Hamzah Sheeraz knocked out Edgar Berlanga in a boxing match on July 12 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens. But the fight's outcome has now been called into question.
Genesis Calderon, Berlanga's wife, took to Instagram to accuse Sheeraz of using illegal hand wraps during the bout. She claimed she couldn't stay silent about what she saw, even though they can accept defeat gracefully.
Calderon described Sheeraz's left hand wrap as suspicious, yellow-stained, and hard. She said it felt thick and almost plaster-like, suggesting it might have contained resin or epoxy. These substances are completely illegal in boxing.
She raised more concerns about the post-fight inspection. According to Calderon, only Sheeraz's right hand wrap was removed for inspection after the fight. She also pointed out photos from a previous fight that showed similar wrapping.
"We can accept defeat with grace, but I cannot stay silent about what I saw. There is a difference between losing a fight and being set up to be hurt."
Calderon added that Berlanga's recovery seemed worse than after his fight with Canelo Alvarez. She questioned how the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) approved Sheeraz's bandages before the match.
The fight itself saw Sheeraz dominate. He knocked Berlanga down twice in the fourth round and sealed the victory in the fifth. Berlanga, known as "The Chosen One," initially accepted the defeat with humility and planned to rebuild.
So far, no one has officially addressed these accusations. It's not clear if this complaint will lead to any formal investigation or if it will remain a social media controversy.
If true, these allegations could have serious implications. They'd compromise the fight's integrity, raise questions about everyone involved in boxing, and highlight potential safety concerns for boxers.
