Hamzah Sheeraz managed to cling onto a razor‑thin points victory on Saturday, while fellow British contender Josh Kelly fought 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 belt 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 favour of Sheeraz.
After the decision, the champion posed for photos with Jacob Bank inside the ring, flashing a grin that hinted at his confidence. "I’m the champion of this division now. I’m sure people are chomping at the bit after my performance," Sheeraz declared, his voice echoing through the arena. He added that he would be ringside on October 31 to watch Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez challenge Christian Mbilli for the WBC super‑middleweight crown.
"I got the win, that’s all that matters. I could make a million excuses, but I’ll be better in my next fight.
I need a step‑up now, someone who will give me a mental challenge. I was switching off at times, too comfortable when there wasn’t a real threat in front of me," he explained, acknowledging that the narrow margin left him hungry for tougher opposition. Meanwhile, in the same event, Josh Kelly endured a dramatic, blood‑splattering moment when the two fighters’ heads collided in the eleventh round, leaving Kelly with a gaping cut across his nose.
Despite the horror gash, the British boxer pressed on and secured a unanimous decision over Irish challenger Caoimhin Agyarko in an IBF light‑middleweight title bout. The judges’ cards read 115‑112, 115‑112 and 114‑113 in favour of Kelly, confirming his dominance despite the physical setback. Kelly, nicknamed “Pretty Boy,” addressed the post‑fight press conference with characteristic humility.
"I told Caoimhin, don’t see this as a loss, see it as a learning experience. If he wants it badly enough, he’ll bounce back," he said, offering words of encouragement to 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." After the bout, Kelly expressed his ambition to test himself against 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 possibility. "He’s defended his title, and before the next mandatory defence comes around, you start looking at those big‑money fights and rolling the dice," Hearn explained. "I think a fight with ‘Boots’ Ennis is the logical next step.
If I were Josh Kelly, I’d be eyeing that massive payday in America against Ennis. It could be a three‑belt unification bout, possibly involving WBC champion Sebastian Fundora and others." The night’s action did not end there. Fans were reminded of upcoming events, including the Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler clash and the Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas bout, both slated to take place in New York.
These fights will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 p.m. on Sunday. Viewers can also stream boxing and a host of other sports without a contract through the NOW platform.
In addition to the fights themselves, the evening featured ancillary stories that added depth to the boxing world. Joshua posted a heartfelt tribute to friends who lost their lives in a tragic crash, underscoring the personal side of the sport.
Meanwhile, the popular Toe2Toe podcast released its latest episode, offering listeners a weekly roundup of the most compelling boxing highlights and video moments. Overall, the Saudi Arabian undercard delivered a blend of drama, resilience, and future intrigue.
Sheeraz’s narrow win highlighted the fine margins that separate victory from defeat at the highest level, while Kelly’s ability to persevere through a severe facial injury demonstrated the warrior spirit inherent in elite boxers. Both champions now have clear pathways forward: Sheeraz eyes the Canelo showdown later this year, and Kelly sets his sights on a lucrative unification bout with Jaron Ennis. As the sport continues to evolve, fans can expect more high‑stakes match‑ups, compelling narratives, and the ever‑present possibility of new champions emerging from unexpected corners of the globe.