Hamzah Sheeraz has blasted Chris Eubank Jr for ducking a fight against him at Wembley Stadium as the middleweight star looks to take another step in securing ‘superstar’ status.
Sheeraz has developed into a devastating force in the 160lbs ranks, knocking out his last 14 opponents with victories over Liam Willams and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams this year placing him among the very best in the division.
Hopes of a title shot against WBC champion Carlos Adames were derailed by a hand injury with the Ilford fighter, now based out in Los Angeles, set to take on Tyler Denny in the chief support for Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois in the capital this weekend.
European champion Denny is one of the most in-form middleweights in the country, coming off two superb wins of his own. But Eubank Jr was the man originally targeted for Saturday’s card with Sheeraz eager to deliver a fight British boxing fans have been demanding.
‘The Eubank Jr fight isn’t one I started talking about, it is one the fans have been talking about and calling for,’ Sheeraz told Metro.co.uk.
‘The money he wanted was all there on the table and then all of a sudden he goes, “Nah, I want more if I am fighting Hamzah.”
‘I think he is seeing it as there is nothing in it for him. But the public are calling for it so I have got to be doing something right.
‘My career doesn’t depend on him. He is not someone I have to chase. But I am here to deliver that for the boxing fans. Especially when all these great fights are happening all over the world, in Saudi, Los Angeles, Las Vegas. Why not come back to the UK for this show and give the fight fans are demanding?
‘Tyler is my focus right now and respect to him. I have got to focus on my path to that world title and we will get him [Eubank Jr] eventually, I’m certain of it.’
Eubank Jr has been one of the biggest names in British boxing for a number of years and at a time, the Sheeraz fight may not have made sense. It would have represented huge risk and little reward both financially and in terms of his reputation against a fighter who was still relatively unknown among more casual boxing fans. That is rapidly changing however with Sheeraz’s destructive wins earning him the recognition his performances have merited.
In another perplexing development, Eubank Jr will return to the ring next month to fight Poland’s Kamil Szeremeta, an obscure name who has fought just five times outside his homeland in his 29 professional fights. The fight takes place on another huge card headlined by the undisputed thriller between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol but Eubank’s choice of opponent leaves a lot to be desired.
‘In the past, there has been the argument “Hamzah isn’t a bigger draw:” But then all of a sudden he’s fighting this geezer no one has heard of,’ Sheeraz continued. ‘So he’s contradicted himself there. It would make sense if it was maybe the Conor Benn fight or a big, big fight. Fair enough, that would makes sense. But he doesn’t know what he’s doing, he’s confused.’
Eubank Jr has called out some of the biggest names around with the Benn fight still not dead after its spectacular collapse two years ago. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and a rematch with Billy Joe Saunders have also been mentioned alongside Sheeraz. But the latter feels Eubank Jr’s days of calling the shots are over.
‘He isn’t getting the Canelo fight, no chance. He is an interesting and odd character. Those fights don’t make sense other than the Benn one given the family history and the feud that has gone on. The others don’t make sense. There aren’t many other places to go for him.’
Sheeraz has now done everything asked of him to earn a world title shot with a bit more patience now required.
Having long been labelled one of the best prospects in the country by former champions Carl Frampton and David Haye along with his promoter Frank Warren, Sheeraz has left that label behind. He is now ready to become a genuine household name, having built a following in the UK and in the US where he has been based for the last three years.
Joshua vs Dubois undercard and running order
Daniel Dubois vs Anthony Joshua (IBF heavyweight title)
Tyler Denny vs Hamzah Sheeraz (European middleweight title)
Anthony Cacace vs Josh Warrington (IBO super-featherweight titles)
Ishmael Davis vs Josh Kelly (middleweight)
Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson (WBO interim light-heavyweight title)
Mark Chamberlain vs Josh Padley (lightweight)
‘I gained a lot more respect out there in the US gyms after beating ‘Ammo’,’ he said. ‘I am slowly feeling like an American fighter, my South American support is growing especially with Ricky [Funez] as my trainer. There are loyal, hardcore fans out there and it will help me reach that superstar level.
‘The key is when the causals start mentioning your name. The purists know everything. But when people who don’t always follow boxing start mentioning your name, you know you are starting to tap into that superstar realm.
‘If I play my cards right I can be the next thing. That comes with being good in the ring but it is accompanied by being good out of it. I try my best to help people being a humble guy and not be too cocky with it. To understand that I once came from a place where I had nothing and I understand what it is like to be there. It is about respect. But I am on the trajectory to being that name.’
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