With the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt serving as the mighty backdrop, boxing coronated a young king Saturday night.
Hamzah Sheeraz menacingly demolished an outmatched Alem Begic with a second-round knockout to claim the vacant WBO super middleweight world championship, live and exclusive on DAZN PPV, before having words for Canelo Alvarez. The bout served as chief support to unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk clashing with kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in the headliner.
From the opening ticks of the first round, it was brutally apparent that there was a glaring disparity of levels between Sheeraz and the German fighting veteran, Begic.
Without any respect for anything Begic had to offer, Sheeraz walked him down and proceeded to establish the jab and heavier artillery that went unanswered behind it.
By the next round, Sheeraz was increasing the pain, pressuring Begic and unloading with a barrage of hooks, before ultimately crumpling him with a crippling body shot.
With the destructive victory and world title in tow, Sheeraz didn't mince words in saying live on DAZN that he wants to collect all the belts at 168 pounds. The optimal route toward that of course would be to line up a fight with Canelo Alvarez, who challenges for Christian Mbilli's WBC super middleweight title September 12 and was sitting ringside Saturday night.
"That's up to him at the end of the day," Sheeraz said live on DAZN. "I believe he's one of the GOATs in boxing, so to share the ring with him would be an honor ... and if I get the opportunity, I'll definitely be getting the win for sure."