sportskeeda
HAMZAH SHEERAZ shocked American fighter Edgar Berlanga with a knockout in the fifth round during his first fight in the U.S.
Sheeraz faced off against Berlanga following a controversial draw with WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames in February.
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Formerly known for achieving 16 consecutive first-round knockouts, Berlanga welcomed Sheeraz to the super-middleweight ranks.
Recently, however, he was outperformed over 12 rounds by Mexican boxing star Canelo Alvarez.
Sheeraz excelled by stopping Berlanga in the fifth round, just one round after sending him to the ground twice in the fourth.
Now the mandatory challenger for the WBO 168lb title, Sheeraz stated: “Canelo is an icon in boxing to me.
“To have my name mentioned in the same breath as his is a great honor.
“If the chance arises, I will confront him directly.
“A massive thank you to Andy Lee.
“In those early rounds, I was falling behind, but we had a game plan. I asked him to have faith in me, and he did, for which I’m thankful.
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“I guarantee you, no one in that ring today could have stopped me.”
Sheeraz, 26, initially knocked Berlanga, 28, down with a left hook after a flurry of punches.
The American, with Puerto Rican heritage, managed to rise but was put down again with a strong right hand.
Despite his valiant effort, Berlanga couldn’t withstand another knockdown, prompting the referee to halt the match.
Sheeraz’s record now stands at 22 wins and one draw, while he waits for Canelo’s next steps as Canelo prepares to face Terence Crawford on September 13.
