An Unlikely Ring in Queens? Berlanga vs. Sheeraz Card Eyes Odd Louis Armstrong Stadium Location

The July 12th card, headlined by Edgar Berlanga vs. Hamzah Sheeraz, could be staged at the 14,000-seat Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. It would be an odd location for a boxing event. This is at the National Tennis Center.

(Credit: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom)

Louis Armstrong Stadium

Dan Rafael reports that there’s a “good chance” the venue will be the Louis Armstrong Stadium. It’s still not official, though.

The scenery of the Louis Armstrong Stadium isn’t much better than that of the Barclays Center or Madison Square Garden. If the idea is to impress fans, placing it in that location won’t do a lot.

July 12th Event

– Edgar Berlanga vs. Hamzah Sheeraz – Headliner
– Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda – Co-feature
– Alberto Puello vs. Subriel Matias
– David Morrell vs. Imam Khataev

Fans are still upset about Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) being in the main event against Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0-1, 17 KOs). They feel that WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson’s title defense against the popular William Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) should be the main event on this card.

Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) holds a world title and has captured world titles in three divisions. Berlanga has never won a world title and was nearly shut out in his title challenge against unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez on September 14th last year. Sheeraz is coming off a controversial 12-round draw against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames on February 22nd. Many boxing fans felt that Sheeraz lost that fight, but he was gifted a draw.

Central Park Dreams

The event had been rumored to be staged at Central Park in New York. However, given the regulations and permits required to stage a large outside event at the park, it would be a difficult task. There would also be problems with environmental impact. This large green park setting is not designed for a vast crowd for a boxing event.

Per sources, while the venue is not official yet for the July 12 #BerlangaSheeraz & #StevensonZepeda card, which will take place in NY, there is a good chance it lands at Louis Armstrong Stadium (14k-seater, retractable roof) at the National Tennis Center in Queens. #boxing

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 12, 2025