Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Alem Begic | DAZN - 23 May 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hamzah Sheeraz-Alem Begic leads Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven undercard

Hamzah Sheeraz and Alem Begic will contest the vacant WBO super-middleweight title on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven on May 23.

By the time they do so, as Boxing Scene previously reported, Jack Catterall and Shakhram Giyasov will have fought for the WBA “regular” welterweight title, promoters The Ring Magazine have confirmed.

There will also, at the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, be a heavyweight contest between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jnr, a WBO welterweight title fight between the champion Mizuki Hiruta and Mai Soliman, a cruiserweight match-up between Basem Mamdouh and Jamar Talley, and fights between the Egyptians Mahmoud Mobark and Michael Kalyalya, and Omar Hikal and Ali Sserunkuma.

The super-middleweight titles became vacant when Terence Crawford, in the aftermath of his victory over the previous undisputed champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, retired.

Sheeraz is promoted by Queensberry Promotions. Queensberry’s allegedly has confirmed that he is considering legal action against the Saudi Arabia-owned Sela, the owners of The Ring, and American company TKO.

[keithmoonhangover]

Hamzah Sheeraz-Alem Begic leads Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven undercard

Hamzah Sheeraz and Alem Begic will contest the vacant WBO super-middleweight title on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven on May 23.

By the time they do so, as Boxing Scene previously reported, Jack Catterall and Shakhram Giyasov will have fought for the WBA “regular” welterweight title, promoters The Ring Magazine have confirmed.

There will also, at the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, be a heavyweight contest between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jnr, a WBO welterweight title fight between the champion Mizuki Hiruta and Mai Soliman, a cruiserweight match-up between Basem Mamdouh and Jamar Talley, and fights between the Egyptians Mahmoud Mobark and Michael Kalyalya, and Omar Hikal and Ali Sserunkuma.

The super-middleweight titles became vacant when Terence Crawford, in the aftermath of his victory over the previous undisputed champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, retired.

Sheeraz is promoted by Queensberry Promotions. Queensberry’s allegedly has confirmed that he is considering legal action against the Saudi Arabia-owned Sela, the owners of The Ring, and American company TKO.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Fwank's legal team are busier than a $5 whore.

[Taansend]

Isn't that why he's suing? Or part of the reason?

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

In 2 weeks!

[MPW]

I know there's still time for it to ramp up, but there doesn't seem to be much of a build up for this SMW title fight. I guess it may be that most of us feel it's little more than a foregone conclusion rather than an actual 50/50 battle for the WBO belt.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

SHEERAZ WILL BE UNDISPUTED CHAMP IN 'NEXT YEAR OR TWO,' SAYS LEE

Hamzah Sheeraz's trainer Andy Lee has big things planned for his charge over the next couple of years.
First, Sheeraz must get past Alem Begic on The Ring's "Glory in Giza" card at the Pyramids in Egypt May 23, live on DAZN. The vacant WBO super middleweight title will be on the line.

After that, Lee believes Sheeraz has the potential to go on and achieve undisputed honors at 168 pounds.

"He's ready for them all," Lee told The Ring. "All goes to plan, he'll be the unified, [then] undisputed champion in the next year or two.

"He has to win the [Begic] fight. I'm not looking past anything or taking anything for granted.

"It's a big opportunity for Alem Begic to make his name. We have to make sure that Hamzah is on top of everything, at the peak of his powers.

"He's improving every day, I'm excited for him and I'm looking forward to the experience of being in Egypt. I've always been fascinated by the Pyramids. It's going to be a fantastic setting, but first and foremost it's the boxing."

Sheeraz hasn't fought since dispatching Edgar Berlanga inside five rounds in the main event of "Ring III" last summer, but should he beat Begic, big things await, including a potential fight with Canelo Alvarez, who has his own fish to fry in Christian Mbilli on September 12.

Lee doesn't believe the pressure of having to deliver against an opponent many believe to be overmatched will make any difference to Sheeraz's performance.

