FOLLOWING a self-imposed break, Hamzah Sheeraz has course-corrected with renewed clarity and focus. This came after a deflating WBC world championship title fight against Carlos Adames, 24-1-1 (18 KOs), ended in a draw in Riyadh this February.
Now competing in a new weight class, under a new trainer, Sheeraz, 21-0-1 (17 KOs), is set to headline Ring Magazine 3 against Edgar Berlanga, 23-1-0 (18 KOs), this Saturday evening in New York.
With a lot to unpack, let’s backtrack to that fateful night in Riyadh. Sheeraz takes full responsibility for what happened and offers an honest assessment of how things unfolded.
“I didn’t blame anyone, it was all down to doing myself and the decisions I made, it’s like that saying: how can you complain about the mess the wind has made when I was the one who opened the window?”
He continues to reflect candidly: “I should have adapted a lot quicker and my whole game plan should have been different, even with the broken hand.
“I’ve never tried to box before. I was under the instructions to box and it’s a game plan I wasn’t familiar with. It wasn’t pressure, it was more indecisiveness. There’s a little bit of friction caused in the corner, because you’re being told to do one thing, but you know you can do another thing.
“I’m not blaming anyone, but just pointing out that it was a game plan I was never familiar with. One that my coach at the time was adamant on sticking to. It’s different when you’re in there for yourself, you know what you’re capable of, you know if they’re capable of hurting you, and you know what you’re doing.
“It was down to a little bit of inexperience, and it was down to kind of panicking on the night, not rising to the occasion.”
There is also the small matter of Sheeraz breaking his hand during the fight, which occurred around the fourth round.
“I hit him, then the shot just went up my arm, and that was it. Every time I was trying to hit him, I only hit him like 20 per cent of the way, but I just had to kind of push through it. And then the last few rounds I kind of upped it again, but just enough to get the door, not enough to get the win.”
Things can go sideways in boxing very quickly. Heading into that fight, Sheeraz had all the momentum. He was undefeated, a knockout artist, and a hometown favourite representing Riyadh as its boxing ambassador.
But after 12 tough rounds, he walked away without a win, nursing a broken hand and facing waves of online criticism. He’s got a healthy perspective on it all now and has learned to take the rough with the smooth.
“I’ve come to the realisation that boxing is full of opinions, and that’s what makes boxing great, right? All these opinions; it makes the boxing world go round. You have your good days, you have your bad days.”
Criticism from strangers is one thing, but it was his own circle turning against him that truly hurt.
“When it came to the time in your career when you kind of hit a bump in the road and you don’t live up to this golden boy expectation for one fight – you can see that shift in energy, of the shift of benefits with certain individuals within the team and close to home, close to myself.
“It was a blessing, because I’ve downsized massively in terms of the team. I know it will do me a world of good.”
Having had some time to lick his wounds, Sheeraz began focusing on growth and recalibration.
“It was all just staying consistent and understanding that this is life – that’s what it’s come down to; it’s not the end of the world. It just kind of gives you that extra hunger and that extra fuel to the fire, really grit your teeth and crack on.”
First things first, Sheeraz opted for a change of scenery and moved out to Dubai.
“Life is just better here; people are happier, energy is good, and it’s a Muslim country, which helps. We’re blessed to be in a place where the leader does as much for the people as the people do as much for the leader, so it’s a really good energy to be around.”
Next, he teamed up with new trainer Andy Lee, known for guiding successful career revivals for fighters like Joseph Parker and Tyson Fury.
“I feel like stylistically it makes sense. We flew over to the gym in Ballybrack, Dublin and we watched Ben Whittaker do a session with Andy and we liked what we saw. He’s even better as a person, a nice guy, a great guy, and someone who I can see myself being with until the end of my boxing career.”
Sheeraz also made the leap to the super-middleweight division, offering a fresh coat of paint in a stacked weight class. His comeback fight against Edgar Berlanga, a recent challenger for the undisputed titles, marks a serious test right out of the gate.
“It’s straight into the deep end. The Berlanga fight makes a lot of sense. A good, well-respected name to get straight back in the mix with. Getting in the ring with someone like himself and beating him, puts me right back up there again.”
Headlining the New York event is a massive platform for Sheeraz. It speaks volumes about the loyalty between him and Turki Alalshikh, who continues to back Sheeraz’s potential. Sheeraz, for his part, isn’t taking anything lightly.
“July 12th – it’s straight back in the mix, that’s the first stop. I don’t want to think or discuss anything other than that. As of right now, it’s about getting back on track, getting back on it – and just being present in the super-middleweight division.”
Having walked his own Hero’s Journey and faced the abyss, Hamzah shares what he has learned in the process.
“My message would be to just always remember your end goal. Ups and downs are going to happen in life. Be willing to make change, be brave in making change, because it’s not easy, and just own who you are.”
