Sheeraz controlled the pace from the opening bell, landing forceful punches that kept Berlanga on the back foot. The fourth round saw Berlanga hit the canvas twice, setting the stage for the finish in the following round.
After the fight, Berlanga showed grace in defeat. He said:
"It was a tough night, but it's not the end. We will reflect, learn and come back stronger."
Berlanga didn't make excuses and took responsibility with his team for the loss. As a precaution, he went to the hospital after the bout but was reported to be in good physical condition.
The fight's aftermath sparked some controversy on social media. Fans and commentators hinted at a possible unfair advantage due to Sheeraz's hand wraps. Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing promoter, quickly addressed these concerns:
"Sheeraz's bandaging was completely legal and approved by the commissioners."
Hearn explained that the process was supervised by commission officials with Berlanga's team present during the bandaging. He added that such accusations often come up when a boxer suffers an unexpected or heavy defeat.
This win puts Sheeraz in a great position in the super middleweight division. There's already talk about a potential future matchup with Canelo Alvarez, which would be a massive opportunity for the rising British star.
For Berlanga, this loss marks a setback in his career aspirations. However, his gracious response and willingness to learn from the experience show he's far from done in the sport.
As the dust settles on this bout, it's clear that Sheeraz has announced himself as a force to be reckoned with in the 168-pound weight class. The boxing world will watch with interest to see what's next for both fighters.