Sheeraz explains quick WBO super-middleweight win over Begic

Hamzah Sheeraz said his WBO middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-middleweight title win over Alem Begic came down to early pressure. The welterweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light middleweight forced Begic into a defensive shell from the opening exchange and closed the show.

“It was simple - I saw he was very negative from when I landed the first punch. After that it was about walking him down and getting out of there. That is what we've done.”

— Hamzah Sheeraz, via BBC Sport

What Hamzah Sheeraz said

Sheeraz claimed the WBO middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-middleweight belt by stopping Begic. The victory moves the welterweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light middleweight into the world title picture at 168 pounds. Speaking to BBC Sport, Sheeraz said his game plan centred on an aggressive start that would break his opponent's resistance.

What it moves

The win positions Sheeraz for bigger fights at middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-middleweight. His willingness to walk forward and finish early could appeal to promoters looking for action-led title matchups. Begic's negative approach, as Sheeraz described it, allowed no route back into the contest once the first punch landed clean.

Source: bbc.com. Full Hamzah Sheeraz fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.