European Super Welterweight Champion Hamzah Sheeraz, Boxing Prospect of Month Dec. 2021
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
World Boxing Organisation European Super Welterweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz in the Real Combat Media Boxing Prospect of the Month for December 2021. Sheeraz, 14-0 with 10 knockouts, Ilford, London, United Kingdom, has now stopped eight opponents in a row on technical skill.
In the preliminary to the Anthony Yarde versus Lyndon Arthur Commonwealth British Empire light heavyweight main event at Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, on Saturday, December 4, 2021, Sheeraz dropped Bradley Skeete three times for a referee’s stoppage at 0:58 of round nine to retain his WBO Super Welterweight title. Former British BBBofC Welterweight and WBO European champion Skeete had been stopped in the second round twice in his last five bouts, and his career most likely hit the end of the road, but it was still a solid win for rising prospect Sheeraz over veteran Skeete.
Sheeraz’ victory over Skeete will be reviewed by the British Boxing Board of Control because Sheeraz hit Skeete on the canvas after knocking him down, whether by accident or design. Skeete complained about it but got up, though, and there was no warning or point deduction given to Sheeraz, nor did Skeete get any kind of a rest period. As with any bout, there are always points of controversy. Skeete was ahead on the scorecards, but with a 10-7 round in round eight, and a 10-8 round in round nine, suddenly lost five points, probably affecting referee Steve Gray’s decision to stop the bout at that point though Skeete got up.
No question about the fact Sheeraz is a hot prospect with both technical skill and power shot punching power who knows how to close the show. At age 22, Sheeraz is well on his way to a world title shot or bouts with top ten contenders in the red hot 154 pounds super welterweight and junior lightweight division. Given 18-0 George Kambozos conquest last week of Teofimo Lopez and the lightweight division en route to winning the world title at 135 pounds on the road, Sheeraz is well on his way. Given, the Jermell Charlo and Brian Carlos Castano titular unification matchup is pending in 2022, the best eliminator bout on the board is Sheeraz versus Australia’s 20-0 Tim Tszyu. Neither Sseeraz nor Tszyu have been seen outside of their home countries, and quarantine regulations create obstacles for the visiting fighters travel and training regimen, but perhaps promoter Eddie Hearn can find a way to put a Sheeraz versus Tszyu super fight together if Sheeraz can win a few more fights. Sheeraz is certainly well on his way to the top at age 22, but needs to be tested against some 12 round main event fighters next. Sheeraz has already gone into the ninth round and tenth round to record stoppage wins in two of his last three bouts.
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