Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz claimed his first world title with a impressive second-round knockout victory against Alem Begic to claim the empty WBO super-middleweight title in Egypt. The 26-year-old Londoner asserted his dominance from the opening bell, dismantling the overmatched German challenger with sharp straight jabs and uppercuts before a left hook to the body sent Begic to the canvas. The 39-year-old failed to beat the count as the official stopped the contest. Sheeraz now possesses the title vacated by American champion Terence Crawford who retired and has moved significantly closer to a potential dream match with Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who was ringside for the victory.
A emphatic win in Cairo
Sheeraz announced himself on the world stage with a dominant display on the supporting card of Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight championship defence against Rico Verhoeven, with the famous pyramids of Giza providing a striking backdrop to his arrival. From the start, the gulf in class between the two fighters was immediately obvious. The Londoner dominated the centre behind a crisp jab—his primary weapon throughout the bout—whilst mixing in heavy hooks to the midsection that visibly bothered his opponent. His trainer Andy Lee, observing from the corner, remarked approvingly after the opening round: “Great starting round.”
Begic, who arrived with a tally of 29 wins and one draw, proved largely unknown to the wider boxing public and completely ill-equipped for Sheeraz’s technical superiority. 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 modest opposition presented, Sheeraz has steadily progressed into one of the British boxing scene’s most improved operators. His performance at super-middleweight suggested he has found his natural weight class after falling short in a previous world title attempt at middleweight.
- Sheeraz has secured 19 of his 24 pro bouts by knockout
- He has completed the distance just once in his previous 18 fights
- Coming off a career-best stoppage victory against Edgar Berlanga last summer
- Now seeking unification fights at super-middleweight following his capture of vacant WBO title
The journey to Canelo plus beyond
With the WBO super-middleweight crown now secured, Sheeraz’s urgent priority shifts to the compelling opportunity of fighting Canelo Alvarez, the Mexican superstar who watched proceedings intently 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 celebrated Mexican boxer win the fight, a unification showdown with Sheeraz could represent the biggest opportunity of the Londoner’s career—a opportunity to measure himself against one of boxing’s most accomplished fighters.
Sheeraz was full of praise for Alvarez after his triumph, recognising the magnitude of such a potential encounter. “There is boxing royalty ringside and I want to follow in their footsteps,” he declared. “I believe he is one of the ‘goats’ of boxing, to share the ring with him would be an honour. If I got the chance I would get the win for sure.” The 26-year-old’s confidence is underpinned by his current performance and newfound comfort at super-middleweight, suggesting he possesses the ability to perform at the sport’s elite level.
Unification ambitions looming ahead
Beyond Alvarez, Sheeraz’s future plans involves consolidating his position as super-middleweight title holder and chasing unification fights against the champions of the other major world titles. His dominant display against Begic has announced him as a genuine challenger in a weight class populated by elite competitors. The move up from middleweight, where he came up short in a previous world title attempt, to super-middleweight appears to have unlocked his true potential as a fighter.
Matchroom’s backing of Sheeraz’s career reflects their conviction about his potential to establish himself as a authentic British boxing superstar. His knockout strength—shown through 19 knockout wins in 24 professional bouts—combined with technical skill and fight intelligence, offers a convincing pathway to success. If he faces Alvarez or seeking additional unification opportunities, Sheeraz has proven himself to be one of British professional boxing’s most talented talents with authentic elite-level standing.
Catterall’s path to redemption progresses
Jack Catterall’s quest for undisputed welterweight supremacy took a further notable stride forward on the undercard in Cairo, where the 32-year-old Englishman earned a commanding points victory over previously unbeaten Shakhram Giyasov. The dominant display earned Catterall the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title, positioning him significantly closer to a undisputed world title shot in a division packed with elite talent. His performance underscored his status as one of British boxing’s most resilient operators, having navigated considerable adversity to reach this juncture in his career.
Catterall’s progression has been marked by victory and defeat, yet his consistent drive has seen him rise as a legitimate championship challenger. The welterweight division stands as one of the sport’s most fiercely contested divisions, inhabited by elite fighters alike. Catterall’s current triumph serves as validation of his skilled technique and in-ring intelligence, qualities that have characterised his professional revival and marked him as a serious threat to the division’s established hierarchy.
- Catterall defeated unbeaten Shakhram Giyasov via dominant points decision
- Claimed the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title in dominant fashion
- Moved considerably closer to unified welterweight championship opportunity
From controversy to title contention
Catterall’s path to this moment has been anything but a straight path, defined by disputed calls and obstacles that tested his resolve. However, his recent performances have revealed a fighter competing at peak condition, merging technical skill with the physical attributes necessary to compete at welterweight’s highest level. His triumph over Giyasov was a showcase of measured intensity and strategic ring management.
The Englishman’s journey to undisputed status now appears increasingly achievable, particularly given the competitive landscape at 147 pounds. With the WBA ‘regular’ title claimed, Catterall possesses the standing needed to challenge for the sport’s premier welterweight crowns. His redemption arc, shaped by adversity and perseverance, continues its upward trajectory with genuine championship glory within grasp.
British boxing’s revival on the global stage
Sheeraz’s success in Egypt represents a major achievement for British boxing, showcasing the calibre of domestic fighters competing at the sport’s highest level. The Londoner’s commanding performance against Begic, alongside Catterall’s commanding performance on the same card, underscores a greater emergence of British fighters establishing themselves as genuine world-title contenders. Both men have displayed the technical proficiency and mental resilience necessary to excel in an intensely competitive world stage, with their wins serving as a indicator of the calibre of the modern British boxing scene.
The scene of the Egyptian showcase, featuring the renowned pyramids of Giza, provided a appropriate platform for Britain’s boxing ambassadors to make their mark on the global boxing stage. Sheeraz’s rise to a world title holder, combined with Catterall’s advance toward undisputed status, suggests a promising era for British boxing. These successes reflect considerable focused development and tactical planning, positioning both competitors as legitimate contenders able to compete against boxing’s top fighters and potentially delivering upcoming high-profile home clashes.