In the high-stakes world of professional boxing, moments of truth often arrive unexpectedly. For British middleweight prospect Hamzah Sheeraz, such a moment occurred in February during a highly anticipated clash for the WBC title against Carlos Adames. Expected by many, including his prominent promoter Frank Warren, to secure a dominant victory and further solidify his burgeoning star status, the fight unfolded with unanticipated difficulty.
As the rounds progressed, it became evident that Sheeraz was not operating at his peak. The struggle was significant enough to draw his promoter, Frank Warren, and even a figure as influential as Turki Alalshikh, to his corner late in the bout, delivering urgent, direct instructions. “I ran round to the corner and said, `listen, you don`t win these next three rounds, you`ve lost it,`” Warren recounted later, highlighting the critical nature of the situation.
The fight ultimately ended in a draw, a result that, while avoiding a loss, represented a significant setback. The expected title win and a potential crowning moment evaporated. Post-fight analysis revealed underlying issues: Sheeraz had sustained a broken hand during the contest and, critically, had faced considerable difficulty making the 160-pound weight limit. This confluence of factors painted a clearer picture of the challenges faced that night.
The Adames fight served as more than just a difficult night; it became a catalyst for fundamental change. A critical self-assessment led to strategic shifts aimed at addressing the identified vulnerabilities and unlocking Sheeraz`s full potential. The first step was a timely and necessary move up to the super middleweight division. Wrestling with the middleweight limit was clearly detrimental, and campaigning at 168 pounds offers a more natural and sustainable physical platform.
Equally significant was a complete overhaul of his training setup. Sheeraz relocated from his long-time base in Los Angeles to Dublin, Ireland, to work under the tutelage of acclaimed trainer Andy Lee. Lee, a former WBO middleweight world champion himself, has rapidly established a reputation as one of the sport`s sharpest minds, credited with revitalizing careers like heavyweight Joseph Parker and guiding emerging talents such as Ben Whittaker after his own early career draw. Sheeraz described the move as “amazing” and “refreshing,” finding the repetitive routines of his previous environment giving way to a more invigorating and beneficial rhythm under Lee`s guidance.
“Normally, when you go to new coaches, some things feel forced, certain conversations feel forced,” Sheeraz noted, contrasting this with his experience with Lee. “He`s a very, very, very sure and confident man because, you know what he`s done, he has been there and done it.” This rapport, built on mutual respect and Lee`s proven experience, is seen as crucial to Sheeraz`s development.
Now, the testing ground for this transformation arrives in the form of Edgar Berlanga in New York. This weekend`s bout represents Sheeraz`s high-profile debut on American soil, a crucial step in re-establishing his trajectory. Berlanga, known for his power and his often vocal pre-fight approach, presents a stern challenge. As Warren puts it, Sheeraz is going “straight in the deep end” against a fighter who “fancies himself” and will have the home crowd behind him. The task, as Warren defines it, is for Sheeraz to “go out here, be the boss, and put him in his place.”
For Sheeraz, the Berlanga fight is more than just a contest; it`s an opportunity to make a statement and prove that the changes instituted since February are yielding results. He views the Adames draw not as a disaster, but potentially “a blessing in disguise” – a moment that revealed necessary areas for improvement to compete at the elite level. Fighting Berlanga in the US, he believes, is the perfect platform. “You couldn`t ask for a better fight to kind of come out to the U.S fans for,” he stated, acknowledging that Berlanga`s “loud mouth talks a lot of smack,” which simply amplifies the attention on the fight. The goal is clear: “all I`ve got to do is go in there, perform and it makes my job easier.”
The narrative is set: a talented fighter faces adversity, makes bold changes, and seeks redemption on a major international stage under new guidance. The New York lights will soon reveal whether Hamzah Sheeraz`s rebirth under Andy Lee is the catalyst that propels him back towards the summit of the sport.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow