Hamzah Sheeraz Moves Camp To California

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

HAMZAH SHEERAZ has moved his training base to California and insists: “I now know that I belong at the top.”

The WBO European Super-Welterweight champion is training under experienced Ricky Funez at the Ten Goose gym in Los Angeles.

Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) switched to his new base two months ago and believes the results will show when he returns to action this Summer.

The Ilford man said: “If I came here and got my arse kicked in sparring I would have come home and not wasted time and money.

“The sparring whether it’s in our gym, going to the Wild Card or Justin Fortune’s gym is great. I have been sparring Olympians, Mexicans, South Americans and Cubans.

“It’s good to get a taste of all the styles because you know where you are at.

“I know for sure that I belong at the top after sparring here. It’s now about making the right adjustments and moves at the right time.

“In terms of training over here it is how you are outside as well as inside the ring.

“It’s not like I’m a wild child. I’m well behaved, but watching boxing, living it and breathing it is all I do out here.

“So many people come in and out the gym like the Ruelas brothers and I pick up a bit of knowledge from everyone.

“It takes a few camps for massive changes, but I’ve been learning a hell of a lot especially when it comes to work rate.”

Honduran born Funez learned the boxing business under Dan and Joe Goossen and worked with some of the sport’s biggest names.

That list includes the late Diego Corrales, Shane Mosley, Azumah Nelson, Michael Nunn, Gabe Ruelas, Rafael Ruelas, James Toney and Israel Vazquez.

Hamzah who is world ranked number 13 by the WBO for Brian Castano’s world title set out to chase the American dream after meeting with Funez in London in 2019.

Sheeraz explained: “Before my fight with Ryan Kelly, Ricky was around as he had a YouTuber fighting on a charity event.

“I was asked to do a session with him so I could get a taste of what it was like working with an American coach and didn’t think anything of it.

“I thought I’d do the session and crack on with my day. Ever since then I have always wanted to come to America.

“At the time I didn’t have the funds and sponsorship in place, but got that thanks to my sponsors in Dubai.

“That allowed me to come over here and once we got the funds I made the move straight away. I am fully based here training wise with Ricky.

“It is pure camp life and I’m usually too tired to do much when I have time so it is Netflix and rest. It isn’t boring because I am enjoying it.

“I have given up so much. Unfortunately, my Uncle passed away and I had to miss his funeral, my birthday and a couple Religious festivals.

“I have been away for what seems so long that whoever is in the ring with me has to pay for it.

“We plan to fly back into the UK soon and allow plenty of time to get used to the eight hours time difference before the fight.”

There are plenty who expect Hamzah to reach the top, but before then he is involved in a thriving domestic scene.

A showdown with Queensberry stablemate Troy Williamson has been discussed but his rival is next in line to challenge British champion Ted Cheeseman.

.Hamzah added: “I have never set out to go out and win a British title, but if the opportunity came I wouldn’t knock it down.

“Whatever route Frank and my manager Andy Ayling chooses I’ll go with. I will get in with whoever is in my way.”

[Tarquin Tarpaulin IV]

It always concerns me when boxers make wholesale moves, this being Hamzah's second in just 12 fights.

[Ruthless-RKO]

It always concerns me when boxers make wholesale moves, this being Hamzah's second in just 12 fights.

Wholesale?

[Tarquin Tarpaulin IV]

Wholesale = moving area, changing gym, changing coaches.

[handsofstone]

Big fan of Sheeraz, he looks the goods

[maverick23]

Big fan of Sheeraz, he looks the goods

He’s looked good in his recent fights but he’s fought no one yet that’s tried to win. Bulk of his wins are against guys with losing records and the other wins were against guys well out of their depth. Yet he’s ranked 13th by the WBO.

His best win is probably Ryan Kelly who is a small light middle/more of a welterweight.

Light middle’s a deep division in the U.K. where there are loads of good domestic fighters - he should be fighting some of them rather than the overmatched Spaniard he’s fighting next.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Big fan of Sheeraz, he looks the goods

He’s looked good in his recent fights but he’s fought no one yet that’s tried to win. Bulk of his wins are against guys with losing records and the other wins were against guys well out of their depth. Yet he’s ranked 13th by the WBO.

That's the power of Frank W.

Look at who Yarde beat? Even Catterall. Fair enough he had he odddecent opponent, but was already in a good position.

[maverick23]

Big fan of Sheeraz, he looks the goods

He’s looked good in his recent fights but he’s fought no one yet that’s tried to win. Bulk of his wins are against guys with losing records and the other wins were against guys well out of their depth. Yet he’s ranked 13th by the WBO.

That's the power of Frank W.

Look at who Yarde beat? Even Catterall. Fair enough he had he odddecent opponent, but was already in a good position.

Yeah - FW does really well with the WBO rankings but we’re in an era now where there are few poor world champions so when his fighters end up fighting for a title they’re not well enough prepared for it.

It’s one thing having someone in your top 15 but the WBO shouldn’t be as accommodating in making the fighters mandatories - like Catterall has.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Hamzah Sheeraz Vows To Make Statement in Bradley Skeete Clash

HAMZAH SHEERAZ has rammed Bradley Skeete’s threats back at him, taunting: “You’ve never smashed anyone.”

The red-hot Ilford prospect makes the fourth defense of his WBO European Super-Welterweight title against Skeete at Copper Box Arena, London on Saturday December 4, live on BT Sport.

It’s a huge step up for Sheeraz, while former British Welterweight champion Skeete must win to keep his big-time career alive.

Sheeraz, 22, who trains in Los Angeles under Ricky Funez said: “I have seen a few interviews where he said he wants to come and smash my face in.

“In the most respectful way possible I don’t think Bradley has smashed anybody’s face in.

“He has outboxed opponents and outclassed them, but in all honesty he has smashed no one’s face in.

“I’m hoping he does try to do that because it will be an even more entertaining fight to meet him in the middle of that ring.

“This a good fight, no it’s a great fight and as allegedly described it’s a breakout for me.”

Although Sheeraz jumped at the chance to face Skeete when the fight was offered he never expected to meet his South London rival who trains in Sheffield under Dominic Ingle.

Sheeraz was still a teenager when he had had his fourth and fifth professional fights on bills in Brentwood when Skeete was World ranked and the star attraction.

Hamzah can even recall sparring with his latest rival just a few months after leaving school while working as an apprentice electrician.

He added: “It’s mad to think I was on his undercards three years ago and now he is challenging for my belt.

“When I used to train with Dominic Negus I sparred with Bradley when I was 17 before I turned professional with Frank.

“Dominic said after the spar that I would fight him one day and I didn’t think anything of what he had said.

“When I boxed on Bradley's undercard I wasn’t thinking of us ever meeting because he was looking at a World title shot against Jeff Horn, but he didn’t get that fight.

“Here we are and this is a great opportunity for myself.”