Sheeraz spotted Begic negativity early in WBO title win

Hamzah Sheeraz says he knew his WBO middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-middleweight title fight with Alem Begic was won after the opening exchange. The welterweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light middleweight sensed his opponent's reluctance immediately and pressed for a finish.

“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 took the WBO middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-middleweight belt from Begic at short notice. The bout gave the Ilford fighter his first world title at 168 pounds. Begic had held the secondary strap but offered little resistance once Sheeraz landed clean.

What it moves

Sheeraz is now positioned for a bigger test at middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-middleweight. His willingness to walk down an opponent who showed early hesitation suggests confidence at the new weight. The division's leading names will watch how he handles a fighter who stands his ground.

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