Latest news with #BerlangaSheeraz
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Berlanga only facing ‘C-level fighter' Sheeraz to get second shot at Canelo
Edgar Berlanga, 23-1 (18), has labelled upcoming opponent Hamzah Sheeraz, 21-0-1 (17), as a 'C-level' fighter, stating that he is only fighting the Brit in order to get another shot at Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. Berlanga and Sheeraz faced off for the first time ahead of their bout in New York City on Saturday, July 12, with the pair co-headlining alongside Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda. The clash will mark Sheeraz's debut at super middleweight, a weight class Berlanga has operated at for the entirety of his career. Brooklyn-born Berlanga once challenged to become a world champion, losing via unanimous decision to WBO, WBC, and WBA belt holder Canelo Alvarez in September 2024. When it was put to Berlanga that Sheeraz would be the second-toughest fighter he had faced as a professional by The Ring, the 27-year-old did not agree. 'I don't think so. I think he's a C-level fighter. I'm not taking him lightly,' Berlanga replied. Berlanga earned notoriety when he began his career with 16 consecutive first-round knockouts, but the super middleweight felt that he had targeted tough fighters that he just happened to beat easily. The Puerto Rican began: 'If it was easy, everybody would be knocking people out in the first round. One thing is for sure, we never grabbed a guy who was selling oranges or working in Walmart. We grabbed legit fighters to try and get me rounds. Hey, I was going to knock them out.' Organiser of the event, Turki Alalshikh, implied that the winner of Berlanga-Sheeraz would be in line to face Canelo after the Mexican superstar's mega-clash with Terence Crawford. During the press conference, Alalshikh shared: 'This card will affect our next card. The eye of the result of Berlanga and Sheeraz is Canelo. This is a big card, an important card. This will affect boxing. Watching the result of Crawford and Canelo, Berlanga wants to put a very big statement on his first card with us.'
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Venue set for Berlanga-Sheeraz and Stevenson-Zepeda card
Edgar Berlanga will meet Hamzah Sheeraz in New York this July in a co-main event at the Louis Armstrong Stadium alongside a match between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda. Sheeraz, 21-0-1 (17), will make his super middleweight debut on 12 July against Edgar Berlanga, 23-1 (18), whilst Shakur Stevenson, 23-0 (11), will defend his WBC lightweight title against interim champion William Zepeda, 33-0 (27). All of the action from the event will be live on DAZN. It will be the first time boxing has been staged at the 14,000-seat venue, which is mostly used for tennis. Aside from the co-headliners, other fights on the card have been confirmed, with another world title bout scheduled. Alberto Puello, 24-0 (10) will look to defend his WBC junior lightweight title against Subriel Matias, 22-2 (22), a former world champion at 140 pounds who held the IBF strap between 2023 and 2024. A light-heavyweight clash between David Morrell, 11-1 (9), and Australian-based Imam Khataev, 10-0 (9), is the fourth confirmed fight. Cuban Morrell is looking to bounce back from his first career loss at the hands of David Benavidez last time out, whilst Khataev is keen to preserve his unbeaten record and bolster his credentials for a title shot.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Edgar Berlanga claims he's only facing 'C-level fighter' Hamzah Sheeraz to secure rematch against Canelo as Louis Armstrong Stadium is announced as venue for July 12 bout
Edgar Berlanga has dismissed undefeated British fighter Hamzah Sheeraz as a mere stepping stone on his path back to a high-profile rematch with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, branding Sheeraz a 'C-level' opponent ahead of their July 12 bout. Berlanga, 27, will meet Sheeraz on a stacked card co-headlined by Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, NY. The fight will mark Sheeraz's first venture into the super middleweight division—territory Berlanga has occupied his entire professional career. While some are viewing the 21-0-1 (17 KOs) Sheeraz as one of Berlanga's most formidable opponents to date, the Brooklyn native firmly disagrees. 'I don't see it that way,' Berlanga said when asked if Sheeraz ranks among his top challenges. 'He's a C-level fighter. I'm not underestimating him, but let's be real.' Berlanga, who made headlines with a streak of 16 consecutive first-round knockouts early in his career, insists his past opposition was no walkover. 'We never picked guys off the street. These were real fighters, and I just made it look easy,' he said. Confident he can deliver another emphatic finish, Berlanga predicted a swift end to Sheeraz's night. 'He's going to be my 18th first-round knockout,' he declared. 'If he comes to fight early, he's getting stopped early. You got gifted your last win and fired your trainer. Now you think you can come here and mess with me? You'll have to kill me to win.' The July clash comes as part of Berlanga's first appearance under the promotional banner of Turki Alalshikh and The Ring Magazine. According to Alalshikh, the stakes are high—possibly determining the next challenger for Canelo Alvarez after the Mexican's blockbuster bout with Terence Crawford. 'This event will shape our next one,' Alalshikh explained. 'All eyes are on the result of Berlanga vs. Sheeraz. Canelo is watching.' He went on to add: 'This is an important night for boxing, and Berlanga wants to make a serious statement in his debut with us.' Berlanga, now 23-1 (18 KOs), is eager to rebound from his only career loss—a decision defeat to Canelo Alvarez in September 2024. With a dominant win, he hopes to reignite that rivalry and position himself once again among the super middleweight elite.
