Hamzah Sheeraz managed to cling onto a slim points victory on Saturday, while fellow British boxer Josh Kelly battled through a nasty nose cut to claim a unanimous decision on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua versus Kristian Prenga event in Saudi Arabia. The London native, Sheeraz, who previously captured his first world title by stopping Alem Begic in the second round to claim the vacant WBO super‑middleweight crown in Egypt, faced Germany's Simon Zachenhuber in a 12‑round showdown.
The fight concluded amid a chorus of boos from the crowd, and the judges' scorecards read 114‑114, 115‑113 and 116‑112 in favor of Sheeraz. After the decision, he posed in the ring alongside Jacob Bank, celebrating his hard‑earned win. "I am a champion in this division.
I'm sure people are chomping at the bit after my performance," Sheeraz declared, adding that he plans to sit ringside on October 31 to watch Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez challenge Christian Mbilli for the WBC title. "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 reveal a fighter who is already looking beyond his current triumph, eager to test himself against elite opposition.
By targeting the upcoming Canelo‑Mbilli clash, he signals his ambition to move up the ladder and secure a high‑profile bout that could elevate his profile on the global stage. The narrow nature of the decision also underscores the need for him to sharpen his focus and avoid complacency when the stakes rise.
In the same event, Josh Kelly endured a gruesome gash to his nose after an accidental head clash in the 11th round, yet he still managed to outpoint Irish challenger Caoimhin Agyarko and retain his IBF light‑middleweight title. The bout ended with the judges scoring it 115‑112, 115‑112 and 114‑113 for Kelly, confirming his dominance despite the blood‑splattered aftermath.
Nicknamed "Pretty Boy," Kelly emerged from the fight with his face heavily bruised and a split nose, a testament to the physical toll of the encounter. He addressed the incident calmly, saying, "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, meanwhile, expressed disappointment but maintained respect for his opponent: "I thought I won it, but if it’s not good enough for the judges, I accept that.
I’m heart‑broken; I wanted to make history. Josh Kelly is a class act, but I think he underestimated me a bit." Looking ahead, Kelly voiced a clear ambition: he wants to face unified 154‑pound champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who manages both Kelly and Ennis, confirmed that a showdown 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 broader context of the night included other notable moments: a tribute from Joshua to friends lost in a tragic crash, a reminder to tune into the Toe2Toe podcast for weekly boxing analysis, and a preview of upcoming Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event coverage featuring Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, slated for Sunday night. Both Sheeraz and Kelly demonstrated resilience and a hunger for greater challenges.
Sheeraz’s narrow win, while controversial among the spectators, still positions him as a legitimate contender in the super‑middleweight division, especially as he eyes a potential clash with Canelo Alvarez—an encounter that could catapult his career to new heights. Meanwhile, Kelly’s ability to persevere through a severe cut and still secure a unanimous decision showcases his toughness and strategic acumen, qualities that will serve him well should a high‑stakes unification bout with Ennis materialize. In summary, the Saudi Arabian undercard delivered drama, blood, and decisive outcomes. Sheeraz escaped with a razor‑thin points victory, promising to sharpen his game and aim for the biggest stage in boxing.
Kelly, despite a horrifying nose injury, proved his mettle and set his sights on a lucrative, high‑profile fight against a fellow champion. Fans can anticipate further developments as both fighters navigate the next steps in their respective journeys, with potential marquee match‑ups that could reshape the landscape of their weight classes.