Middleweight contender Hamzah Sheerez (19-0, 15 KOs) is being compared to boxing great Thomas Hearns following his lightning-fast first-round knockout win over Liam Williams (25-5-1, 20 KOs) last Saturday night at the Copper Box Arena in London.
Williams had only been knocked out once in his career, but nothing like that. The 13-year professional, Williams, said he’d had one of his best training camps in getting ready for the 24-year-old Sheerez, but it didn’t help.
Sheerez dropped Williams twice in the first round before his corner pulled him out by throwing in the towel at 2:36 of the round.
Sheeraz Shines, Thomas Hearns Comparisons Emerge
“A superstar was born tonight. He’s got a jab that has got so much power in it. He’s a tremendous puncher, and he reminds me of Tommy Hearns. He’s Britain’s Tommy Hearns,” said promoter Frank Warren to Queensberry Promotions, praising the unbeaten Hamzah Sheerez.
Thomas Hearns was much further along with his career by the time he was Sheerez’s age at 24. Hearns captured a world title at 21 and fought Sugar Ray Leonard at age 22 in 1981 in their mega-fight. He’d already knocked out former champion Pipino Cuevas.
If Sheerez will live up to what ‘The Hitman’ Tommy Hearns, Warren will need to match him against better opposition. Hearns wasn’t held back in his career by his promoter and was already facing high-caliber opposition well before he reached Sheerez’s age.
“If he can emulate what Tommy Hearns has done, what a fighter he will be. I’ll tell you something. He will be because he’s a thorough professional. Hamzah, that was outstanding. Nobody does that to Liam Williams. Not a person in this sport thought that would happen in the first round.
Sheeraz Ready for World Title Shot
“If they fancy it, they can have it; it’s not a problem. I’d love to make those fights, either of those fights,” said Warren when asked if he’d be interested in matching Sheerez against Liam Smith or Chris Eubank Jr. next.
A more realistic option mentioned for Sheerez’s next fight is Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams,’ the unbeaten middleweight contender promoted by Eddie Hearn. Ammo is ranked #3 WBA and the perfect opponent for Sheerez to face to get pushed up the rankings to get in line for a world title shot against champion Erislandy Lara.
