BoxRec

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

MightyWarrior wrote: ↑16 Jul 2026, 01:57 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.