"I think Hamzah has the experience," the former middleweight champion added. "He's such a determined, mentally strong person. I don't care if it was Canelo or Begic, I think he's preparing the exact same way. We'll have the same mindset."

The world title fight between Hamzah Sheeraz and Alem Begic will be showcased as part of The Ring's "Glory in Giza" — headlined by the heavyweight showdown pitting division king Oleksandr Usyk against kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven. The historic DAZN Pay-Per-View card takes place on May 23 at the legendary Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

[joshj909]

SHEERAZ WILL BE UNDISPUTED CHAMP IN 'NEXT YEAR OR TWO,' SAYS LEE

Hamzah Sheeraz's trainer Andy Lee has big things planned for his charge over the next couple of years.
First, Sheeraz must get past Alem Begic on The Ring's "Glory in Giza" card at the Pyramids in Egypt May 23, live on DAZN. The vacant WBO super middleweight title will be on the line.

After that, Lee believes Sheeraz has the potential to go on and achieve undisputed honors at 168 pounds.

"He's ready for them all," Lee told The Ring. "All goes to plan, he'll be the unified, [then] undisputed champion in the next year or two.

"He has to win the [Begic] fight. I'm not looking past anything or taking anything for granted.

"It's a big opportunity for Alem Begic to make his name. We have to make sure that Hamzah is on top of everything, at the peak of his powers.

"He's improving every day, I'm excited for him and I'm looking forward to the experience of being in Egypt. I've always been fascinated by the Pyramids. It's going to be a fantastic setting, but first and foremost it's the boxing."

Sheeraz hasn't fought since dispatching Edgar Berlanga inside five rounds in the main event of "Ring III" last summer, but should he beat Begic, big things await, including a potential fight with Canelo Alvarez, who has his own fish to fry in Christian Mbilli on September 12.

Lee doesn't believe the pressure of having to deliver against an opponent many believe to be overmatched will make any difference to Sheeraz's performance.

"I think Hamzah has the experience," the former middleweight champion added. "He's such a determined, mentally strong person. I don't care if it was Canelo or Begic, I think he's preparing the exact same way. We'll have the same mindset."

The world title fight between Hamzah Sheeraz and Alem Begic will be showcased as part of The Ring's "Glory in Giza" — headlined by the heavyweight showdown pitting division king Oleksandr Usyk against kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven. The historic DAZN Pay-Per-View card takes place on May 23 at the legendary Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Unless Adames gets in the way...

[giacomino]

Hard to see this as anything more than a setup for Sheeraz to get a belt against a no-hoper. Would be great if Begic proves me wrong, but so many of these "vacant title" bouts are setups where one of the fighters has no business in a title fight. I guess that is to be expected when there are 70 or so "world titles" available in the various weight classes, in addition to "regular" and "interim" paper belts.

[THEBUTCH]

This is why there's so little interest in this fight. All the talk is about the future and very little focus on the fight in hand.

World title fight ? It has the feel of a reasonable ten rounder !

[Kilburn]

As a standard DAZN subscriber who doesn’t want to be proven wrong with this DAZN Ultimate malarkey, I’m obviously choosing my ppv’s very cautiously (1 purchase so far).

This card could turn out to be even worse than it looks if Sanchez,, Begic and Verhoeven aren’t very competitive.

Anyone got a higher opinion of Begic?

[margaret thatcher]

finally saw some of begic, wow this is a terrible fight

[Kilburn]

I guess Begic plans on targeting the body.

Easier said than done in this fight.

[margaret thatcher]

begic has to be one of the worst guys in a major world title fight for a while, what a joke. sheeraz doesnt need this coddling either, he could handily defeat much better guys

[Kilburn]

Looking at Begic’s record, typically the guys with a winning resume’ who he has stopped, have gone on to be stopped again shortly afterwards. He should be right out of his depth here.

Begic’s body punches appear to be better than what he throws upstairs. He’ll do well to make it to the half way point.

