Hamzah Sheeraz and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams will meet in a high-stakes middleweight shootout on the June 1 Queensberry vs. Matchroom ‘5 vs.5’ show in Saudi Arabia.
Money obviously plays its part but the decision to pitch Sheeraz and Williams in together is also a clear indication of the belief that each promoter has in their fighter. The unbeaten middleweights could both have easily been manoeuvred into position to fight for world titles, instead they will face each other.
The winner’s world title claims will be impossible to ignore but they will also put themselves in prime position to snatch a stagnant 160lb division by the scruff of the neck. The loser will need to navigate their way back through the rankings.
Frank Warren has been Sheeraz’s biggest supporter since he appeared on the scene as a lanky super welterweight.
Since stepping up to middleweight two years ago, Sheeraz, 19-0 (15 KOs), has stopped five successive opponents and developed into a fighter with world class potential. The 24-year-old is ranked No.1 with the WBO and at No. 2 with the WBC and has been strongly linked to a fight with the unified WBO and IBF champion, Janibek Alimkhanuly.
Sheeraz goes into the fight with Williams on the back of a career best performance. In February, he put together a sensational display of power punching to take apart respected former world title challenger, Liam Williams, inside a round and Queensberry have decided to capitalise on that momentum and provide their brightest hope with the biggest possible stage to display his talent.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Sheeraz said at Monday’s press conference. “I’m ready. On June 1st, it’ll be a Queensberry win for sure.”
Williams, 16-0 (11 KOs), has his own high world rankings to defend. He sits at No. 5 with the IBF and WBC and at No. 2 with the WBA.