Sheeraz says Begic 'very negative' after landing first punch

Hamzah Sheeraz said Alem Begic turned defensive the moment he landed his opening shot 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 to force 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 was fighting for the WBO middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-middleweight title against Begic. The welterweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light middleweight had called for a world title shot after a string of domestic wins. The contest gave him the platform to move into the world championship picture at 168 pounds.

What it moves

Sheeraz will now wait on the WBO's next move in the middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-middleweight division. His comments suggest he expects a step up in opposition after dealing with Begic's retreat. The sanctioning body will decide whether he faces a mandatory challenger or waits for a unification chance.

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