Sheeraz says Begic folded after first punch in WBO title win

Hamzah Sheeraz said Alem Begic turned negative the moment he landed his opening punch in their WBO middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-middleweight title fight. The welterweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light middleweight walked his opponent down before forcing a stoppage.

“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 collected the WBO belt at middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-middleweight in a bout that saw him press forward from the opening bell. The win keeps the unbeaten fighter in position for bigger assignments at 168 pounds, where the division's top names hold the other three major belts.

What it moves

Sheeraz will now look to unify or move up in weight. His ability to force a stoppage against a cautious opponent suggests he can trouble champions who prefer to box behind a jab. The WBO has yet to order its mandatory.

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