Boxing
Next time, Crawford may face Sheeraz to delay the real threat
Published
6 months agoon
Hamzah Sheeraz says he would like to fight Terence Crawford next for his four belts at 168. Undefeated Sheeraz, ranked No. 2 in the WBC and No. 2 in the WBO rankings (22-0-1, 18 KOs) states that it would be “honor” next time we’ll face Crawford.
Crawford’s escape hatch at 168
Terence could buy himself some time defending himself against the flawed, stork-like Sheeraz, as three fire-breathing dragons are balmy on his heels:
- Isleys Iglesias – IBF mandatory
- Christian Mbilli – WBC mandatory
- Jose Armando Resendiz – WBA interim champion
A fight with Sheeraz right now would be a win for Crawford, allowing him to temporarily bypass the above talents.
Crawford (42-0, 31 KO) will certainly take it as usual, a year off before he defends his four belts, which will make his job much more complex when he fights in 2026. If Crawford sticks to his 12-13 month schedule of fighting only once a year, when Crawford returns to the ring in September or October of next year, he will be 39 years senior.
“Who wouldn’t? It would be an honor to share a ring with him, but we’ll see what happens,” Hamzah Sheeraz said in an interview Fighting Hub TV when asked if he would be interested in fighting Terence Crawford for his undisputed 168-pound championship.
As you might expect, Crawford will hold out as long as possible while waiting to see if Canelo Alvarez decides to rematch him. This is Bud’s best hope of raising another $50 million. He doesn’t make that kind of money fighting anyone other than David Benavidez, who he’s already ruled out as an option.
Mount Rushmore’s ambitions
If Canelo doesn’t give Crawford the rematch he’s looking for, Sheeraz will be a definite option unless Terence, for selfish reasons, decides to drop down to 160 pounds and try to win a sixth-division world title. He sees this as a path to cementing his place among the top four fighters of all time on boxing’s Mount Rushmore. This is a tender, superficial way to gain a top position.
Of course, the not-so-true greats Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis would have had their careers if they had been focused on establishing themselves. They didn’t think that way. They were naturally focused on fighting the best, with no ulterior motives.
“I got a call from His Excellency and his team. They wanted me to fight [Diego] Pacheco in February. I said, “No problem.” Let’s do it. And a few days later he did [Pacheco] announced the fight against [Kevin Lele] Sadjo,” Sheeraz said.
If Sheeraz is real, prove it
Turki Alalshikh should have asked Sheeraz to fight Isley Iglesias, Christian Mbilli or David Benavidez, not Diego Pacheco. These are real talents that would attract a lot of attention.
If Sheeraz is as good as Turki thinks, he should have no problem beating these three. However, if it is imitation, it will be blown out of the water by them and it will turn out to be a hoax job. Some fans already suspect this after watching his performance against Carlos Adames and noticing his inflated resume.
“I would love that fight,” Sheeraz said when asked if he would like to face Jaime Munguia next. “He was there with Canelo. He’s similar to Edgar Berlanga in terms of profile.”
Tom Galm has been covering the global boxing scene since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, business trends and fighter psychology.
Last update: 26/10/2025
You may like
Boxing
The Shakur Stevenson vs. Devin Haney fight is in the works, but there is one major issue standing in the way
Published
1 hour agoon
April 28, 2026
Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney are reportedly in talks for an all-American superfight.
Haney won titles in three weight classes and was undisputed at lightweight. Most recently he defeated Brian Norman Jr. for the WBO welterweight world title.
Both men have impressed in their recent wins and are widely considered two of the most technically elite fighters in the sport today. A fight between the two has been discussed for a long time, and The Ring’s Mike Coppinger reported that it could now become a reality if one key hurdle can be overcome – an agreed weight limit.
Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson are in preliminary talks to fight @MikeCoppinger revealed on @InsideRingShow.
Weight agreements are currently holding up discussions.#InsideTheRing | The latest episode available on DAZN 📺 pic.twitter.com/eb1fG2269a
— InsideRingShow (@InsideRingShow) April 27, 2026
This problem is not effortless to solve and may prove too stern for negotiations to overcome. Haney said he felt best at welterweight and looked exhausted at super lightweight. Stevenson argues that his opponent faced Jose Ramirez at the 144-pound catchweight last year and could do the same again. While Haney handled the weight well and performed well on the night, there is no doubt he would have been at a disadvantage.
Stevenson, however, argued that he is still a natural lightweight – even though he looks comfortable against Lopez at 140 pounds – and that a meeting under the welterweight limit creates a more even playing field.
