Britain's Sheeraz stops Begic to claim world title

Hamzah Sheeraz has the WBO super-middleweight title over his shoulder

Image source, MatchroomImage caption,

Hamzah Sheeraz has won 19 of his 24 fights inside the distance

ByKal SajadBBC Sport boxing journalist

Published42 minutes ago

Britain's Hamzah Sheeraz claimed his first world title with a second-round stoppage win against Alem Begic to claim the vacant WBO super-middleweight crown in Egypt.

The Londoner, 26, imposed himself from the opening bell against the overmatched German, breaking him down with sharp straight jabs and uppercuts.

Begic was out of his depth and had no answer to Sheeraz's accuracy, with a left hook to the body eventually sending him down.

The 39-year-old failed to beat the count as the referee waved the fight off.

"It was simple - I saw he was very negative from when I landed the first punch," Sheeraz said.

"After that it was about walking him down and getting out of there. That is what we've done."

Sheeraz takes the WBO belt vacated by the retired Terence Crawford and edges closer to a dream match with Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in 2027.

Alvarez - who was ringside - is set to return to boxing with a fight against WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli on 12 September in Riyadh.

"There is boxing royalty ringside and I want to follow in their footsteps," Sheeraz added.

"I am beating whoever is in front of me. If Canelo wins [against Mbilli], it's up to him.

"I believe he is one of the 'goats' of boxing, to share the ring with him would be an honour. If I got the opportunity I would get the win for sure."

Earlier, Englishman Jack Catterall, 32, moved closer to a full world title shot with a one-sided points win over unbeaten Shakhram Giyasov to claim the WBA 'regular' welterweight belt.

Sheeraz sets sights on unifications

Sheeraz announced himself on the world stage on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk's world title defence against Rico Verhoeven, with the pyramids of Giza providing a striking backdrop.

Begic came in with a record of 29 wins and one draw, but the 39-year-old was largely unknown to the wider boxing public.

From the opening bell, the gulf in class was clear. Sheeraz, fresh off a career-best stoppage victory against Edgar Berlanga last summer, controlled centre ring behind a sharp jab - his key weapon - mixing in heavy hooks to the body.

"Great starting round," his trainer Andy Lee said from the corner.

The referee took a close look after a thudding right hook midway through the second round before Begic was sent to the canvas moments later, wincing in pain.

Sheeraz had fallen short in his previous world title attempt at middleweight but has appeared far more comfortable at the higher weight.

Despite the limited opposition, he has steadily progressed into one of British boxing's most improved operators.

If a showdown with Alvarez fails to materialise, other unification options remain with Jaime Munguia holding the WBA belt and Osleys Iglesias the IBF title.

"To be honest, I did what I was meant to do. Now it has got me on to the world stage and I am calling on all of the 168-pounders," he added.

Impressive Catterall keeps world title push alive

Jack Catterall floors Shakhram Giyasov in round one in Egypt

Image source, Matchroom BoxingImage caption,

Jack Catterall extended his record to 34 wins and two defeats, while Shakhram Giyasov suffered a first defeat in his 18th fight

Catterall produced one of the best performances of his career in what was widely considered a difficult match-up.

The Chorley fighter made a dream start by dropping his opponent with a straight left inside the opening two minutes.

Giyasov rose on unsteady legs as a composed Catterall continued to dictate proceedings, doubling up on his jab to the head and body while outworking his opponent throughout.

He rocked Giyasov in the sixth and eighth rounds as blood began to flow from the Uzbek's nose.

Catterall built an increasingly unassailable lead and saw the fight out comfortably to secure a unanimous decision with scores of 118-109, 119-108 and 116-111.

"I am the happiest man in the world," an emotional Catterall said. "I wasn't going to be denied. It was going to happen."

Catterall, long regarded as one of British boxing's most unfortunate 'nearly men' at world level, came agonisingly close to undisputed light-welterweight glory in 2022 when he lost controversially to Josh Taylor on points.

He now finds himself in position to face WBA 'super' champion Rolando Romero, with the sanctioning body ordering the fight to take place within 180 days.

"He's got a portion of that world champion and we need a full portion," promoter Eddie Hearn said.

"But why wait 180 days? We don't need 180 days - 90 sounds better."