Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Simon Zachenhuber | DAZN - 25 July 2026

[MPW]

Four months ago I was pretty high on Zachenhuber's abilities, but then came that April debacle against late replacement Pawel August. He followed that up with an expected-to-win effort against Euro-level Ajrulai, but I'm still not convinced Zachenhuber poses a serious threat to Sheeraz.

August, on the other hand, is fighting another undefeated boxer in Bank, who probably should have gotten the WBO title shot instead of the once-beaten German. I will be curious to see how this one plays out. I'm leaning toward Bank, but, for what it's worth, I didn't think August was going to defeat Zachenhuber either.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Simon Zachenhuber, Josh Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko join Joshua vs Prenga

Two world title fights are on tap for July 25th in Jeddah

Less than two weeks before fight night, Matchroom has added a pair of world title fights to their Anthony Joshua vs Kristaps Prenga in Jeddah.

Hamzah Sheeraz (23-0-1, 19 KO), last seen mauling Alem Begic in May for the vacant WBO super middleweight belt left behind by Terence Crawford, will make his inaugural defense against no. 7 Simon Zachenhuber (29-1, 18 KO). Despite the pretty record, Zachenhuber is just three months removed from dropping a six-rounder to Pawel August, who also appears on the undercard opposite undefeated Jacob Bank.

Why they didn’t just have Sheeraz fight Bank, who sits at no. 2 in the rankings behind Canelo Alvarez, is beyond me. Perhaps they’re letting it marinate.

In a matchup that figures to be at least marginally more competitive, Josh Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KO) puts his IBF super welterweight title on the line against Caoimhin Agyarko (18-0, 7 KO). Kelly upset reigning champion Bakhram Murtazaliev in January, finally reaching the projected heights of his pre-Avanesyan career, while Ireland’s Agyarko survived some gnarly swelling to edge out Ishmael Davis last September.

Other fighters of note include top super featherweight prospect Reito Tsutsumi alongside Olympians Oleksandr Khyzhniak and Nishant Dev.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga: 13-fight card set for July 25

A pair of world title defenses lead the undercard for Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga on July 25.

WBO super middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz will defend his title for the first time against Simon Zachenhuber, while IBF 154-pound titleholder Josh Kelly makes his first title defense when he faces Caoimhin Agyarko. The card will take place at Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and will stream live on DAZN.

Turki Alalshikh announced the undercard on social media Monday.

Sheeraz (23-0-1, 19 KOs) won the then-vacant WBO title with a dominant second-round stoppage of Alem Begic on May 23 in Egypt. Sheeraz, 27, is The Ring’s No. 9-ranked super middleweight.

Germany’s Zachenhuber (28-1, 19 KOs), who is ranked No. 7 by the WBO at super middleweight, will be making a rapid turnaround, as he’s coming off a fifth-round stoppage of Armin Ajrulai.

Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs) upset Bakhram Murtazaliev by majority decision to win the IBF title on January 31. Kelly is The Ring’s No. 6-ranked junior middleweight and could be positioned for a unification bout with unified titleholder Jaron “Boots” Ennis with a win. Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs) last fought on September 13, beating Ishmael Davis by split decision.

Ascending Japanese prospect Reito Tsutsumi will fight for the first time in 2026 when he faces Alvino Herrera. Flyweight Mikie Tallon is back in action against Orlando Pino.


Full card

Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga
Hamzah Sheeraz (C) vs. Simon Zachenhuber (WBO super middleweight title)
Josh Kelly (C) vs. Caoimhin Agyarko (IBF junior middleweight title)
Reito Tsutsumi (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Alvino Herrera (18-0-2, 11 KOs) - 129 pounds - 10 rounds
Oleksandr Khyzhniak (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Lenny Patrach (8-0-1, 5 KOs) - 176 pounds - 8 rounds
Mikie Tallon (14-0, 3 KOs) vs. Orlando Pino (17-3, 11 KOs) - 114 pounds - 8 rounds
Nishant Dev (6-0, 4 KOs) vs. Cesar Diaz (10-2, 5 KOs) - 154 pounds - 8 rounds
Jacob Bank (19-0, 11 KOs) vs. Pawel August (18-0, 7 KOs) - 170 pounds - 8 rounds
Ziyad Almaayouf (7-1-1, 1 KO) vs. Frank Mango (8-1, 5 KOs) - 144 pounds - 8 rounds
Mohammed Alakel (8-0, 2 KOs) vs. Lydon Chircop (8-4, 4 KOs) - 132 pounds - 6 rounds
Sultan Almohammad (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Efren Besalduch (3-3-1, 1 KO) - 128 pounds - 4 rounds
Omar Hikal (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Brian Castellano (2-1) - 164 pounds - 4 rounds
Mohamed Mabrouk (1-0) vs. Bryan Zapata (5-9-1, 4 KOs) - 140 pounds - 4 rounds

[Ruthless-RKO]

World champions Hamzah Sheeraz and Josh Kelly set to defend titles on Anthony Joshua undercard

World champions Hamzah Sheeraz and Josh Kelly will defend their respective titles on the Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga undercard in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 25.

Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority, confirmed the undercard on Monday.

WBO super middleweight champion Sheeraz (23-0-1, 19 KOs) will face German Simon Zachenhuber in the first defence of his belt. The Brit won his first world title in May, comfortably beating Alem Begic with a Round 2 knockout in Egypt.

Sheeraz has been linked with a potential fight against Canelo Alvarez and has openly called for a fight with the Mexican star. However, Alvarez is set to fight the WBC champion at 168 pounds, Christian Mbilli, in October.

Kelly, the IBF junior middleweight champion, will fight Ireland's Caoimhin Agyarko.

Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs) is on an eight-fight win streak after he stunned Bakhram Murtazaliev in January to win his first world title. The Brit overcame a late knockdown to hand the Russian his first professional defeat as he won on points in Newcastle.

Unbeaten Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs) was set to fight Brandon Adams in a IBF title eliminator earlier this year before it was cancelled at short notice when Adams fell ill before the weigh-in.

The Irishman will now go straight into a world title fight off the back of a win against Ishmael Davis last year.

Should Kelly come through the fight, promoter Eddie Heard has indicated that a unification fight with WBA and WBO champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis, could be on the cards later this year.

Both fighters are represented by Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.

[black panther]

Zachen WHO BRO?

Reminds me of another Bunny promoted WBO Super middle weight champion who was Uber talented but fought far too many WBO no hopers

[MightyWarrior]

Embarrassing For Sheeraz, his worthless belt is like something that came free with a men’s fitness mag, but putting him in with this palooka just reminds everyone of what a paper champ he is.

The daft thing is he’s actually a good fighter but warren’s protecting him like he’s some hopeless stiff.

[MPW]

Embarrassing For Sheeraz, his worthless belt is like something that came free with a men’s fitness mag, but putting him in with this palooka just reminds everyone of what a paper champ he is.

The daft thing is he’s actually a good fighter but warren’s protecting him like he’s some hopeless stiff.

He is a good fighter, possibly an outstanding one, but we may never know if he doesn't actually face a credible challenger. And the way he's presently being matched doesn't provide much optimism that it will happen any time soon, if at all.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!!

[margaret thatcher]

Embarrassing For Sheeraz, his worthless belt is like something that came free with a men’s fitness mag, but putting him in with this palooka just reminds everyone of what a paper champ he is.

The daft thing is he’s actually a good fighter but warren’s protecting him like he’s some hopeless stiff.

He is a good fighter, possibly an outstanding one, but we may never know if he doesn't actually face a credible challenger. And the way he's presently being matched doesn't provide much optimism that it will happen any time soon, if at all.

he is good but i doubt outstanding. we did see him face a world class fighter, and it was a lucky draw. he looked like a front runner who got a bit sulky and didnt cope well with not having things totally his way. he has some solid wins but nothing really amazing that says wow this guy is great and a class above the group of good fighters at 168 like iglesias, mbili, pacheco, martinez, etc

168 has a lot of good fighters , it would be great to see some more face off. we did see mbili-martinez and it was an entertaining and super close fight,,

[CaptainSpacerod]

Embarrassing For Sheeraz, his worthless belt is like something that came free with a men’s fitness mag, but putting him in with this palooka just reminds everyone of what a paper champ he is.

The daft thing is he’s actually a good fighter but warren’s protecting him like he’s some hopeless stiff.

He is a good fighter, possibly an outstanding one, but we may never know if he doesn't actually face a credible challenger. And the way he's presently being matched doesn't provide much optimism that it will happen any time soon, if at all.

he is good but i doubt outstanding. we did see him face a world class fighter, and it was a lucky draw. he looked like a front runner who got a bit sulky and didnt cope well with not having things totally his way. he has some solid wins but nothing really amazing that says wow this guy is great and a class above the group of good fighters at 168 like iglesias, mbili, pacheco, martinez, etc

168 has a lot of good fighters , it would be great to see some more face off. we did see mbili-martinez and it was an entertaining and super close fight,,

Team Hamzah would argue that had he been with Andy Lee for the Adames fight he would've been more pro active when he hit choppy water

[margaret thatcher]

of course the fighters team would find a spin that works for them. putting it on the trainer when you actually just changed the level of your opposition is a classic one. sheeraz looked great without andy lee when he wasnt fighting a world class opponent

[CaptainSpacerod]

He looked better under Lee against Berlanga than he'd ever looked previously.

