Hamzah Sheeraz managed to cling onto a razor‑thin points victory on Saturday, and Josh Kelly battled through a gruesome nose cut to claim a unanimous decision on the Anthony Joshua versus Kristian Prenga undercard in Saudi Arabia. The London‑born Sheeraz, who previously captured his first world title with a second‑round stoppage of Alem Begic 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 three judges rendered scores of 114‑114, 115‑113 and 116‑112, all in favor of Sheeraz.
After the decision, Sheeraz posed with Jacob Bank in the centre of the ring, flashing a triumphant smile. "I am a champion in this division. I’m sure people are chomping at the bit after my performance," Sheeraz declared, his confidence unmistakable. He added that he would be sitting ringside on October 31 to watch Saul "Canelo" Alvarez take on Christian Mbilli for the WBC belt, a fight he said he was eager to witness.
"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 present a mental challenge.
I was switching off at times, too comfortable when there was no real threat in front of me," he reflected, acknowledging that the narrow margin left room for improvement. Meanwhile, in the same event, Josh Kelly overcame a dramatic and bloody injury to his nose to secure a unanimous points victory over Irish contender Caoimhin Agyarko in an IBF light‑middleweight title bout. The fight, held in the desert arena of Saudi Arabia, saw the two men clash heads in the eleventh round, leaving Kelly’s face a mess of blood and swelling.
Despite the horror gash, Kelly persisted and earned the judges’ favor with scores of 115‑112, 115‑112 and 114‑113. "I told Caoimhin, don’t take it as a loss, take it as a learning experience.
If he wants it badly enough, he will bounce back," Kelly said after the bout, showing sportsmanship toward his opponent. Agyarko, visibly disappointed, replied, "I thought I won it, but if the judges didn’t see it that way, I accept it.
I’m heart‑broken; I wanted to make history. Josh Kelly is a class act, but I think he underestimated me a bit. Listen, it will come. I will be the first Black Irish world champion, there’s no doubt about that." Kelly’s next ambition, as he explained, is to challenge the unified 154‑pound champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who manages both Kelly and Ennis, confirmed that a showdown between the two in the United States is now a realistic prospect. "He’s had a defense of the title and before that mandatory comes again. You really want to be looking at those big‑money fights and trying to roll the dice," Hearn noted. "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 would be a three‑belt unification fight, potentially involving WBC champion Sebastian Fundora and others." The night’s action did not end there. Fans were also reminded of upcoming events, including the highly anticipated match‑up between Edgar Berlanga and Steven Butler, as well as Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, both slated for a live broadcast on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Viewers can stream the fights and a host of other sporting events contract‑free via the NOW platform. Beyond the immediate results, the evening highlighted several broader narratives in the sport. Sheeraz’s narrow win underscores the fine margins that often separate victory from defeat at the elite level, and his comments about needing a tougher mental test hint at a possible future clash with higher‑profile opponents, perhaps even a bout on the undercard of the Canelo‑Mbilli showdown he plans to watch. Meanwhile, Kelly’s resilience in the face of a severe cut demonstrates the gritty determination that defines successful boxers, and his expressed desire to face Ennis points to a potential unification bout that could reshape the light‑middleweight landscape.
Both fighters also illustrated the global nature of modern boxing. Sheeraz, a British fighter, captured his first world title in Egypt and now competes in the Middle East, while Kelly, also a Brit, fought an Irish opponent on Saudi soil. Their stories reflect how the sport has expanded beyond traditional strongholds, with promoters like Eddie Hearn leveraging international venues to stage high‑stakes contests.
Looking ahead, the boxing community will be watching closely to see if Sheeraz can secure a more decisive win in his next outing and whether Kelly can secure that coveted bout with Ennis. Both athletes have expressed a hunger for bigger challenges and larger paydays, and the upcoming months promise to deliver match‑ups that could fulfill those ambitions. In summary, Saturday’s event delivered a mix of narrow victories, dramatic injuries, and future‑looking statements.
Sheeraz’s split‑decision win, though contested by some in the arena, positions him as a champion eager for tougher opposition. Kelly’s triumph over Agyarko, achieved despite a frightening facial injury, showcases his toughness and sets the stage for a potential unification clash with Jaron Ennis. Fans can look forward to more high‑profile fights, including the Canelo‑Mbilli showdown and the upcoming Sky Sports broadcasts, ensuring that the excitement in the boxing world continues to build.