Hamzah Sheeraz has shaken up the boxing world with a stunning fifth-round knockout of Edgar Berlanga in New York. The British super middleweight's victory has drawn immediate comparisons to Canelo Alvarez, who previously beat Berlanga by decision.
Sheeraz's win has silenced doubters after his previous draw and put his name at the top of the super middleweight conversation. The 26-year-old Brit didn't hold back when discussing a potential showdown with Canelo.
"If I get to fight Canelo, I'm not going to look to beat him on points. I'm going to stand in the center of the ring and trade punches."
Frank Warren, Sheeraz's promoter, believes this performance gives his fighter a real shot against the Mexican superstar.
"If Sheeraz could knock out Berlanga and Canelo couldn't, then he has to have a chance against him,"Warren said.
The gap between Canelo's past dominance and the new generation seems to be narrowing. At 34, Canelo remains the dominant figure in boxing but has plans to retire between 37 and 38 years old.
Turki Alalshikh, a key figure in boxing, has publicly endorsed a potential showdown, stating that Hamzah now deserves a fight with Canelo in 2026.
However, Canelo's immediate plans involve a fight with Terence Crawford on September 13. This bout is part of a four-fight deal under the Riyadh Season organization. The Mexican champion might prioritize legacy-consolidating fights over emerging challenges in his final years.
The super middleweight landscape is changing rapidly. Sheeraz's knockout win over Berlanga, who Canelo couldn't stop, raises questions about succession at the top of the division. As Canelo nears the end of his career, the pressure mounts to face these emerging threats and cement his legacy.
While Canelo focuses on his upcoming fights, the boxing world will watch Sheeraz's progress with great interest. The young Brit has proven he's a force to be reckoned with, and a future clash with Canelo could be one of the most anticipated fights in the coming years.
