Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Diego Pacheco - WBO ordered 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sources have informed The Ring that Riyadh Season is very interested in staging an explosive super-middleweight showdown between undefeated contenders Hamzah Sheeraz and Diego Pacheco.

February 2026 is the target date for the contest.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sheeraz was also ordered to fight Mbili for WBC belt.

Let’s see what he does.

[Ruthless-RKO]

RIYADH SEASON TARGETS DIEGO PACHECO VS. HAMZAH SHEERAZ FOR FEBRUARY

One of the best fights that can be made in the super middleweight division could happen in early 2026.

The Ring has learned that Riyadh Season is interested in a bout between unbeaten super middleweight contenders Diego Pacheco and Hamzah Sheeraz. February is the targeted date for a potential clash, though, that would mean a rapid turnaround for Pacheco, who is coming off a unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten Kevin Lele Sadjo on Saturday in Stockton, California.

Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs) overcame an eighth-round knockdown to win 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 across the three judges' scorecards against the rugged Sadjo (26-1, 23 KOs). Pacheco, 24, went 3-0 in 2025, with all three victories coming by unanimous decision.

Pacheco, who stands 6-foot-4, is ranked by all four sanctioning bodies, including No. 3 by the WBO. He is No. 5 in The Ring’s super middleweight rankings.

Sheeraz 26, who is also a towering super middleweight standing 6-3, rebounded from a controversial draw with WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames by dropping Edgar Berlanga three times in a fifth-round stoppage victory in his debut at 168 pounds on July 12. Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs), who is ranked No. 8 by The Ring at super middleweight, is ranked inside the top six for four sanctioning bodies, including being No. 2 in the WBC's and WBO’s rankings.

The WBC has ordered Sheeraz to face fellow undefeated contender Christian Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) for its vacant super middleweight title after stripping Terence Crawford. Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) remains the unified IBF/WBA/WBO and Ring Magazine super middleweight champion.

With both fighters highly ranked by multiple sanctioning bodies, that could potentially pave the way for a world title to be on the line if a bout between the two comes to fruition.

[Bigdogsnose]

Sheeraz will boss him. Pacheco has hit his ceiling. Looks very limited.

[MPW]

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Does Sheeraz try for the WBC strap against Mbilli or take the Riyadh money against Pacheco?

I believe SMW is on the cusp of becoming a red-hot division. Crawford and Alvarez aside, there are a number of talented and hungry fighters in the ranks. In addition to Sheeraz, Mbilli, and Pacheco, you've got Iglesias, Martinez, Melikuziev, Simpson, Plantic, Nurmaganbet, and Ihosvany Garcia. And let's not forget some of the old warhorses in Jermall Charlo, Plant, and Derevyanchenko.

There is the tremendous potential for some excellent fights in the future, assuming of course that boxing politics doesn't get in the way.

[Taansend]

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Does Sheeraz try for the WBC strap against Mbilli or take the Riyadh money against Pacheco?

I believe SMW is on the cusp of becoming a red-hot division. Crawford and Alvarez aside, there are a number of talented and hungry fighters in the ranks. In addition to Sheeraz, Mbilli, and Pacheco, you've got Iglesias, Martinez, Melikuziev, Simpson, Plantic, Nurmaganbet, and Ihosvany Garcia. And let's not forget some of the old warhorses in Jermall Charlo, Plant, and Derevyanchenko.

There is the tremendous potential for some excellent fights in the future, assuming of course that boxing politics doesn't get in the way.

I agree. I just hope there's fights BETWEEN the first set of boxers you mentioned.

However, I can't see Caleb Plant doing anything. I watched his loss to Resendiz & he didn't seem to have any fight left in him.

Charlo was a decent fight but he's beaten two ex Welterweights at 168 & doesn't seem to be mentioned by any of the top names.

[MightyWarrior]

Think he’ll go for the money match and stick with the Saudis, who like him a lot. And when he beats Pacheco, who didn’t look all that at the weekend, he’s nailed on for a title shot with everything stacked in his favour. That was a great win last time out, in a very tough division..

how did he get so good? I didn’t hear much about him coming out of the amateurs, but then maybe I wasn’t paying attention

[Ezzard]

Both looknlike giants in the division. Likely they will avoid one another.

[rio]

Huge Mbili duck if Sheeraz takes this.

