Hamzah Sheeraz: Briton withdraws from subsequent proposed bout & offers up WBO super-middleweight title
Hamzah Sheeraz has withdrawn from a proposed bout with Janibek Alimkhanuly and relinquished his WBO super-middleweight title, the sanctioning physique has confirmed.
The British fighter was mandated by the organisation to face the Kazakhstan boxer, who’s the WBO’s primary challenger for the title.
A handbag bid was held on Thursday for the best to host the bout, which Sheeraz’s promoters Queensberry gained with a bid of $1,001,809 (£747,903). Top Rank have been the one different bidders, however fell quick with their $850,000 (£634, 569) supply.
The British promoters had deliberate to stage the bout on both 28 November or 5 December with London, Birmingham and New York proposed areas.
But the WBO confirmed on Friday night time Sheeraz, 27, had withdrawn from the bout.
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri posted on X: “The WBO confirms that Queensberry Promotions has formally notified in writing that Hamzah Sheeraz, per the phrases ensuing from the purse bid proceedings regarding his obligatory obligation towards Janibek Alimkhanuly, has elected to not proceed with the obligatory and has voluntarily relinquished his WBO super-middleweight globe championship.
“The WBO acknowledges and respects the choice of Hamzah and his staff.
“The WBO doorways will all the time stay open to him, and we sincerely want Hamzah and his staff all the easiest and continued success shifting ahead.
“The WBO World Championship Committee will render the relevant ruling on Monday, September 21, relating to the standing of the WBO super-middleweight globe championship and the division shifting ahead.”
Sheeraz’s supervisor Spencer Brown has been contacted for remark.
Alimkhanuly’s supervisor Egis Klimas claimed on X earlier on Friday that Sheeraz had withdrawn from the bout.
He posted: “Ha, I used to be proper, when you scared yesterday, you scared immediately and you can be scared tomorrow. Couple issues you may’t practice in boxing, chin and scariness. Been knowledgeable Hamzah Sheeraz has vacated WBO title. What ashamed! [sic]”
Sheeraz, who has a file of 24 wins and one draw, gained the super-middleweight title when he beat Alem Begic in May, earlier than defending it towards Simon Zachenhuber in July.
Alimkhanuly’s place for the title has been controversial. Last December, simply earlier than a defence of the WBO and IBF middleweight titles, the 33-year-old returned a optimistic check for meldonium.
He was suspended for a 12 months by the WBO in February however they allowed him to retain their title, whereas the IBF stripped him of theirs.
However, in July the WBO terminated his suspension early and put in Alimkhanuly as obligatory challenger at super-middleweight for Sheeraz’s title.
“I believe it is a joke. I believe what the WBO has carried out right here is disgraceful to the game of boxing as effectively,” Sheeraz advised The Ariel Helwani Show in August.
