Hamzah Sheeraz Stops Alem Begic, Wins WBO Super Middleweight Title

Sheeraz used sharp jab work and a brutal body shot to finish the unbeaten contender in two rounds in Egypt

Hamzah Sheeraz (23-0-1, 19 KOs) knocked out Alem Begic (29-1-1, 23 KOs) in the second round Saturday night to win the vacant WBO super middleweight title at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Sheeraz took charge early with straight punching beore ending the fight with a body shot that left Begic unable to continue.

Sheeraz started quickly and used his size advantage from the opening bell. He kept Begic at the end of the jab, stepped into range with straight shots, and forced the Bosnian contender to fight on the outside. Begic tried to press forward and close distance, but Sheeraz repeatedly beat him to the punch.

The finish started taking shape in the second round as Sheeraz began sitting down more on his punches. He opened up with combinations and started finding clean shots through Begic’s guard.

The ending came after Sheeraz landed a left uppercut upstairs before driving a left hook into the body that dropped Begic hard to the canvas. Begic attempted to recover but could not beat the count as the fight ended in the second round.

The performance gave Sheeraz the first world title of his career and added another knockout to his record. His jab, straight punching, and body work kept Begic from finding any rhythm once the fight settled.

After the victory, Sheeraz made his plans clear.

“I’m going to collect all the belts, and inshallah, this time next year, you could see Hamzah Sheeraz as a unified champion at the 168 division,” Sheeraz said.

“If I get the opportunity [to fight Canelo], I’ll definitely be getting the win for sure.”

Begic entered the fight unbeaten with a strong knockout record, but he struggled with Sheeraz’s reach and punch placement. Once Sheeraz started putting combinations together, the finish came quickly.