[Taansend]

Huge Mbili duck if Sheeraz takes this.

Why is everything a duck nowadays?

They're PRIZEfighters so if a fight makes more financial sense, shouldn't they go for that?

If you're a manager wouldn't you want to maximise your fighters (& your) purse?

[skanksta]

Sheeraz was also ordered to fight Mbili for WBC belt.

Let’s see what he does.

You'd imagine Mbili would be less money.., and harder to beat ?
thoughts RKO ?
Anyone ?

[skanksta]

Sheeraz was also ordered to fight Mbili for WBC belt.

Let’s see what he does.

You'd imagine Mbili would be less money.., and harder to beat ?
thoughts RKO ?
Anyone ?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sheeraz was also ordered to fight Mbili for WBC belt.

Let’s see what he does.

You'd imagine Mbili would be less money.., and harder to beat ?
thoughts RKO ?
Anyone ?

The Mbili fight could be on a Ring card or Riyadh season..

But then so can Pacheco fight.

He’s an ambassador or Ring and a clear favourite of Turki.

I’m sure he’ll pay him well regardless.

[skanksta]

Then I'd choose Pacheco - seems more beatable and a bigger name.
Either is good tho..

[rio]

Mbili would be a big favorite vs Sheeraz. If he fights Pacheco and is not for a world title it's a huge duck. He's talked about wanting to win a world title well now he has his shot and its Mbili who stands in his way.

[Taansend]

Mbili would be a big favorite vs Sheeraz. If he fights Pacheco and is not for a world title it's a huge duck. He's talked about wanting to win a world title well now he has his shot and its Mbili who stands in his way.

What if the Pacheco fight is a more winnable fight, for much more money & he is guaranteed a world title shot next?

Is that a 'huge duck' or a smart business decision by people who are in this sport to make money?

It's easy for people to sit at home calling fighters out over the internet but what's the best long term strategy for the team? They're planning out the next few fights. And that includes maximising revenue AND exposure.

[rio]

Mbili would be a big favorite vs Sheeraz. If he fights Pacheco and is not for a world title it's a huge duck. He's talked about wanting to win a world title well now he has his shot and its Mbili who stands in his way.

What if the Pacheco fight is a more winnable fight, for much more money & he is guaranteed a world title shot next?

Is that a 'huge duck' or a smart business decision by people who are in this sport to make money?

It's easy for people to sit at home calling fighters out over the internet but what's the best long term strategy for the team? They're planning out the next few fights. And that includes maximising revenue AND exposure.

If he turns down a world title fight and fights someone else not for a world title it is a duck. Never been a fan of fighters looking for the easiest possible route for a title. I remember when Luke Campbell was mandatory for Mikey Garcia and he just sat it out, didnt push for it and waited for him to vacate. I was very happy with when Loma got made mandatory, Hearn was fuming about that one that Campbell had to fight hin for vacate belt. Basically if you get a shot at a world title you should take it.

[Taansend]

Funnily enough, I went to the Loma v Crolla fight.

The 168 is going to be either really shite or really good in the next few years.

I love Canelo but I hope he loses his next fight & retires.

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBO have ordered the fight..

[Ruthless-RKO]

[skanksta]

Mbili would be a big favorite vs Sheeraz. If he fights Pacheco and is not for a world title it's a huge duck. He's talked about wanting to win a world title well now he has his shot and its Mbili who stands in his way.

What if the Pacheco fight is a more winnable fight, for much more money & he is guaranteed a world title shot next?

Is that a 'huge duck' or a smart business decision by people who are in this sport to make money?

It's easy for people to sit at home calling fighters out over the internet but what's the best long term strategy for the team? They're planning out the next few fights. And that includes maximising revenue AND exposure.

If he turns down a world title fight and fights someone else not for a world title it is a duck. Never been a fan of fighters looking for the easiest possible route for a title. I remember when Luke Campbell was mandatory for Mikey Garcia and he just sat it out, didnt push for it and waited for him to vacate. I was very happy with when Loma got made mandatory, Hearn was fuming about that one that Campbell had to fight hin for vacate belt. Basically if you get a shot at a world title you should take it.

I get your general sentiment Rio, but I don't think it's really clear cut here ?
Can't blame them for taking an (on paper) easier fight for more money and it looks like it'll be a for a title anyways..

