Hamzah Sheeraz emphatically stopped Edgar Berlanga in round four of their 12-round super middleweight bout at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Flushing, Queens, New York
In round four, Sheeraz dropped Berlanga with a hard three punch combination that punctuated by a left to the head. Seconds later, it was two vicious head shots that put Berlanga on his back. Seconds into round five, Sheeraz landed a couple more hard shots to the head the doubled over Berlanga and the fight was stopped at 17 seconds.
Sheeraz, 167.8 lbs of Ilford Essex, ENG is 22-0-1 with 18 knockouts. Berlanga, 167.6 lbs of Lithia, FL via Brooklyn is 23-2.
“Whoever was in the ring with me tonight, there was no stopping me,” Sheeraz said at the end of the night. “After my last fight (against Carlos Adames), the amount of abuse I got on social media and in person—I understand it’s part of boxing—but it made me a hungrier fighter.”
Sheeraz worked with a new trainer for this bout, former middleweight champion Andy Lee, who he credited with aiding him in tonight’s win. “A massive thank you to Andy Lee, a man who put his faith and trust in me. In the first few rounds, I was losing them. I told him I can hunt this guy down and he believed me. Not many coaches do that, so Andy, thank you very much.”
“Canelo has always been a boxing hero of mine, so even for my name to be mentioned in the same sentence as his is a great achievement in and of itself,” said Sheeraz. “If I do get the opportunity to fight him, it won’t be one of those where I try to nick him on points. I will stand in the middle with him and have it out. Whoever lands first, I suppose, will knock out the other.”
Stevenson Decisions Zepeda to Retain Lightweight Title
Shakur Stevenson retained the WBC Lightweight title as he pounded out a 12-round unanimous decision over William Zepeda.
Zepeda made Stevenson show a different side of him as he was able to stand toe-to-toe with Zepeda. Zepeda pushed the action and at times backed Stevenson to the ropes. But Stevenson countered beautifully off the ropes. Zepeda landed punches, but Stevenson was able to land punch for punch and was alot more economical and precise with his punches.
Stevenson, 135 lbs of Newark, NJ won by scores of 119-109 and 118-110 twice and is now 24-0. Zepeda, 134.8 lbs of San Mateo, MEX is 33-1.
“It wasn’t the performance I was looking for, because I was trying to prove a point. I was trying to fight, so I took more punishment than usual. At the end of the day, I do whatever it takes to get the job done,” Stevenson remarked following the bout. “I’ve got that dog in me. I’m not no puppy. I’m not a poodle. I’m a tough guy. I’ve got dog in me.” (See video HERE)
“That was one of the toughest fighters at 135 lbs. I want a lot of people to get in the ring with him and see how tough he is. He pushed me to another level,” Stevenson said of Zepeda. “I had to go in my bag. He just kept coming. He tried to pin me against the ropes so I had to switch it up and not sit against the ropes too long.”
When asked who may be next on his list, Stevenson welcomed all challengers while noting he plans to keep leveling up his game. “Whoever. I want to go back to the drawing board, work on my game a little bit. Get physically stronger and when I come back, I’ll be even better.”
Matias Decisions Puello in Barnburner to Win Super Lightweight Title
Subriel Matias became a two-time world champion with a majority decision over Alberto Puello to win the WBC Super Lightweight title in high-action, high-contact fight.
The fight was fought at close quarters with Matias walking forward and throwing his customary high volume work rate. Puello was very effective counterpunching and
In round five, Matias was cut over his left eye. Matias and Puello battled down the stretch but the judges preferred the volume of Matias to the tune of 115-113 twice and 114-114.
Matias landed 255 766 punches; Puello was 267 of 735
Matias, 140 lbs of Fajardo, PR is now 23-2. Puello, 139.8 lbs of Las Vegas via Dominican Republic is 24-1.
After the decision was announced, top contender Dalton Smith entered the ring and a fight with Matias was announced for November 22nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“When I lost (to Liam Paro) in 2024, a lot of people laughed at me, but I told them I would come back and be a world champion once again and here it is.”
David Morrell Gets Decision over Khataev
In a 10-round war, David Morrell won a razor thin split decision over Imam Khataev in a light heavyweight bout.
In round two, Morrell started swelling around his right eye. Khataev was cut over his right eye. In round five, Khataev began to bleed from his nose. Late in the round, Khataev uncorked an overhand right that put Morrell on the canvas.
Khataev hurt Morrell on several occasions. Morrell made a late flurry late that won him the fight as he won by scores of 96-93 and 95-94 and Khataev took a 95-94 talley.
Morrell, 174.8 lbs of Santa Clara, CUB us 12-1. Khataevm 174.8 lbs of Sydney, AUS vis Russia is 10-1.
When asked about the potential of a rematch with Khataev, Morrell welcomed the challenge. “Why not? It was a great fight. I don’t say no to a rematch. If the people say they want a rematch and they liked the fight, I don’t say no to anybody. I’m ready. I don’t care.”
Tsutsumi Stops Ruiz in 2
Reito Tsutsumi stopped Michael Ruiz in round two of their four-round lightweight bout.
In round one, Tsutumi dropped Ruiz with a right to the body. Ruiz was dropped again with another body shot. Early in round two, Tsutsumi dropped Ruiz with a straight left and the fight was stopped at 28 seconds.
Tsutsumi, 134.6 lbs of Tokyo is now 2-0 with one knockout. Ruiz, 134.8 lbs of Lacey Township, NJ is 2-8-1.
