British boxing sensation Hamzah Sheeraz made a resounding statement in his super middleweight debut on Saturday night, delivering a dominant fifth-round knockout victory over Edgar Berlanga at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. This emphatic win not only solidified Sheeraz’s impressive record but also significantly elevated his standing in the boxing world, positioning him as a leading candidate for a highly anticipated showdown with undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez in 2026, as previously hinted by boxing financier Turki Alalshikh. Yahoo Sports and USA Today reported on the dramatic outcome.
The highly anticipated main event saw Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) face a formidable challenge in Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs), a fighter previously known for his remarkable streak of 16 consecutive first-round knockouts at the start of his career. However, it was Sheeraz who showcased superior power and precision throughout their clash. The fight, which served as a WBC title eliminator, saw both fighters engage early, but Sheeraz began to assert control. In the fourth round, Sheeraz landed a powerful left hook that visibly rocked Berlanga. A subsequent three-punch combination sent the Puerto Rican fighter to the canvas for the first time. Though Berlanga bravely rose, Sheeraz continued his assault, dropping him again before the bell mercifully sounded to end the round, saving Berlanga from an immediate stoppage. USA Today and Yahoo Sports provided detailed round-by-round accounts.
Carrying his momentum into the fifth round, Sheeraz wasted no time. Just 17 seconds into the round, another devastating three-punch combination sent Berlanga down for a third time, prompting referee David Fields to halt the contest, securing a decisive knockout victory for Sheeraz. This marked Berlanga’s second career loss and, notably, his first by knockout, a feat even Canelo Alvarez couldn’t achieve in his unanimous decision victory over Berlanga last September. Yahoo Sports highlighted this significant detail.
The win is particularly significant for Sheeraz, who recently transitioned to the super middleweight division due to weight issues, following a split draw against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames on February 22, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His dominant performance against Berlanga, a former world title challenger, has now made him the mandatory challenger for the WBC Super Middleweight Championship. Wikipedia and USA Today confirmed his new status. Pre-fight tensions were high, with both fighters exchanging verbal jabs at the kick-off press conference, adding an extra layer of anticipation to their clash, as noted by Wikipedia.
In the co-main event, Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) successfully defended his WBC lightweight title against a relentless William Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs). Stevenson, who has previously faced criticism for his defensive and sometimes unexciting style, delivered a performance that silenced doubters. The Newark, New Jersey native showcased a more aggressive approach, holding his ground and trading blows with Zepeda, a departure from his usual movement-heavy strategy. While Zepeda maintained a high punch volume, Stevenson’s accuracy and ability to land meaningful counters were evident throughout the 12-round bout. Despite a hard right hand from Zepeda in the third round that briefly troubled Stevenson, the champion largely dominated, securing a wide unanimous decision with scorecards reading 118-110, 118-110, and 119-109. ESPN and USA Today provided comprehensive coverage of Stevenson’s performance.
The stacked card also featured other compelling matchups. Subriel Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) claimed the WBC super lightweight title with a controversial majority decision victory over Alberto Puello (24-1, 10 KOs). Matias is now slated to defend his newly acquired title against Britain’s unbeaten Dalton Smith on November 22, on the undercard of David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde in Riyadh. Additionally, David Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) overcame a fifth-round knockdown to secure a contentious split decision win against Imam Khataev (10-1, 9 KOs) in their light heavyweight slugfest, a fight many are calling an early contender for ‘Fight of the Night’. Yahoo Sports and USA Today covered these undercard bouts.
Overall, the event in Queens delivered a night of high-stakes boxing, with Hamzah Sheeraz’s explosive victory stealing the headlines and setting the stage for a potentially career-defining fight against boxing’s biggest name. The performances across the card underscore the depth of talent in boxing’s lighter and middleweight divisions, promising an exciting future for the sport.
