Hamzah Sheeraz managed to edge out a narrow points victory, while Josh Kelly battled through a nasty cut on his nose to claim a unanimous decision on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua versus Kristian Prenga event in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. The London‑born Sheeraz, who previously captured his first world title by stopping Alem Begic in the second round to claim the vacant WBO super‑middleweight championship in Egypt, faced Germany's Simon Zachenhuber in a 12‑round showdown.
The bout concluded amid a chorus of boos from the crowd, and the judges' scorecards read 114‑114, 115‑113 and 116‑112 in favour of Sheeraz. After the decision, Sheeraz celebrated in the ring alongside Jacob Bank.
"I am a champion in this division. I'm sure people are champing at the bit after my performance," Sheeraz declared, adding that he will be sitting ringside on October 31 to watch Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez challenge Christian Mbilli for the WBC belt. "I got the win, that's all that matters.
I could make a million excuses, but I’ll be better in the next fight. I need a step‑up now, someone who will mentally present a challenge.
I was switching off at times, I was too comfortable when I didn’t have a threat in front of me." Sheeraz's comments reflect a fighter who is hungry for higher‑profile opposition. After a win that was far from spectacular, he is already looking beyond the immediate aftermath, eyeing the heavyweight showdown that will feature Canelo Alvarez. The prospect of watching that bout from the front row underscores his ambition to stay relevant in the sport’s biggest conversations. In a separate bout on the same card, British boxer Josh Kelly overcame a gruesome gash to his nose to secure a unanimous points win over Irish contender Caoimhin Agyarko in an IBF light‑middleweight title contest.
The fight, which took place in Saudi Arabia, saw Kelly endure a head clash in the 11th round that left his face bloodied and his nose badly cut. Despite the physical damage, Kelly maintained enough control to win on the judges' cards, which read 115‑112, 115‑112 and 114‑113.
Kelly, nicknamed "Pretty Boy," addressed the incident after the fight: "I told Caoimhin, don't take it as a loss, take it as a learning experience. If he wants it bad enough, he will bounce back." Agyarko, visibly disappointed, responded, "I thought I won it, but if it’s not good enough for the judges, I accept that. I’m heartbroken, I wanted to make history. Josh Kelly is a class act, but I think he underestimated me a bit there.
Listen, it will come. I will be the first Black Irish world champion, there’s no doubt about that." Following his victory, Kelly expressed a desire to test himself against unified 154‑pound champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who manages both Kelly and Ennis, indicated that a clash between the two in the United States is now a realistic possibility. "He’s had a defence of the title and before that mandatory comes again, really you want to be looking at those big‑money fights and trying to roll the dice," Hearn explained. "I think that comes with 'Boots' Ennis.
If I’m Josh Kelly I’m looking at the big payday out in America against 'Boots' Ennis. It’s a three‑belt unification fight. [WBC champion] Sebastian Fundora, all those guys." The night also featured other notable moments.
A headline about Fury’s continued pursuit of a bout with Anthony Joshua reminded fans that heavyweight rivalries remain a driving force in boxing. Meanwhile, Joshua posted a heartfelt tribute to friends who were tragically killed in a crash, highlighting the personal side of the sport’s larger-than-life personalities.
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Overall, the Saudi Arabian card delivered drama, determination, and a glimpse into the future ambitions of rising stars like Sheeraz and Kelly. Both fighters demonstrated resilience—Sheeraz by navigating a contentious decision and Kelly by fighting through a severe facial injury.
Their statements indicate a clear desire to climb the ladder, seek tougher opponents, and secure lucrative, high‑profile matchups that could define the next chapter of their careers. As the boxing world looks ahead to upcoming title unifications and marquee showdowns, the performances in Riyadh serve as a reminder that talent can emerge from any corner of the globe, and that the sport’s narrative is constantly being rewritten by those willing to fight, adapt, and aim higher.