Time will tell whether this can be agreed behind the scenes. A significant amount could assist move things forward, but given their undefeated records, pound-for-pound status and position as the face of American boxing, both Stevenson and Haney will be cautious in making decisions.
Boxing
David Benavidez says his speed will be too much for Ramirez
Published
3 hours agoon
April 27, 2026
David Benavidez doesn’t think size alone will decide his fight against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. Ahead of the cruiserweight title clash, Benavidez says the advantage will come down to speed, combinations and a style that he feels Ramirez hasn’t faced before.
Benavidez said Ramirez is a bigger man and is used to facing naturally bigger opponents in the cruiserweight division, but he doesn’t see it as a problem. He believes the slower pace typical of this weight will work to his advantage once the punches start falling.
Benavidez said Ramirez has never faced someone like him in an official fight. Although both have sparred in the past, Benavidez has made it clear that he sees a major difference between rounds in the gym and fighting him under the lights for twelve rounds.
“There are a lot of opportunities to hit him with a lot of combinations because he is slower,” Benavidez told Double3 Coverage. “My speed, my movement and my defense will be too much for him and I will surely overwhelm and drown him with pressure and volume.”
It’s compelling that he so casually disregards the size difference. While Zurdo Ramirez is a natural cruiserweight and holds the unified WBA/WBO titles, Benavidez is betting that speed and volume will be the universal equalizer.
Benavidez sounds like a man who thinks he’s found a flaw in the system. Moving up to cruiserweight, he believes his hand speed will be a blur compared to fighters in the 200-pound division. But here comes the fear of a massacre.
He already says this is “his era.” When a fighter begins to look beyond a unified champion like Ramirez toward a September coronation or a legacy-defining run, he usually leaves his chin exposed.
On the other hand, bookmakers do not predict a massacre, at least not in the case of Benavidez. There’s a reason he’s a -600 favorite. Most analysts believe he is just unique enough that his volume will break Zurdo’s rhythm before the size difference becomes a factor.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reports focus on the most vital fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter
Related boxing news:
Last updated: 27/04/2026 at 22:41
Boxing
Shakur Stevenson responds to reports that he is in talks to face Devin Haney next
Published
5 hours agoon
April 27, 2026
Shakur Stevenson has hit the brakes following reports that he is in preliminary talks to fight Devin Haney.
Both elite Americans have claims to pound-for-pound status, both boast undefeated records and are considered among the most defensively gifted operators of the contemporary era.
However, a weight class or two has always separated them, and Haney’s recent move to welterweight – a division Stevenson says he can get to but is in no rush – seemed to make that fight less likely.
To make that happen, Stevenson said he would like Haney to agree to a catchweight of 144 pounds, the same limit he reached when defeating Jose Ramirez in 2025.
Today, The Ring’s Mike Coppinger reported that discussions had already begun, but the weight was a sticking point, with Stevenson likely still insisting on the stipulation, but Haney was keen on staying at 147 pounds.
However, Stevenson has now responded to Coppinger’s claim by speaking further X that there was no contact between the teams.
“I know the fans like to get excited and can toy with you all and easily manipulate you, but this rumor is dead for the second time. I haven’t heard a word about it, [I don’t know] what are they? [trying to] hide or hide, but me and my team haven’t heard any nonsense.”
It’s unclear where Haney and Stevenson will go next Haney is reportedly considering a move to Zuffa Boxing and Stevenson are still deciding which division to compete in.
For now, it seems any excitement about their meeting on the ropes is premature.
The Shakur Stevenson vs. Devin Haney fight is in the works, but there is one major issue standing in the way
Eddie Hearn responds to the announcement of the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight with three words
David Benavidez says his speed will be too much for Ramirez
Trending
-
Opinions & Features1 year agoPacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
-
MMA1 year agoDmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
-
Results1 year agoStephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
-
Results1 year agoKeyshawn Davis Ko’s Berinchyk, when Xander Zayas moves to 21-0
-
Video1 year agoFrank Warren on Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin – ‘I THOUGHT OTTO WOULD GIVE DEREK PROBLEMS!’
-
Analysis1 year agoRobert Garcia discusses the debate on the greatest Mexican warrior in history
-
Video1 year ago‘DEREK CHISORA RETIRE TONIGHT!’ – Anthony Yarde PLEADS for retirement after WALLIN
-
Results1 year agoLive: Catterall vs Barboza results and results card



