Hamzah Sheeraz managed to edge out a narrow points victory on Saturday, while fellow British pugilist Josh Kelly overcame a frightening cut on his nose to claim a unanimous decision win on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua versus Kristian Prenga bout in Saudi Arabia. The London-born Sheeraz, who previously captured his inaugural 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 contest was tightly contested, and the arena erupted with boos as the judges tallied the scores. In the end, the official cards read 114‑114, 115‑113 and 116‑112, all in favour of Sheeraz, who later posed with Jacob Bank in the centre of the ring to celebrate his hard‑earned win.
"I am a champion in this division. I know people are chomping at the bit after my performance," Sheeraz declared, his confidence evident. He added that he would be ringside on October 31 to watch Saul "Canelo" Alvarez challenge for Christian Mbilli's WBC belt, a fight he plans to study closely. "I got the win, that's all that matters.
I could make a million excuses, but I will be better in my 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," he continued, acknowledging that the close decision highlighted areas for improvement. Sheeraz's victory, though narrow, positions him among the rising contenders in the super‑middleweight ranks. Analysts suggest that a future bout against a top‑tier opponent—perhaps a rematch with a former champion or a clash with a rising star—could cement his status and provide the testing ground he desires. His remarks about watching Canelo indicate a strategic approach: studying the Mexican legend's style and tactics to prepare for potential high‑profile matchups down the line.
In a separate fight on the same card, Josh Kelly demonstrated resilience and grit. The British boxer, nicknamed "Pretty Boy," endured a horrific gash to his nose after an accidental head clash in the 11th round with Irish challenger Caoimhin Agyarko. Despite the bloodied visage and the pain of a deep cut, Kelly maintained composure and secured a unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the bout 115‑112, 115‑112 and 114‑113 in his favour. "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," Kelly said in the post‑fight interview. 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." Kelly's victory positions him as a strong candidate for a showdown with unified 154‑pound champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis. Promoter Eddie Hearn, who manages both Kelly and Ennis, hinted that a clash 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." Both fighters demonstrated the high stakes and drama that characterize modern boxing. Sheeraz's narrow win underscores the fine margins at the elite level, while Kelly's ability to fight through a severe cut illustrates the toughness required to succeed.
Their respective ambitions—Sheeraz eyeing future marquee matchups after studying Canelo, and Kelly targeting a unification bout with Ennis—highlight the strategic career planning that goes beyond the immediate fight night. Beyond the two headline performances, the event also featured other notable bouts, including Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, both slated to air live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Fans can stream these fights and additional sporting content contract‑free via NOW, ensuring broader access to the sport's latest action. In summary, Saturday's Saudi Arabia card delivered a mix of close decisions, dramatic injuries, and future‑shaping statements.
Hamzah Sheeraz's razor‑thin victory over Simon Zachenhuber not only added another win to his record but also set the stage for potential high‑profile clashes as he watches Canelo's upcoming fight. Meanwhile, Josh Kelly's perseverance through a nasty nose cut earned him a unanimous decision and opened the door to a possible unification showdown with Jaron Ennis. Both athletes have signaled that they are hungry for bigger challenges, and the boxing world will be watching closely as their careers unfold.