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Berlanga vs Sheeraz – Frank Warren names British boxing’s next big star ahead of huge fight card
Promoter Frank Warren is tipping Hamzah Sheeraz to be the next big star of British boxing ahead of his super middleweight debut against Edgar Berlanga.
Sheeraz and Berlanga are set to meet on Saturday night, live on DAZN PPV, in what will be the former’s debut at 168 lbs.
In February, Sheeraz challenged for his first world title when he faced WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames in Riyadh in what turned out to be a frustrating night for the British challenger.
Sheeraz failed to utilise his punching power against an awkward opponent in Adames and going into the latter stages, the fight was slipping out of his grasp and Warren gave an honest verdict on how his man performed that night.
“The last fight I was a bit p—d off because no one told me about the problems at the weight, that happens,” Warren said.
“When he was behind, I ran round to his corner and said ‘Listen, if you don’t win these next three rounds, you’ve lost it.’
“I’m being very honest; he was fortunate to get a draw.”
Sheeraz’s bout with Adames ended in a split draw and brought a halt to his rapid rise towards boxing’s top table.
With an underwhelming performance such as this, it was evident that changes were needed if Sheeraz was to fulfil his potential and meet the expectations placed on his shoulders.
Cue the much needed move up from 160 to 168 lbs and a new trainer in the form of Andy Lee.
A new weight and new corner team is likely to provide the perfect reset after the struggles against Adames, but instead of opting to face an easy opponent in his first fight at super middleweight, Sheeraz is going head-to-head with a former Canelo Alvarez opponent.
Berlanga is a top-level contender at 168 lbs and returned from a loss to Alvarez with a first round knockout in March.
For Warren, the task is simple for Sheeraz when he looks to upset Berlanga in his home city at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
“He’s doing well, he’s coming up in weight and straight in at the deep end,” Warren said when reflecting on this new chapter in Sheeraz’s career.
“It’s a tough fight, he’s in with Berlanga who fancies himself. He’s got to go out there, in his back yard, be the boss and put him in his place.”
For the winner, an exciting future awaits.
A date with current undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez is the carrot dangled in front of any super middleweight contender, and it’s the same situation at Ring 3.
If Sheeraz gets his hand raised on Saturday night, it will not just be another step towards facing a pound-for-pound great, but also the perfect opportunity to raise his profile and become the face of British boxing.
This is an accolade which Warren believes is possible and he too is convinced a win over Berlanga will be the start of something special.
“He's the face of modern Britain. That's what he is. He's clean cut. He's cool. He looks the part and he can fight, which is the most important thing.
“If he comes through this, he can do some marvellous things. It’s going to be a big night for him.”
British boxing is on the lookout for the next big star with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua slowly fading away, and Sheeraz could be the man to take up the mantle.
His respectable demeanour outside of the ring and brutality inside it is one that can inspire the younger generations of boxers who dream of becoming a big name within the sweet science.
But first, Sheeraz needs to come through Berlanga and prove that he is here to stay on the world stage.
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