Hamzah Sheeraz made an emphatic statement in his American debut, delivering a brutal fifth-round knockout victory over Edgar Berlanga in New York City. The performance was not just a win; it was a powerful declaration to the super-middleweight division.
The stakes for this bout were clarified before the opening bell: the victor would be positioned as the mandatory challenger for the coveted WBC super-middleweight title. This belt is currently held by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, a fighter Sheeraz now has a clear path towards challenging, potentially as early as 2026.
Sheeraz, maintaining an impressive record now standing at 22-0-1 with 18 knockouts, presented a composed and professional demeanor throughout fight week. This stood in sharp contrast to the often loud and theatrical antics of his opponent, Berlanga, whose pre-fight bravado seemed amplified by fighting in his home city. Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) was under considerable pressure to deliver, but ultimately, he could not match Sheeraz`s clinical power.
The fight began cautiously, a typical feeling-out process where both fighters measured distance and sought an opening. Berlanga offered glimpses of his jab, while Sheeraz patiently looked for opportunities to land his potent right hand. The second round offered a hint of Sheeraz`s power as a right hand grazed Berlanga. The initial rounds were marked by awkwardness and a shared reluctance to make the first critical error in such a high-consequence fight.
In the third round, Berlanga found some success doubling up his jab, attempting to establish control. Sheeraz responded by utilizing his reach, landing a long right hand and later, a crowd-pleasing uppercut that found its way through Berlanga`s guard.
The fourth round proved decisive. While Berlanga landed a clean lead left early on, providing a fleeting moment of optimism for the home crowd, Sheeraz quickly seized control. Increasing his pressure and finding his range, the Brit unleashed a devastating three-punch hook combination that sent Berlanga tumbling to the canvas for the first time. Referee David Fields allowed the fight to continue, a decision that some might question given the severity of the knockdown. Like a seasoned finisher, Sheeraz wasted no time, immediately following up with a left hand and a clean right cross that floored Berlanga again. The writing was clearly on the wall, and frankly, few would have objected if the fight had been stopped there. Instead, it was the bell, not Berlanga`s resistance or a timely intervention, that provided a brief, sixty-second reprieve.
That corner time made little difference. Just ten seconds into the fifth round, Sheeraz, sensing his opponent was severely compromised, launched a final, conclusive three-punch assault. The referee stepped in, waving off the contest decisively.
Edgar Berlanga`s pre-fight confidence was shattered by the clinical execution of Hamzah Sheeraz. The man who spoke softly but carried a big stick (specifically, a powerful right hand and accurate combinations) sent an undeniable message to the king at 168lbs. Sheeraz has officially positioned himself for a potential championship clash, demonstrating that his power and composure are a formidable force on the world stage.