[Ruthless-RKO]

'Stars aligned' for Hamzah Sheeraz against Alem Begic

Hamzah Sheeraz feels like Saturday night in Egypt will be his time to shine.

The English super-middleweight contender challenges for the vacant WBO title against unbeaten German Alem Begic and said at today’s final press conference: “This is what dreams are made of, with the help of [trainer] Andy Lee, my team, let’s make history. I feel like the stars are aligned and it’s a meant-to-be moment.”

Begic, for his part, disagreed.

“Hamzah is a world class talent, a world class boxer and the future of boxing,” Begic admitted. “And believe it or not, love him or hate him, he will definitely be world champion one day – but from my side Saturday will be my moment to shine.”

Also on the Giza bill, topped by the contest between unbeaten heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, there is an IBF eliminator for the right to face Usyk between Richard Torrez Jnr and Frank Sanchez.

“The hard work’s been done,” Torrez said. “I’ve been in camp since January, for five months, and I can’t wait to be in the ring. I couldn’t wait in March [when the fight was first scheduled for] and it got postponed but now I can show what I’ve been working on.

“In order to show your skill, you have to show that against someone skilful. I think Frank Sanchez is a formidable opponent who has been in with incredible competition and I want to show that I’m right there with them.”

Cuba’s Sanchez believes he can make up the ground on the division rivals he lost when defeated by Agit Kabayel.

“I just want to get back to where I belong,” Sanchez said. “Get back to my spot and be the first Cuban heavyweight champion… He’s a great boxer but I’m a more technical boxer and I’ll show that on Saturday.”

At welterweight, for the WBA title and the right to fight newly-crowned Super Champion Rolly Romero, Jack Catterall is in deep against Shakhram Giyasov.

“It’s a great opponent in Shakhram but I’ve worked too hard to be denied on Saturday,” Catterall said. “I’ve prepared hard and trained well and no matter what he brings, I’m taking that belt… When it comes down to it, I’m better in all departments.”

“I have more motivation,” Giyasov replied. “I’ve been working eight years for this fight and I will do it. I’m ready. He’s a good fighter, he’s a good boxer, but I’m 100 per cent ready.”

Asked why Romero had not fought him yet, Giyasov quipped: “I think he’s scared of me. He’s run, run, run.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic official weigh-in results:

Hamzah Sheeraz - 167.9lbs
Alem Begic - 166.9lbs

[steve689]

Begic looks horrific on paper and not much better on YouTube. I don’t give him any more than three or four rounds if Sheeraz is in a ruthless mood.

[SeanBrennan]

Begic looks horrific on paper and not much better on YouTube. I don’t give him any more than three or four rounds if Sheeraz is in a ruthless mood.

Agreed he walks through him and stops him in 3

[TheLeprechaun]

Hamzah should win but you never know how tough these unbeaten fighters are. If I haven't seen a guy visibly hurt, I'm reluctant to pick him to get KO'd. Seen too many instances of a guy showing insane durability. Take Sam Noakes vs Abdulla Mason for example. I knew he'd get mullered but you couldn't possibly have expected him to show that kind of durability. I remember Badou Jack took on a no hoper called McLernon. I've never seen a guy take so many flush right hands in a fight and go the distance. You never know what to expect in terms of toughness when there are a lot of very powerful substances out there that pretty much all fighters take.

[margaret thatcher]

Hamzah should win but you never know how tough these unbeaten fighters are. If I haven't seen a guy visibly hurt, I'm reluctant to pick him to get KO'd. Seen too many instances of a guy showing insane durability. Take Sam Noakes vs Abdulla Mason for example. I knew he'd get mullered but you couldn't possibly have expected him to show that kind of durability. I remember Badou Jack took on a no hoper called McLernon. I've never seen a guy take so many flush right hands in a fight and go the distance. You never know what to expect in terms of toughness when there are a lot of very powerful substances out there that pretty much all fighters take.

