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Hamzah Sheeraz will be on Canelo’s level

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Sheeraz fights for the first time since a final round stoppage over Pitto in November Photo Credit: Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

Hamzah Sheeraz can reach Canelo Alvarez's level, says his coach Ricky Funez.  Photo: Michelle Farsi/Matchroom/Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions
Hamzah Sheeraz can reach Canelo Alvarez’s level, says his coach Ricky Funez. Photo: Michelle Farsi/Matchroom/Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

Hamzah Sheeraz has been tipped by former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton as the Briton’s top prospect after securing a 12th successive victory in November.

Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KO) stopped Guido Nicolas Pitto in the tenth and final round to defend his WBO European Super Welterweight title for the second time. The performance caught the attention of Frampton’s pundit of the night on BT Sport’s broadcast, with David Haye also equally heaping praise.

Such high praise did not go unnoticed and the undefeated fighter admitted he was honored to hear their endorsement, although he is determined to live up to the expectation.

“It was a huge compliment,” Sheeraz said proboxing-fans.com at a press conference in London on Thursday.

“Especially after it wasn’t my best performance, obviously at the end of the day it was a knockout.

“But it was a huge compliment [from] a two-time world champion like himself and David Haye, so yes [I] I was really at a loss for words.

“It’s okay, like I said, I have to do it now and that’s what I’m going to do.”

The 22-year-old has since moved stateside to join experienced trainer Ricky Funez at Ten Goose Boxing Gym in Los Angeles, and his up-to-date trainer believes he has the potential to reach a level similar to a four-division world champion and kilogram consensus -for pound number one, Canelo Alvarez.

“He is disciplined,” Funez said.

“That’s the most vital thing in boxing, you need a disciplined fighter who is very mature for his age.

“It’s been great so far and I keep saying it and telling people in America that he’ll be at Canelo’s level soon.

“Even [trainer] Joe Goossen pulled me aside and said, ‘Ricky, you hit it,’ so Joe Goossen told me I found it refreshing.”

When asked what impressed him most about working with the Slough native, Funez added: “His strength, patience and how he just picks his punches, doesn’t just waste punches.

Sheeraz is fighting for the first time since a last-round stoppage over Pitto in November.  Photo: Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions
Sheeraz is fighting for the first time since a last-round stoppage over Pitto in November. Photo: Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

“That’s what impressed me because I’m that age. A lot of fighters want to go out there and just get the guy out of the way.

“He takes his time, picks his shots and doesn’t waste them.”

Sheeraz defends his crown for the third time against former Spanish champion Ezequiel Gurria, against the backdrop of Saturday’s Joe Joyce vs. Carlos Takam clash at the SSE Arena.

“He’s a good fighter,” he said of his opponent.

“This is his huge chance at BT Sport. He’s fighting for my title. He’ll come and try to snatch it from me.

“But in the end, I trained too tough and was away from my family too long to come up with anything.

“So come Saturday night, honestly, it should just be destroyed.”

Last week, the British Boxing Board of Control announced a bid for a fight between Sheeraz and Anthony Fowler as a final eliminator for Ted Cheeseman’s British title.

BBBofC has announced a tender for the British final qualifier with Anthony Fowler.  Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
BBBofC has announced a tender for the British final qualifier with Anthony Fowler. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Sheeraz says he will leave all fight decisions to his manager and promoter, Frank Warren, but believes that even without the coveted belt, Lonsdale is number one in the country.

“I wouldn’t be in boxing, I wouldn’t step into the ring, if I thought differently. If I had any doubts, I wouldn’t have stepped into the ring.”

Watch the full interview with Hamzah Sheeraz and Ricky Funez below:

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Interviews

Lennox Lewis predicts Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight

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Lennox Lewis defeated Mike Tyson back in 2002. Photo Credit: WBN

Lennox shared these thoughts after Friday's wild fight (Photo: AP, Rex)
Lennox shared these thoughts after Friday’s wild fight (Photo: AP, Rex)

Lennox Lewis shared his predictions for Friday night’s fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.

Paul will face Lewis’ former opponent Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Texas, where about 65,000 fans are expected to attend hit event.

Most experts predict a victory for the brash YouTuber, believing that the over 30-year age difference will be too much for “Iron Mike” to overcome.

However, former undisputed heavyweight king Lewis, who stopped Tyson in 2002, is backing his former rival to get the job done.

In an interview with Schmo“The Lion” insisted the 58-year-old “still has it.”

Lennox Lewis defeated Mike Tyson in 2002. Photo: WBN
Lennox Lewis defeated Mike Tyson in 2002. Photo: WBN

“I think it will be a good fight. Mike Tyson, what he does is two-dimensional, he’ll come at you and try to knock you out.

“Now you must try to stay away from him and his powers.

“I saw him practicing one day and throwing some good combinations.

“Those six-punch combos. Paul needs to make sure he doesn’t get in their way because Tyson is a real fighter.

