JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Hamzah Sheeraz successfully defended his WBO super middleweight championship on Saturday night, but the unbeaten Brit left the ring knowing his performance wasn’t the statement he hoped to make.
Sheeraz earned a majority decision victory over Germany’s Simon Zachenhuber, retaining his title with scorecards of 115-113, 116-112, and 114-114. While the win preserved his undefeated record, the champion admitted afterward that bigger challenges now await and one name remains firmly on his radar.
Following the victory, Sheeraz revealed he’ll be paying close attention when Saul “Canelo” Alvarez challenges Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight championship on Oct. 31.
The British champion made it clear he’s ready to pursue any of the division’s elite titleholders.
“I am a champion in the division,” Sheeraz said after the fight. “I’m sure people are champing at the bit after my performance.”
Although Sheeraz acknowledged he didn’t deliver his best showing, he remains confident bigger fights are on the horizon.
“I got the win, that’s all that matters. I could make a million excuses. I’ll be better in the next fight.”
Rather than focusing solely on Canelo, Sheeraz opened the door to fights against any of the division’s champions, as well as fellow contender Jacob Bank.
The unbeaten champion believes his biggest issue Saturday wasn’t his opponent—it was staying mentally engaged.
“I need a step up now, someone who will mentally present a challenge,” Sheeraz explained. “I was switching off at times. I was too comfortable when I didn’t have a threat in front of me.”
Opportunity Missed
Although Sheeraz consistently won rounds, he never fully shifted into another gear. Instead of pressing for a stoppage, the champion boxed comfortably behind his jab while controlling the distance, allowing Zachenhuber to hear the final bell.
Trainer Andy Lee repeatedly encouraged his fighter to increase his punch output.
“Just let it come,” Lee urged between rounds.
After the eighth, Sheeraz responded by saying he was simply “soaking it all up,” but he never unleashed the sustained combinations many expected.
Scorecards Raise Eyebrows
While two judges comfortably favored Sheeraz, one official surprisingly scored the fight even at 114-114, producing a majority decision instead of the unanimous verdict many anticipated.
The draw scorecard visibly surprised the champion as it was announced. Even so, there was little doubt that Sheeraz controlled the majority of the action throughout the 12-round contest.
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