the 40 year old self promoted can crushers out of germany NEVER turn out to be good or refreshingly tough. they are reliable losers who build up these paper records to cash out in pitiful mismatches. this has been a growing thing in the german scene, where guys originally from the balkans or albania (belgem is bosnian) come over and build up these absolutely terrible big unbeaten records, often promoting many of their own fights, maybe cuz no one else wants to take them on

this isnt some unbeaten young mexican whose been fighting men since they were a kid and comes with 100 percent ambition

if belgem isnt crushed by stoppage i'll by very surprised

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Night!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Begic Ready To Seize Long-Awaited Moment To Shine Against Sheeraz

Alem Begic promised to seize his surprise shot at a world title.

Begic will face Hamzah Sheeraz for the vacant WBO super middleweight belt Saturday night at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt as part of the show headlined by Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven. The matchup will serve as the co-main event on DAZN Pay-Per-View ($59.99 in the U.S.; £24.99 in the UK) and for subscribers to DAZN’s Ultimate plan ($49.99 in the U.S.; £24.99 in the UK).

Begic (29-0-1, 23 KOs), a 39-year-old contender from Munich, Germany, has fought obscure opposition throughout his 12-year career, which has mostly unfolded away from the bright lights in Germany and Austria. But by virtue of being ranked No. 4 by the WBO, Begic, who will fight in just his second 12-rounder, will get his first crack at a crown in what undoubtedly appears to be a tall task in the surging Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs).

“I’m ready and happy to be here on this stage,” Begic said during a press conference Thursday. “Hamzah is a world-class talent and boxer. He’s the future of boxing. Believe it or not, love him or hate him, he will definitely be a world champion one day.

“But from my side, Saturday will be my moment to shine because I have worked so hard over the years to get the opportunity to be here. I’m excited to share the ring with Hamzah. I never could imagine performing on this stage, in this beautiful place on this card, supporting alongside top, elite fighters, and sitting next to Eddie Hearn, the king of banter.”

The banter regarding the bout is that Begic, a +1000 underdog, should be steamrolled by Sheeraz, a 20-1 betting favorite.

Begic is in position for the pitting because Diego Pacheco passed on a WBO-ordered fight against Sheeraz in January, shortly after former undisputed super middleweight champion Terence Crawford retired following his win against Canelo Alvarez.

By February, the WBO approved Sheeraz-Begic, despite Jacob Bank’s emphatic stoppage win against William Scull for a secondary WBO title. Bank is ranked No. 3 by the WBO, Sheeraz is second and Alvarez is first.

Begic is not rated in The Ring’s top 10 at 168 pounds and is looking to best a third straight unbeaten opponent. But Sheeraz is nowhere near the same stratosphere as David Kerkmann and Mahdi Safdari, who Begic beat by second-round technical knockout last time out in April 2025.

The 26-year-old, 6-foot-3 Sheeraz will enjoy a 13-year advantage in youth and four inches in height. Sheeraz, ranked No. 10 by The Ring at super middleweight, is also coming in with a world of confidence after blasting Edgar Berlanga during his division debut in July.

“Everything I do [he won’t be able to handle],” Sheeraz said. “Listen, when it comes to fight week, and you see your opponent, everyone is confident when they see me because I’m not really an intimidating-looking fella. I am skin and bones, but as soon as you get in the ring, it’s a different story. He’ll find out Saturday night, for sure.

“This is what dreams are made of, to capture my first world title – it’s timing. The stars are aligning. It’s a meant-to-be-moment. Let’s make history.”

[Heldenjaeger]

Another fight that perfectly sums up everything wrong with boxing. Begic should be nowhere near a title shot. Three fights ago he was fighting his manager’s younger brother. His resume is an absolute joke and he hasn’t faced anyone remotely credible.

But 29-0 with 23 KOs looks nice on a graphic, so now he’s being used as a handpicked opponent to gift Sheeraz a title.

Fights like this are why it’s hard to take boxing seriously as a sport.