Paul is the bookmaker's clear favorite. Photo: Most Valuable Promotions/Esther Lin
Paul is the bookmaker’s clear favorite. Photo: Most Valuable Promotions/Esther Lin

“Tyson still has it, he can throw a punch, he can take a punch, so he’s doing something he’s used to.”

When asked about this, Lewis also had no doubts Nov 29 for his predictions.

“Mike Tyson will win.”

Tyson has not boxed professionally since his defeat to Kevin McBride in 2005. Photo: AP
Tyson has not boxed professionally since his defeat to Kevin McBride in 2005. Photo: AP

Even though the pair will only fight in two-minute rounds and will wear larger gloves, the fight is of a professional nature and will go down in their official records.

Many in the boxing world have expressed concerns about the health of the aging Tyson, with some even speculating that the fight scenario could have a predetermined outcome.

That said, the event is expected to attract tens of millions of viewers, thanks in enormous part to its live broadcast on streaming giant Netflix.

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Jaron Ennis vs Karen Chukhadzhian fight 2

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Ennis dropped Chukhadzhian in the fifth round Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Jaron Ennis defeated Karen Chukhadzhian in a rematch on Saturday in Philadelphia. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Jaron Ennis defeated Karen Chukhadzhian in a rematch on Saturday in Philadelphia. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Jaron Ennis successfully defended his IBF welterweight title for a second time, scoring points over fiery Ukrainian challenger Karen Chukhadzhian in their rematch at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday.

Ennis eliminated Chukhadzhian in the fifth round, but was forced to settle for a major unanimous decision victory.

The two met previously, in January 2023, when Ennis (32-0, KO29) won all twelve rounds on all three scorecards to capture the IBF interim title. “Boots” then knocked out Roiman Villa in ten minutes before being promoted to full champion, where he made his first defense in July, forcing the tough David Avanesyan to retire after five rounds.

Chukhadzhian (24-2, KO13) earned a rematch, becoming the IBF mandatory challenger following his victory over Harry Scarff in May.

Their second meeting was much more intense and in the opening round both were successful, with the challenger momentarily bending the knees of the home favorite with a left hook.

Ennis eliminated Chukhadzhian in the fifth round. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Ennis eliminated Chukhadzhian in the fifth round. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

The Ukrainian also had a sturdy second, but Ennis quickly took up the task, cornering his man and unloading in the third before landing an uppercut in the fourth.

The 27-year-old then made the breakthrough in the fifth over with a wobbly cut from Chukhadzhian before another attack forced the visitor to a knee.

The knockdown halted the 28-year-old’s momentum in the next few rounds, with Ennis’ moves and combinations securing the rounds, and the championship rounds started badly for the Kiev fighter as he was deducted a point for excessive holding.

Ennis defended his IBF welterweight world title Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Ennis defended his IBF welterweight world title Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

He continued to fight and showed signs of life in the penultimate frame, and the final round was also encouraging as he let go of his hands and landed some powerful punches.

However, the efforts were ultimately in vain as Ennis retained his belt with scores of 119-107, 117-109 and 116-110, and the American suggested increasing weight for his next appearance.

Ennis’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that talks are underway about the February fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr, as a result of which the fighter from Philadelphia will enhance to 154 pounds and will probably relinquish the belt.

“My performance was okay,” Ennis said DAZN after the fight.

“I think it’s time to move on to ’54.

“I felt good, but I felt that in 1954 I would be much better and my pop would be what it should be.

“Now I’m getting older. I’m 27 years aged. Next year I will be 28 years aged.

Bam attacks Guevara

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez scored another impressive victory, defending his WBC super flyweight title for the first time in his second term as champion with a dominant third-round knockout of Pedro Guevara, who had never been stopped before.

Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KO) finished Guevara (42-5-1, 22 KO) with a keen left hook in the third period, and although the Mexican got the count over, a vicious right uppercut on the restart sent the challenger to the ground on his back and the fight was over. end.

Bam Rodriguez blew Guevara away. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Bam Rodriguez crushed Guevara. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Ford is back to winning ways

Ray Ford lost his WBA featherweight world title to Nick Ball in his last fight, but he made an impressive move up to super featherweight here, defeating Orlando Gonzalez twice en route to a crushing victory on the cards.

Ford (16-1-1, 8 KO) defeated Gonzalez (23-3, 13 KO) in the second round with a right hook, and with the same shot scored another knockdown in the eighth round, then won by two scores of 100–88 and one score 99–89.

Coe stunned by Gallegos

Prospective delicate heavyweight contender Khalil Coe (9-1-1, 7 KO) suffered a shock after his first professional defeat, fell four times before being stopped in the ninth round during his meeting with Manuel Gallegos (21-2-1, 18 KO).

Coe fell four times in the first stunning defeat of his career. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Coe fell four times in the first stunning defeat of his career. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Undercard remaining

The only fighter in the eighth round was a middleweight, and Austin “Ammo” Williams (17-1, 12 KO) returned from a loss to Hamzah Sheeraz in June, defeating Gian Garrido (11-2, 8 KO) in five rounds.

