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Do all roads lead to Canelo and Munguia for Sheeraz in Giza?
When Hamzah Sheeraz brutally knocked out Edgar Berlanga last July, he did something even Canelo Alvarez couldn’t — stop the gritty New Yorker in his tracks.
The British boxer now clashes with Alem Begic for the vacant WBO super middleweight title Saturday, live on DAZN PPV, and he has an opportunity to not only exit the pyramids of Giza, Egypt as a world champion, but get one step closer to Canelo — even if it means going through Jaime Munguia first.
DAZN FACE OFF: Usyk vs. Verhoeven
Watch dramatic clash here
Upon Terence Crawford’s retirement after becoming the undisputed super middleweight world champion with a unanimous decision over Alvarez, the 168-pound division is quickly taking shape.
Just earlier this month, Munguia outpointed Armando Resendiz to become the WBA titleholder. On September 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Alvarez challenges for Christian Mbilli’s WBC championship.
Sandwiched in between is the undefeated Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) taking on the unbeaten German fighter Begic (29-0-1, 23 KOs) this weekend. A convincing showing from the Brit and he can push his name further into the conversation for an eventual crack at Canelo, even if Munguia tries to cut Sheeraz off at the pass.
Munguia, who is guided by Alvarez’ trainer Eddy Reynoso, has already called for a title unification fight with Sheeraz, knowing just the apt time for it.
“The Canelo-Mbilli card is definitely an event that I want to be part of,” Munguia told The Ring. “There have been some talks, and we are waiting to see what happens.
“I’m ready to be in the biggest fights, and I’m definitely open to Sheeraz,” he added. “He’s a great fighter.”
Pending the results of Sheeraz-Begic and Alvarez-Mbilli, Sheeraz has a blueprint unfurled with all roads leading to Munguia and Alvarez.
Defeating Begic is the first step, before trying to cement the showdown with Munguia as chief support to Alvarez-Mbilli this fall.
If both Sheeraz and Canelo are successful there, the collision course is in motion.
And that’s fitting, as Sheeraz, 26, has long coveted a shot at Canelo, one of his sweet science idols.
“Canelo’s always been a hero of mine,” Sheeraz told Mike Coppinger in a post-fight interview after defeating Berlanga. “Even for my name to be mentioned in the same sentence as his, that’s a great achievement.
"Listen, if I do get the opportunity to fight him, it won’t be one of those where I try to nick it on points. I would stand in the middle with him and have it out with him, and whoever lands first, I suppose, they get knocked out.”
Sheeraz has an illuminated path to see this vision to fruition. Defeating Begic inches him closer.
Watch Usyk vs Verhoeven only on DAZN
Oleksandr Usyk puts his unbeaten record on the line against Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23, in front of the Egyptian pyramids, live and exclusive on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27) PPV, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
