Hamzah Sheeraz won the WBO super-middleweight world title last month, and with the unbeaten star willing to have a quick turnaround, a fellow 168lber has declared that he would be ready for a short-notice opportunity to challenge the Brit.
Next month, Anthony Joshua will make his return to action as he takes on Kristian Prenga in Jeddah on July 25, hoping to tee up a long-awaited showdown with perennial rival Tyson Fury.
Earlier this week, BoxingScene reported that two world titles could be up for grabs on the undercard, with both Josh Kelly and Sheeraz set for their first defences of super-welterweight and super-middleweight world honours respectively.
While Kelly is reportedly poised to face Belfast’s Caoimhin Agyarko, Sheeraz’s opponent is unknown, with a top 15 WBO ranking being the only stipulation.
In an interview with Boxing News, 39-year-old Milorad Zizic, who is rated as the WBO #9, shared his willingness to challenge for Sheeraz’s crown, in a fight where he could join Dejan Zlatičanin as the second Montenegrin world champion in boxing history.
“It would mean a lot to me. I live for that goal. It would be a great honour for me, my family, Montenegro, and the entire Balkan region. To become only the second world champion in Montenegro’s history would be something truly special.
“It would mean everything to me. I live for boxing. I truly believe that this fight could become the upset of the decade.”
Zizic, once named as the hardest puncher that Floyd Mayweather Sr. has ever witnessed, then went on to share his confidence in that proposed contest, where he hopes to continue a streak of six consecutive bouts that have not lasted more than two rounds.
“Hamzah Sheeraz is a true champion. He’s in his prime, and I have a lot of respect for him. But believe me, he has never faced — and will never face — a puncher as devastating as I am. I respect him as a fighter, but not to the point where I think I can’t beat him. I believe in my abilities, and I’m confident I can make my dream a reality.
“It will be a war from the first bell, I know how it can be. If we fight and he survives five rounds, he will be the winner, but five rounds against me is a long time.
“If Hamzah and his team want this fight, I’m ready. If not, that’s okay too. I’ll keep moving forward, keep working, and stay focused on my journey. My time will come.”
Whilst his lead trainer is Joco Todorovic, Zizic was previously cornered by fan-favourite four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr, who continues to coach him.
Speaking with Boxing News, Jones explained why he believes Zizic would be an interesting test for Sheeraz, agreeing with Zizic’s plan to force a shoot-out.
“Zizic is a very strong puncher, just like Sheeraz is, they are both very strong punchers. Zizic had been off for a minute, but he came back and got four quick wins, he is back active and I think that would be a great fight for Sheeraz.
“Like I said, they are both really good punchers and Sheeraz won’t meet many people that can match his punching power, but Zizic does have punching power like that.”
“He has got to go right to him. He can’t try to box him, he will go right to him. That would probably be the smartest approach because if you box him, with as long as he [Sheeraz] is, he is going to beat you.
“So your best chance is try to and get to him as quick as you can and see if he can take your punches. If you wait, he is going to get you out of there.”
News on Sheeraz’s opponent – should he feature on the card – is expected imminently, with other WBO-rated contenders, Bernardin Jakaj (#12) and Jack Bowen (#14) also available as potential opponents.