After this fight we'll see him in with a world class opponent and he'll probably be a strong favourite to win

[margaret thatcher]

seen it so many times, a fighter is 'improved' because they step the opposition down and then get shown up again when they step back up. maybe sheeraz is a different fighter now, but it will take a better opponent for him to prove it. id put berlanga around ammo williams and well below adames.

sheeraz was mullering guys and looking beastly before fighting adames too

no idea why hes fighting such awful opposition now, surely a soaring fighter at his best shouldnt waste time on multiple guys this bad

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sheeraz prioritized activity; defends Zachenhuber title fight

Hamzah Sheeraz is taking heavy criticism for his recent choices of opponents.

The 28-year-old Brit will defend his WBO super middleweight title against Simon Zachenhuber on Saturday night on the Anthony Joshua-Kristian Prenga undercard at Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, streamed live to DAZN Ultimate subscribers and via pay-per-view to non-subscribers.

Zachenhuber (29-1, 18 KOs) lost a six-rounder on points to Pawel August (19-0, 7 KOs) on April 11 in London before beating Armin Ajrulai by technical knockout after four rounds June 28 in Cologne, Germany. The 28-year-old German contender has also never fought an elite-level opponent, nor has he participated in a 12-round fight.

As a result, Sheeraz continues to be chastised. However, the newly crowned champion believes he has a good reason for fighting someone on the level of Zachenhuber.

“I’m staying active, staying ready,” Sheeraz told The Ring. “I had a couple of days off after the last fight [May 23] and then I was straight back into camp again. Just showing that I truly live a champion’s lifestyle.”

In addition to staying fit, Sheeraz (23-0-1, 19 KOs), who stopped Alem Begic in the second round to win the vacant WBO title, wants to avoid the inactivity bug.

“That’s one of the reasons why I took this fight,” Sheeraz continued. “I was out of the ring for so long, the comeback fight lasted 1½ rounds, and then I got the opportunity to fight again. I didn’t fight for 10-11 months before that, so it’s nice to stay active and build up all of that momentum again.”

Sheeraz beat Begic almost nine weeks ago, on the Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven undercard at Pyramids of Giza in Giza, Egypt. The Ring’s No. 9-ranked super middleweight doesn’t see the problem with facing lesser opposition because this is such a quick turnaround.

For those who do have an issue with it, he simply wants you to take a look at his resume, particularly when he fought Edgar Berlanga a year ago.

“When I took the Berlanga fight, they were saying it was too much too soon,” Sheeraz said. “And now I have the opportunity to stay busy and stay active. It’s like they want you to take continuous back-to-back hard fights, which I don’t mind to be fair. My world title fight was meant to be against Diego Pacheco, but he didn’t want it, so you fight the next in line.”

In one of the biggest nights of his life, Sheeraz made it look easy against Berlanga, stopping him in the fifth round at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York.

Sheeraz and Pacheco were mandated to fight for the vacant WBO title several months later. However, Pacheco (26-0, 19 KOs) admitted that he wasn’t ready for their bout and withdrew from the purse bid process.

The 25-year-old Los Angeles native stopped Immanuwel Aleem (22-5-3, 14 KOs) in the 11th round Saturday night. He said afterward that he is ready to take on all comers.

In the end, whether it’s Pacheco, his mandatory challenger, Jacob Bank, or a higher-profile fighter, Sheeraz expects his next bout to be against a quality opponent. Interestingly, Denmark’s Bank (19-0, 11 KOs) will fight the Polish-born, England-based August (19-0, 7 KOs) on the Joshua-Prenga undercard.

“I’m sure after this there will be a big one,” Sheeraz said. “I reckon I’ll hopefully get a unification or my mandatory, Jacob Bank, will be ordered and that’s a good fight as well.”

[Cent0089]

seen it so many times, a fighter is 'improved' because they step the opposition down and then get shown up again when they step back up. maybe sheeraz is a different fighter now, but it will take a better opponent for him to prove it. id put berlanga around ammo williams and well below adames.

sheeraz was mullering guys and looking beastly before fighting adames too

no idea why hes fighting such awful opposition now, surely a soaring fighter at his best shouldnt waste time on multiple guys this bad

He will scream Canelo payday after this, but will be very silent about Adames or any other serious guy at 168.

[MPW]

With three fights in the past year or so, I admit that I like that Sheeraz is staying busy, which is something many fighters - especially champions - don't do. However, that trio of SMW fights haven't exactly been against a murderer's row of top-flight contenders (Berlanga to test the waters, Begic to win the title, and Zachenhuber for his first defense this Saturday). After this weekend, I think he definitely needs to up the level of competition he's facing.

[SeanBrennan]

He’s talented but been gifted a belt and thus won’t be a test at all. He should have a loss and a DQ on his record. But he’s a Saudi ambassador (whatever that means) so will coast through easy lanes.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Bank blasts Sheeraz's 'easy' title defense, hopes to deliver statement

Super middleweight contender Jacob Bank hoped to get the next shot at Hamzah Sheeraz's WBO world title.

