Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Diego Pacheco for WBO Championship
In a significant development for the super-middleweight division, British boxer Hamzah Sheeraz, boasting an impressive record of 22 victories in 23 fights, has been instructed to clash with Diego Pacheco for the now-vacant WBO super-middleweight championship. This opportunity arose following the recent retirement of Terence Crawford, who announced he has “nothing else left to prove” after a historic victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, making him the first boxer in the modern era to hold undisputed titles across three separate weight classes.
Impact of Crawford’s Retirement
Crawford, who concluded his career undefeated with 42 wins, decided to vacate his titles, leading the WBO to mandate a match between Sheeraz and Pacheco. This fight represents a crucial second chance for the 26-year-old Sheeraz after being previously ordered by the WBC to take on Christian Mbilli for their own vacant title. The WBC had stripped Crawford of his championship due to unpaid sanctioning fees prior to his retirement.
Fight Negotiations
Promoters for both fighters, Queensberry for Sheeraz and Matchroom for Pacheco, are now tasked with finalizing the fight within a 20-day timeframe. Should they fail to come to an agreement, a purse bid process will be initiated in accordance with WBO regulations.
Recent Performances
Sheeraz experienced a draw against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames last February, an outcome that was seen as underwhelming given the expectations. However, he bounced back successfully with a win over Edgar Berlanga in July. Pacheco, at 24 years old, remains undefeated with 25 wins to his name, setting the stage for a potential thrilling encounter between the two rising stars in boxing.
