HAMZAH SHEERAZ REINVENTS HIMSELF
with Alalshikh, who tells him, “You have to show me something.” “So I did,” Sheeraz adds, matter-of- factly. In a remarkable turn of events, Quigley – now Sheeraz’s cornerman – faced Berlanga in New York himself, two years earlier. It was a defiant performance from Quigley, who was dropped several times by Berlanga but, in pure Donegal stubbornness, wouldn’t lay down. The situation is pure coincidence. Quigley just happens to work with Lee, who just happens to be training Sheeraz. It would almost have been rude not to play a cheeky mind game on Berlanga before the fight. “I was there to be in the corner, but also to be in the changing room with Berlanga to check that the handwraps and the gloves were being done right,” recalled Quigley. “There was a lot of controversy about that! I think Berlanga and them got a shock when they saw me walking in to check everything. We had a brief interaction – respectful enough, so it was.” Come fight night, Ilford’s finest is decked out in Emerald Green for Pakistan – and perhaps a nod to his stay in Ireland and the names in his corner: Lee, O’Neill and Quigley. There’s an old-school feel to the night, punctuated by Jim Lampley commentating for the second time that summer. He exclaims, “Hamzah Sheeraz has long arms and big feet!” Terrific television. Sheeraz stays in the middle of the ring, standing his ground. The stubborn Irish approach has rubbed off on him. He towers over Berlanga and doesn’t retreat. Lessons learned in Ballybrack. Both men are planting their feet in Round 2, literally going toe to toe. Hamzah’s not moving from the center of the ring. This isn’t a feeling-out round; Sheeraz is feeling himself. In the corner, Lee tells him, “That’s the best he’s gonna get. That’s the best he can do.” Berlanga, known for a bully approach, doesn’t look remotely
thing – and Joe Calzaghe did the job. “I’m a big believer in timing and getting it right. Depending on how Canelo and Crawford look in September and if we get it right, I think Hamzah can go and emulate what those guys did.” Dubai, September 2025: Hamzah looks set to face the winner of Canelo vs. Crawford but is somewhat surprised that the Omaha native won. “It didn’t go as I expected,” said Sheeraz. “I thought Canelo would go in and iron him out. “Crawford showed his levels. He showed what he does best and how exactly he does it. It was an honor to sit there ringside and watch both of them go at it, knowing that I could potentially fight the winner. “I think if Crawford stays at 168, I’m the only fight that makes sense for him. “Two arms, two legs – that’s the way I’d approach it. I’d be very relaxed and in the zone, all about business. Now that I’ve been at that big, big level twice, I’ve got the experience. “If he decides to vacate, I’m straight in line to fight for the WBC [super middleweight] title, which I believe would be against Christian Mbilli. “I just gotta sit back, be patient and see what happens.” For Sheeraz, the chaos of the past year has crystallized into maturity. In February, the draw with Adames felt like a fall from orbit, but in truth it was the gravitational pull that forced him to rebuild stronger foundations. Ireland gave him grounding, New York gave him redemption, and a future fight in Riyadh against generational great Terence Crawford offers him the chance to fully realize his potential. Sheeraz’s 2025 was about choosing faith over fear. Whether it’s Crawford or Mbilli next, Hamzah Sheeraz knows the path is no longer about reaching the stars in a rocket ship, but about walking steadily toward greatness with both feet on the ground. The reinvention is complete. The next chapter is ready to be written.
Berlanga, the big hitter, was hit back and could not recover.
intimidating against Sheeraz. If anything, Hamzah seems to be growing taller in stature as the fight continues. By Round 4, Sheeraz is splitting the guard of Berlanga and attacking his body in the same combination. Both fighters continue to press each other in close quarters. A flurry of hooks drops Berlanga. Sheeraz smells blood and drops him again – saved by the bell. Sheeraz opens the fifth round with another clatter of hooks, and it’s Goodnight Vienna. The referee waves it off as Hamzah jumps for joy, following it up with a prayer. Lee climbs over the ropes and lifts Hamzah like a toddler,
that fight – you’d be in a pickle. Most fighters take easier fights when moving up in weight – I went straight in with a dangerous opponent. “It did a lot to skyrocket me back to the top.” Riyadh, August 2025: Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions (Hamzah’s promoter) is in a Riyadh hotel room, reflecting on the fairy-tale of New York. We’re discussing the upcoming Canelo Alverez vs. Terence Crawford fight and matching Sheeraz up with the victor. Both are Ring Magazine pound-for-pound top
10. Challenging either is a step up for Hamzah – and he may well be the underdog. Not for Frank. “The best is still to come. He’s got a good boxing brain, punch, and I feel he can do the business. “Ricky Hatton fought Kostya Tszyu when he was pound-for-pound number one, and he went into that fight with not one person, not one journalist fancying him. Ricky did the job. “When we put Joe Calzaghe in with Jeff Lacy, [Lacy was also a world titleholder] and the darling of the American network Showtime. Everybody thought he was the next big
carrying him with ease. The team is elated. The critics are silenced. Wrongs have been righted. This is pure cinema unfolding in real time. The King of New York has arrived. Hamzah recalls that night: “It wasn’t relief – it was achievement. I was back on track. All that shit-talking from the last few months was over. Everyone was back on the bandwagon again. “It means a lot. God forbid I lost
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