.”

“He’s a young man and he’s done every single thing that was asked of him. You couldn’t meet a better ambassador in boxing than this man here.”

“He’s an absolute star.”

Where does Hamzah Sheeraz go from here? A Chris Eubank Jr. or Nathan Heaney fight in Britain would be huge. With Queensbury making big fights in Saudi Arabia, we might even see him fight for a world title there before the year is out.

Whatever the case – after last night, you can’t help but feel that the sky is the limit for Hamzah. Watch this space.