Hamzah Sheeraz has cut a reserved figure throughout the fight week build up to his European middleweight title fight with Tyler Denny which takes place at Wembley Stadium this weekend.
Sheeraz, 20-0 (16 KOs) clearly feels comfortable in his position. The 25-year-old established himself as one of the most promising fighters in the world by stopping Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams in June. He has no need to talk loudly at press conferences or push his own agenda; Sheeraz is happy to let his fists do the talking.
“Particularly being a Riyadh Season ambassador, there’s expectations there,” Sheeraz said. “People say, ‘Is it pressure?’ I wouldn’t say it’s pressure. I like having these expectations of me because I turn up, I show up, and I get the knockout.”
As Sheeraz’s status as an ambassador indicates, he has quickly become one of the favourites of Riyadh Season. However, while he brings name value and a lofty world ranking into Saturday’s fight, he will be playing the role of challenger.
Sheeraz will have to walk to the ring first and wait for Denny to make his entrance. The 33-year-old southpaw will relish every second of his ring walk. After a rocky start he has turned his career around and become one of British boxing’s feel-good stories. He looked better than ever when grinding down Felix Cash earlier this year.
Sheeraz was in no mood to heap praise on his rival. Instead, he chose to remind Denny that he has a far more serious challenge on his hands.
“He does what he’s got to do. He turns up and he beats whoever’s in front of him – as an underdog and what not – but at the end of the day you’ve got to remember that I’m nothing like the last five fighters he’s upset,” he said.
“I go out to L.A and do my thing and if you speak to anyone – Ricky [Funez, his coach], or my team – you’ll understand that I‘m a very, very disciplined man and I understand the mission; what I’ve set out to do and how I want to achieve it. The buck stops with Tyler Denny and I’ve got to get him out of the way. “
Sheeraz is riding a remarkable fourteen-fight knockout streak and has designs on extending it.
“Yeah, definitely, inshallah. That’s the plan. I’ve worked too hard.”
John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79
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