Ismail Muhammad (6-0, 3 KO) won all four rounds in the welterweight division against Nelson Morales (5-19, 2 KO) and Dennis Thompson (3-0, 2 KO) was the winner of the second round in the super bantamweight division against Edgar Ortiz Jr (8-6-2, 4 KO).

Rookie Zaquin Moses (1-0) scored a victory over Michael Ruiz (1-5) in the super featherweight division.

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Interviews

Liam Davies vs. Shabaz Masoud

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Liam Davies has been riding the crest of the wave ahead of his showdown with Masoud. (Photo Credit: Stephen Dunkley, Queensberry)

Davies vs Masoud fight is one of the best domestic offerings of the year (Photo: Queensberry)
Davies vs Masoud fight is one of the best domestic offerings of the year (Photo: Queensberry)

A breathtaking fight of the undefeated will culminate this Saturday at Resorts World in Birmingham, where Liam Davies defends his IBO super bantamweight title for the first time against venerable amateur rival Shabaz Masoud.

TNT Sports will broadcast the Davies vs. Masoud fight live in the UK, with Frank Warren and Queensberry on promotional duties.

Davies (16-0, 8 KO) has made huge progress over the past two years, starting with winning the British title with a handy scoring win against Marc Leach in June 2022. The Telford man backed this victory he overtook Ionut Baluta for the European crown five months later and stopped Jason Cunningham in the round last July to maintain his momentum.

After stopping Vincenzo La Femina in five fights last November, Davies was sidelined once in 2024 and defeated Erik Robles Ayala in two in March to claim the vacant IBO crown, which he defends this weekend.

Liam Davies is riding the wave ahead of his fight with Masoud. (Photo: Stephen Dunkley, Queensberry)
Liam Davies is riding the wave ahead of his fight with Masoud. (Photo: Stephen Dunkley, Queensberry)

Masoud (13-0, 4 KO) has defeated Davies twice in unpaid mode and will be looking to complete a hat-trick here in the professional ranks. The Stoke-on-Trent ‘Maverick’ has only been dropped twice since stopping Jack Bateson in the twelfth and final round in November 2022, with the first time taking a ten-round split decision against Jose Sanmartin in November last year.

While waiting to face Davies, Masoud dismissed Marvin Solano in the first round of their July meeting before winning all eight sessions.

Masoud hopes to upset favorite Queensberry. Photo: Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
Masoud hopes to upset favorite Queensberry. Photo: Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Prediction: This might be a technicality as both will be successful, but I’m leaning towards the more experienced Davies winning the third game, probably clearly on points.

Cameron argues with Berghult.

The card features four ten-round fighters, led by former undisputed super lightweight world champion Chantelle Cameron (19-1, 8 KO). She will face Patricia Berghult (17-1, 4 KO) for the WBC interim title at 140 pounds.

Cameron had two thrillers with Katie Taylor in 2023, winning by majority decision before dropping one in the rematch, but the move to Queensberry was a needy debut for her as she took another majority decision, this time against Elhem Mekhaled.

Berghult is a former WBC super welterweight champion, but her only loss was a crushing loss to Natasha Jonas in September 2022. Since then, she has won two modest six-round victories.

Berghult was well defeated by Natasha Jonas. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Berghult was well defeated by Natasha Jonas. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Prediction: Cameron will be looking to impress here and I don’t think Berghult will cause too many problems. Cameron can perform well on the scorecards.

Essuman, James and Taylor return to action.

Ekow Essuman (20-1, 8 KO) is fresh off a thrilling last-round stoppage of Owen Cooper to capture the WBO European welterweight title in July and could set another undefeated record here when defending against Ben Vaughan (10-0, 3 ) KO), who never exceeded six frames. Essuman is selected after being retained at the end.

Essuman is a player who cannot be beaten at the national level. Photo: Queensberry Promotions
Essuman is a player who cannot be beaten at the national level. Photo: Queensberry Promotions

Ethan James (12-1, 0 KO) was beaten by Cooper in his last outing and retired after nine in March in Birmingham, but he can get back to winning ways here, defeating Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards in ten rounds in welterweight and scoring points (11-0, 1 KO).

In the delicate heavyweight division, Ezra Taylor (9-0, 6 KO) may win the fight against Latvian Kristaps Bulmeistars (12-2, 5 KO).

The remainder of the bill covers four circular issues.

Eoghan Lavin (2-0, 0 KO) can win his middleweight match against Remi Scholer (4-12, 1 KO) on points, and in the super flyweight fight Bradley Thompson (5-0, 2 KO) should defeat Sean Jackson ( 0-25-1), on the referee’s card.

Eoghan Lavin is tipped to be a future Irish boxing star (photo: Queensberry X)
Eoghan Lavin is tipped to be a future Irish boxing star (photo: Queensberry X)

Also in the super flyweight division, Mykyle Ahmed (1-0, 1 KO) may need all four sessions to claim victory over Yin Caicedo (10-24-4, 4 KO), while heavyweight debutant Lewis Williams will also likely need time. to raise his hand in the fight against Lamah Griggs (3-9-1, 0 KO).

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