Sheeraz Blasts WBO As "Disgraceful"

Hamzah Sheeraz has accused the WBO of "corruption" and "ulterior motives" after the sanctioning body named its mandatory challenger at 168 pounds, ordering him to defend his middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super middleweight title against Janibek Alimkhanuly.

Sheeraz claimed the vacant title in May with a second-round finish of Alem Begic, and made his first defense in July with a majority decision over Simon Zachenhuber. Before that, he stopped Edgar Berlanga in five rounds following a contentious draw with Carlos Adames at middleweight — a resume that, while active, hasn't fully silenced questions about his world-class credentials.

Sheeraz had been willing to face Jacob Bank, the WBO's next-ranked contender behind Canelo Alvarez, in his next fight. Instead, the WBO ordered him to face Alimkhanuly, despite the Kazakh testing positive for banned substance meldonium in November — a positive test that resulted in the WBO subsequently terminating his year-long suspension rather than enforcing it in full.

"I think it's a joke. I think what the WBO have done here is disgraceful to the sport of boxing as well. What they're essentially doing is rewarding someone who's been popped [for a banned substance]. I suppose it comes down to ulterior motives and corruption… I feel like it's all based on personal relationships," Sheeraz