While the two will share a spot on the Anthony Joshua-Kristian Prenga undercard, their meeting will have to wait.

Bank, The Ring's No. 8-rated super middleweight, will instead face unbeaten Pawel August on Saturday at Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

"I'm staying patient because I know my opportunity will come," Bank (19-0, 11 KOs) told The Ring.

"Right now, my full focus is on winning my own fight in convincing fashion. If everything goes according to plan, I believe the fight with Hamzah is only a matter of time."

The Danish fighter welcomes the opportunity to face his upset-minded opponent, who is coming off a big win of his own earlier this year. "He put in a very impressive performance in April when he defeated Simon Zachenhuber, so I know exactly what kind of challenge he brings," he said. "He's a very solid all-round boxer, technically well-schooled and experienced. If I'm not fully focused, he's the kind of opponent who can make things difficult.

"But I also see this as the perfect opportunity to show the boxing world that I'm ready to take over this division. If I stick to the game plan and perform the way I know I can, I'm confident I can get him out of there before the final bell. A strong performance should move me one big step closer to a world title shot."

The 25-year-old is enjoying a breakout year thus far, with stoppage victories over former IBF titleholder William Scull (KO12) in January and then dismantling Paulinus Ndjolonimu in five rounds three months later.

The belief is that staying in the gym and active is reaping its own rewards.

"This will be my third fight of the year,” he said. "It's a huge advantage, especially compared to some of the top names in the division, including Hamzah.

"That activity keeps me sharp and constantly improving, so when my world title opportunity comes — hopefully later this year — I'll be more than ready."

Bank, who has trained at home and sparred with compatriot Oliver Zaren as well as Britain's Troy Williamson, couldn't help taking a dig at Sheeraz but feels a win in his own fight will solidify his position within the WBO.

"Hamzah is defending his WBO title against Simon Zachenhuber, while I'm facing the man who beat Zachenhuber back in April. That speaks for itself," he said plainly.

"My goal is to make a statement and leave no doubt that I belong at the very top of the division. Hopefully, after this event, Hamzah and allegedly will be ready to make the fight happen.

"As far as I'm concerned, I expect the WBO to make me the mandatory challenger after Hamzah has had the opportunity to make an easy voluntary title defense. I'll be ready whenever that call comes."

August (18-0, 7 KOs) is Polish-born but has lived in the UK for the entirety of his decade-long professional career. The 31-year-old toiled on small hall shows waiting for his opportunity which came as a late substitute against Zachenhuber on the Tyson Fury-Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard on April 11. He made the most of his chance, scoring a six-round points decision (58-56).

[CaptainSpacerod]

With three fights in the past year or so, I admit that I like that Sheeraz is staying busy, which is something many fighters - especially champions - don't do. However, that trio of SMW fights haven't exactly been against a murderer's row of top-flight contenders (Berlanga to test the waters, Begic to win the title, and Zachenhuber for his first defense this Saturday). After this weekend, I think he definitely needs to up the level of competition he's facing.

If Callum Simpson wins his rematch with Troy impressively, Sheeraz could give him a shot. It'd be a fun fight.

[Taansend]

Assuming Hamzah gets past this bloke I'd be happy with the winner of Simpson v Williamson or Jacob Bank next, especially if it's this year.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Simon Zachenhuber weigh-in results:

Hamzah Sheeraz - 167.8 lbs
Simon Zachenhuber - 166.6 lbs

All set for their WBO super middleweight title fight in Jeddah

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Night!

[MPW]

Assuming Hamzah gets past this bloke I'd be happy with the winner of Simpson v Williamson or Jacob Bank next, especially if it's this year.

I agree with your sentiment and would like to see him fight either one, as well. But knowing that boxing often times can't get out of its own way, I could see Williamson-Simpson ending in a contentious draw and August upsetting Bank, which would give us Sheeraz making his second defense against some unheralded, who-the-heck-is-that fighter from the fourth page of BoxRec's SMW rankings.

[Taansend]

Assuming Hamzah gets past this bloke I'd be happy with the winner of Simpson v Williamson or Jacob Bank next, especially if it's this year.

I agree with your sentiment and would like to see him fight either one, as well. But knowing that boxing often times can't get out of its own way, I could see Williamson-Simpson ending in a contentious draw and August upsetting Bank, which would give us Sheeraz making his second defense against some unheralded, who-the-heck-is-that fighter from the fourth page of BoxRec's SMW rankings.

Hopefully next year is the year all the Champions meet

[margaret thatcher]

He looked better under Lee against Berlanga than he'd ever looked previously.

After this fight we'll see him in with a world class opponent and he'll probably be a strong favourite to win

did not look this wildly improved fighter tonight at all