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Anthony Joshua is making a grand return to Wembley Stadium this Saturday, six years after his last big match there against Alexander Povetkin, which was a major event. This time, he’ll be facing fellow British fighter Daniel Dubois, who is defending his IBF heavyweight title. Joshua is aiming to become a three-time world champion in boxing, which is a significant milestone in the sport.
A record-breaking crowd of 96,000 fans is expected to attend this event, dubbed the “Riyadh Season – London Edition.” This turnout reflects the continued popularity and health of boxing in the UK, especially during the era of Anthony Joshua, who won a gold medal in the super heavyweight category at the London 2012 Olympics.
However, as Joshua approaches his 35th birthday next month, there are valid worries about who will step up from the next generation of fighters. There’s also some uncertainty about the future of boxing in the Olympics and the pathway for Team GB, which has raised concerns. Plus, the rise of boxing events in Saudi Arabia has led to fewer high-profile shows in the UK.
On the undercard for the Joshua vs. Dubois fight, there’s an undefeated middleweight fighter who is eager to showcase his skills and help alleviate some of these concerns about the future of British boxing.
Hamzah Sheeraz boxing record, next fight
Hamzah Sheeraz is set to defend his perfect record of 20 wins and no losses when he goes up against European middleweight champion Tyler Denny, who has a record of 19 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws, on the undercard.
At 33, Denny is on a strong upswing, having recently handed Felix Cash his first professional defeat. On the other hand, Sheeraz, just 25 years old, has been on fire in the ring, with every one of his last 14 fights ending before the final bell.
It’ll be fascinating to see if Denny, known for his clever tactics and experience, can put an end to Sheeraz’s impressive streak and challenge him like no one else has in a while.
Hamzah Sheeraz’s professional career, best wins
Hamzah Sheeraz kicked off his professional boxing career in September 2017 with a second-round knockout of journeyman Duane Green at London’s Copper Box. That marked the beginning of his impressive journey, which includes 16 knockouts so far.
Originally fighting at super welterweight, Sheeraz built a solid reputation with a string of victories. His last fight in that weight class was a controversial one, where he lost a point for hitting Bradley Skeete while he was down. Skeete couldn’t recover and was stopped shortly after, raising questions about Sheeraz’s struggles to maintain his weight.
Recognizing the toll it was taking, Sheeraz moved up to middleweight for his next match at Wembley Arena. There, he showcased his power by knocking down Jez Smith twice and securing a second-round stoppage.
Since then, Sheeraz has continued to rise through the ranks. He really made a name for himself on the undercard of Daniel Dubois’ attempt at Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight titles in August 2023. Facing Dmytro Mytrofanov in Poland, Sheeraz dominated the fight, finishing it in just two rounds despite the challenging atmosphere.
His next outing was even quicker, as he took out former world-title contender Liam Williams in the first round back at the Copper Box, proving his skill and readiness for bigger challenges. More recently, he faced Ammo Williams, who was considered a tough opponent, but Sheeraz demonstrated his superiority, earning an 11th-round stoppage victory. His rapid ascent shows he’s a serious contender in the middleweight division.
Hamzah Sheeraz height and reach
Hamzah Sheeraz’s impressive string of victories has positioned him as a rising contender in the world of middleweight boxing. With each win, he gets closer to conversations about competing for world titles.
At 6 feet 3 inches tall, making the 160-pound weight limit can be quite challenging, so it’s possible he might move up to a higher weight class as his career continues. This could help him maintain his performance without the strain of cutting weight.
Sheeraz, hailing from Ilford, also boasts an impressive 75.2-inch reach, fighting in an orthodox stance. This combination of height and reach gives him an advantage in the ring, allowing him to keep opponents at bay while delivering powerful strikes. His future looks bright as he continues to make waves in the sport!