Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz secured his first world title with a devastating second-round stoppage win over Alem Begic to capture the empty WBO super-middleweight title in Egypt. The 26-year-old Londoner imposed himself from the opening bell, breaking down the overmatched German challenger with crisp straight punches and uppercuts before a body left hook sent Begic to the canvas. The 39-year-old couldn’t beat the count as the referee waved off the contest. Sheeraz now holds the belt vacated by retired American Terence Crawford and has moved significantly closer to a possible dream fight with Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who was ringside for the victory.
A commanding win in Cairo
Sheeraz made his mark on the global platform with a dominant display on the supporting card of Oleksandr Usyk’s world heavyweight title defence against Rico Verhoeven, with the famous pyramids of Giza serving as a dramatic backdrop to his coronation. From the start, the gap in quality between the two fighters was abundantly clear. The Londoner dominated the centre behind a crisp jab—his main tool throughout the contest—whilst mixing in heavy hooks to the body that visibly affected his opponent. His trainer Andy Lee, observing from the corner, remarked approvingly after the opening round: “Great starting round.”
Begic, who came with a tally of 29 wins and one draw, proved largely unknown to the wider boxing public and wholly unprepared for Sheeraz’s technical prowess. The referee took a close look after a powerful right hook halfway through the second round before Begic was sent crashing to the canvas moments later, clearly grimacing in pain. Despite the limited opposition presented, Sheeraz has gradually advanced into one of British boxing’s leading operators. His performance at super-middleweight suggested he has discovered his ideal weight division after coming up short in a previous world title attempt at middleweight.
- Sheeraz has won 19 of his 24 professional fights via stoppage
- He has lasted the full distance just once in his last 18 bouts
- Following a impressive knockout victory against Edgar Berlanga in summer
- Now seeking unification fights at super-middleweight after claiming vacant WBO title
The journey to Canelo plus beyond
With the WBO super-middleweight crown now obtained, Sheeraz’s primary attention turns towards the compelling opportunity of taking on Canelo Alvarez, the Mexican superstar who observed the action closely from ringside in Cairo. Alvarez is set to compete to the ring on 12 September in Riyadh, where he will defend his WBC super-middleweight title against Christian Mbilli. Should the renowned Mexican fighter claim victory, a unification showdown with Sheeraz could represent the greatest chance of the Londoner’s career—a opportunity to measure himself against one of boxing’s most accomplished fighters.
Sheeraz was effusive in his admiration for Alvarez after his victory, recognising the scale of such a potential encounter. “There is boxing royalty ringside and I want to emulate them,” he declared. “I think he is one of the ‘goats’ of boxing, to share the ring with him would be an honour. If I got the opportunity I would get the win for sure.” The 26-year-old’s self-belief is grounded in his current performance and newfound comfort at super-middleweight, suggesting he possesses the ability to compete at the sport’s elite level.
Unification aspirations in sight
Beyond Alvarez, Sheeraz’s long-term strategy involves consolidating his position as super-middleweight title holder and chasing unification fights against the holders of the remaining major world championships. His commanding performance against Begic has announced him as a genuine challenger in a weight class filled with elite competitors. The move up from middleweight, where he fell short in a earlier world championship bid, to super-middleweight appears to have unlocked his true potential as a fighter.
Matchroom’s commitment to Sheeraz’s professional journey reflects their conviction about his potential to emerge as a authentic British boxing superstar. His devastating knockout ability—evidenced by 19 stoppages in 24 professional fights—paired with technical proficiency and fight intelligence, presents a powerful pathway to success. If he faces Alvarez or chasing additional unification opportunities, Sheeraz has established himself as one of British professional boxing’s most talented talents with authentic top-tier credentials.
Catterall’s path to redemption progresses
Jack Catterall’s pursuit of unified welterweight supremacy took another significant stride forward on the undercard in Cairo, where the 32-year-old Englishman secured a dominant points victory over previously unbeaten Shakhram Giyasov. The impressive showing won Catterall the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title, bringing him substantially closer to a full world title shot in a division filled with elite talent. His showing reinforced his status as one of the UK’s most tenacious boxing operators, having weathered substantial obstacles to reach this juncture in his career.
Catterall’s trajectory has been marked by victory and defeat, yet his consistent drive has seen him rise as a legitimate championship challenger. The welterweight category continues to be one of boxing’s most competitive arenas, inhabited by dominant titleholders and contenders alike. Catterall’s current triumph serves as confirmation of his technical prowess and ring craft, attributes that have characterised his professional revival and marked him as a genuine danger to the welterweight pecking order.
- Catterall defeated unbeaten Shakhram Giyasov via dominant points decision
- Claimed the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title in commanding fashion
- Moved significantly closer to unified welterweight championship opportunity
From scandal to title contention
Catterall’s path to this moment has been anything but straightforward, characterized by controversial decisions and challenges that tested his resolve. However, his latest displays have demonstrated a fighter performing at optimal condition, combining technical excellence with the physical capabilities required to compete at welterweight’s elite level. His triumph over Giyasov was a showcase of disciplined aggression and strategic fight management.
The Englishman’s journey to undisputed status now appears progressively realistic, particularly given the competitive landscape at 147 pounds. With the WBA ‘regular’ title claimed, Catterall possesses the standing needed to compete for the sport’s top welterweight titles. His redemption arc, built on adversity and perseverance, continues its positive momentum with real championship achievement within grasp.
British boxing’s comeback on the international stage
Sheeraz’s triumph in Egypt marks a major achievement for British boxing, showcasing the calibre of domestic fighters competing at the pinnacle of the sport. The Londoner’s dominant display against Begic, combined with Catterall’s dominant display on the same card, emphasises a broader resurgence of British fighters positioning themselves as legitimate title challengers. Both men have demonstrated the technical proficiency and mental resilience required to succeed in an highly competitive world stage, with their wins acting as a testament to the standard of today’s British boxers.
The scene of the Egyptian showcase, showcasing the renowned pyramids of Giza, provided a appropriate arena for Britain’s boxing ambassadors to make their mark on the global boxing stage. Sheeraz’s rise to a world champion, alongside Catterall’s progression towards undisputed status, signals a golden period for British boxing. These successes showcase years of focused development and tactical planning, establishing both boxers as legitimate contenders capable of competing against boxing’s top fighters and potentially delivering future blockbuster British showdowns.