WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames will defend against No. 1 Hamzah Sheeraz on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fans on social media roasted the 25-year-old Sheeraz for turning down #1, IBF and WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, who the World Boxing Organization had ordered him to fight. Fans feel that Sheeraz purposely chose the weakest of the three.
Adames, who is seen as the champion # 3. Hamzah has his reasons for choosing not to fight Janibek or WBA champion Erislandy Lara.
Those would have been tough battles for the 6’3″ Hamzah, and he probably lost to both. Sheeraz obviously knows his limitations as a fighter, hence his selection of Adames instead of Janibek.
If Hamzah loses to Adames, he won’t be given the free pass he would have if Janibek beat him. He could tell the fans and the media that he fought the best if he lost to him. The same excuse does not exist against Adames.
Salvador Rodríguez confirmed the February fight between Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs) and Adames (24-1, 18 KOs).
Hamzah’s recent wins
– Tyler Denny
– Austin Williams
– Liam Williams
– Dmitry Mitrofanov
