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'Don't take it too seriously!' - Sheeraz ready to seize latest world title tilt
Hamzah Sheeraz learned plenty of things when he was in the ring last year - but his most important title takeaway is a surprise.
"It sounds funny, but [don't] take it too seriously," the star tells DAZN News when asked what he still draws from facing Carlos Adames.
"We're strictly business. But [I'm going] to enjoy the moment and trust in the work that we've done in the gym. I have the right man."
Sheeraz's man in question appears to be Andy Lee, the former WBO middleweight champion-turned-top-drawer trainer for the stars.
DAZN FACE OFF: Usyk vs. Verhoeven
Watch dramatic clash here
This weekend, the Slough-born fighter will attempt to emulate the figure in his corner when he faces Alem Begic at the Giza necropolis.
The setting? Spectacular. But not quite as much as the prize - the vacant WBO super-middleweight title last held by Terence Crawford.
For Sheeraz, this latest crack is less a chance to right the wrongs of his WBC middleweight bid against Adames in January last year.
Instead, it is a chance to show he belongs in the division, and reaffirm that his demolition win over Edgar Berlanga was no mere fluke.
"It's just simplifying things," he muses. "I'm not going to say I'm the most skilled fighter. I believe I have to work hard compared to others."
'It's the fear of the unknown'
Most people know the Sheeraz story by now. The son of a cricketer, he almost walked away from the sport before turning pro in 2017.
From there, he has racked up a near-flawless decade, building through small halls and arena undercards to stadium showdown bouts.
When he faced off with Adames, he arrived as the marginal favourite to dethrone him and take his crown. Instead, they fought to a draw.
It was the springboard for Sheeraz to chance his arm one division up, thrown in at the deep end against Berlanga at The Ring III last July.
With just a lone loss to Canelo Alvarez on his record, the Brooklyn man had never been stopped. The Briton needed just five rounds.
Now, as chief support on the Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven undercard, he can underline exactly why he belongs at this level again.
Begic presents something that he must configure though - an opponent that, by his own admission, represents an obscure adversary.
"It's the fear of the unknown," he admits. "I haven't really seen much of him in all honesty. He's got nothing to lose. That's his advantage."
What might his foe have overlooked? "I think my jab. I'm a left-handed orthodox. I feel like it's underrated. In the next few fights, you'll see."
'To be part of history, it's a big occasion'
Whatever happens though, Sheeraz won't be distracted by the majesty of a once-in-a-lifetime event, even if he is aware of the history.
The Usyk-Verhoeven card, held beneath the shadow of the Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx, joins boxing's most unique destinations.
For the star, it represents a once-in-a-lifetime chance - but it is something that he stresses will mean just as much to those behind the scenes.
"It means a lot, but not just for the fighters," he notes. "For the teams as well. Not only am I blessed, but we're all blessed to be able to come.
CRIS ESQUEDA/GOLDEN BOY
"To be part of history, it's a big ocasion. It's the promotional teams, the media, everybody who comes with us. We're blessed beyond what we see."
Sheeraz has been part of big nights before, figuring in key roles on the undercards of some major stadium fights himself over the past few years.
Yet he insists the task at hand remains the same, irrespective of whether he's at York Hall, Wembley Stadium or the north-east African continent.
"There isn't a difference," he says. "Once you're in the zone, it doesn't matter. You could be anywhere. You could be on Mars and it's the same mentality."
For Sheeraz, he will hope that it doesn't matter on Saturday night. All that matters is heading home as champion of the world for the very first time.
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.
