Hamzah Sheeraz managed to edge out a narrow points victory on Saturday, a night that also featured a dramatic comeback from Josh Kelly, who fought through a severe cut on his nose during the Anthony Joshua versus Kristian Prenga undercard in Saudi Arabia. The London‑born contender, 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 bout that proved far more contentious.
The fight concluded amid a chorus of boos from the crowd, and the judges' scorecards reflected a split view: 114‑114, 115‑113, and 116‑112, all in favor of Sheeraz. After the decision, Sheeraz celebrated in the ring alongside Jacob Bank, a moment that captured the mixture of relief and determination on his face. "I am a champion in the division. I'm sure people are champing at the bit after [my] performance," Sheeraz declared, his voice echoing the confidence that has driven his rapid ascent.
He added that he will be ringside on October 31 to watch Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez challenge Christian Mbilli for the WBC belt, a fight he described as a personal benchmark. "I got the win, that's all that matters. I could make a million excuses.
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," he said, acknowledging that the narrow margin exposed areas for improvement. Meanwhile, in the same Saudi Arabian venue, Josh Kelly overcame a gruesome gash to his nose to secure a unanimous decision over Irish challenger Caoimhin Agyarko in an IBF Light‑Middleweight title contest. The fight took a dramatic turn in the 11th round when the two boxers clashed heads, leaving Kelly with a blood‑splattered face that resembled a war wound.
Despite the visual horror, Kelly maintained composure and did enough to convince the judges, who scored the bout 115‑112, 115‑112, and 114‑113 in his favor. Kelly, nicknamed "Pretty Boy," addressed the post‑fight press conference with humility and encouragement for his opponent.
"I told Caoimhin, don't take it as a loss, take it as a learning. If he wants it bad enough, he will bounce back," Kelly said. 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 clear ambition: a showdown with unified 154‑pound champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who manages both Kelly and Ennis, confirmed that a clash in the United States is now a realistic prospect. "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. He added, "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 evening also featured other notable moments in the boxing world. In related news, Fury secured another win that keeps him on track for a potential bout with Anthony Joshua, while Joshua posted a heartfelt tribute to friends who lost their lives in a recent crash, underscoring the personal challenges athletes often face beyond the ring. For fans eager to stay up‑to‑date, the Toe2Toe podcast continues to deliver weekly analysis, and the best boxing highlights and videos are readily available across streaming platforms.
Upcoming events include the Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler clash and the Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas fight, both slated for a live broadcast on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 p.m. on Sunday. Viewers can also stream boxing and a wide range of sports contract‑free with NOW, ensuring that the excitement of the sport remains accessible to a global audience.
Overall, the night highlighted the resilience and ambition of two rising stars. Sheeraz, despite a razor‑thin decision, demonstrated that he can survive pressure and is eager to test himself against the very best, eyeing Canelo Alvarez as the next benchmark.
Kelly, bruised but unbeaten, showed that he can endure physical adversity while keeping his eye on a unification bout that could catapult him into the elite tier of the 154‑pound division. Both fighters have signaled that their journeys are far from over, promising fans more thrilling contests in the months ahead.