The question is more, why do you think Mbili is 'clear favourite to beat Sheeraz' and assume Pacheco has no chance ??
Again, I'm not saying you're wrrong (I agree Pacheco probably easier), but I just don't see it a huge difference between the 3 of them ?
They'd all be good fights and even the weakest (Pacheco we think) could win 'em all..?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Diego Pacheco ordered for vacant WBO world super-middleweight title

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Diego Pacheco world title fight ordered

Following undisputed super-middleweight champion Terence Crawford’s retirement last week, the WBO have ordered Hamzah Sheeraz and Diego Pacheco to contest the now vacant WBO world super-middleweight title.

Sheeraz could not only become a world champion, but he could hold a world title that was first won by boxing legend Thomas Hearns in 1988.

British & Irish WBO world super-middleweight champions

Billy Joe Saunders
Joe Calzaghe
Steve Collins
Chris Eubank

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBO: HAMZAH SHEERAZ-DIEGO PACHECO ORDERED FOR VACANT WORLD TITLE

The WBO is ready to crown a new super middleweight champion.

The sanctioning body has officially ordered Hamzah Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) and Diego Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs), its second and third-ranked contenders, to fight for its vacant title.

The winner of their proposed matchup will fill the hole recently left by Terence Crawford.

Earlier this month, the future first ballot Hall of Famer announced his retirement, just three months after becoming the first male fighter to become an undisputed champion across three weight divisions in the four-belt era after his 12-round points win over Canelo Alvarez.

The Ring's No. 8-rated super middleweight Sheeraz, 26, experienced an up-and-down 2025 campaign. The British contender fought for his maiden world title against WBC middleweight beltholder Carlos Adames on February 22, but was forced to settle for a split decision draw after a sluggish second-half - one many felt he was fortunate not to lose.

Rather than continue boiling his body down to 160-pounds, he confirmed he'd be moving up and looked like a new man four months later, easily stopping Edgar Berlanga with a fifth-round knockout victory on July 12 during the 'Ring III' headliner in New York.

The Ring's No. 5-rated Pacheco meanwhile, went 3-0 this year with a trio of decision victories over contenders Steven Nelson, Trevor McCumby and most recently, recovering from a career-first knockdown to outpoint Kevin Lele Sadjo on December 13.

Previously, both men have expressed a willingness and intrigue towards fighting one another in the future and that may come to fruition in 2026 after this latest update.

[MPW]

I'm really curious to see how this plays out. Sheeraz and Mbilli for the WBC belt or Sheeraz versus Pacheco for the WBO title. Both with the potential to be good fights.

These designations also put Sheeraz in a very enviable position as to which belt he wants to pursue, although I'm sure the purse amount will weigh heavily on that decision. To me, the interesting prospect is that he has the talent to win either bout - or lose either one.

[rio]

What if the Pacheco fight is a more winnable fight, for much more money & he is guaranteed a world title shot next?

Is that a 'huge duck' or a smart business decision by people who are in this sport to make money?

It's easy for people to sit at home calling fighters out over the internet but what's the best long term strategy for the team? They're planning out the next few fights. And that includes maximising revenue AND exposure.

If he turns down a world title fight and fights someone else not for a world title it is a duck. Never been a fan of fighters looking for the easiest possible route for a title. I remember when Luke Campbell was mandatory for Mikey Garcia and he just sat it out, didnt push for it and waited for him to vacate. I was very happy with when Loma got made mandatory, Hearn was fuming about that one that Campbell had to fight hin for vacate belt. Basically if you get a shot at a world title you should take it.

I get your general sentiment Rio, but I don't think it's really clear cut here ?
Can't blame them for taking an (on paper) easier fight for more money and it looks like it'll be a for a title anyways..

The question is more, why do you think Mbili is 'clear favourite to beat Sheeraz' and assume Pacheco has no chance ??
Again, I'm not saying you're wrrong (I agree Pacheco probably easier), but I just don't see it a huge difference between the 3 of them ?
They'd all be good fights and even the weakest (Pacheco we think) could win 'em all..?

Seen alot of both Sheeraz and Mbili. Based on that I make Mbili a clear favourite where as vs Pacheco I make it a 50/50 fight. When this fight came up I had massive doubts they would take it and would try to navigate another route to avoid Mbili. Looks like that scenario is playing out.