In New York, Hamza Sheeraz dominated Edgar Berlanga in the main event of Ring Magazine 3 at Louis Armstrong Stadium, scoring two knockdowns before securing his fifth TKO victory. The bout, charged with intense rivalry, took place in Berlanga’s home territory, but Sheeraz controlled the fight from the start, winning the early rounds with superior technique. In the fourth round, Sheeraz unleashed a precise combination that put Berlanga on the canvas. Despite Berlanga’s resilience, Sheeraz continued his assault in the fifth, delivering a left hook followed by a powerful right hand to knock Berlanga down once more, ending the fight swiftly at the 17-second mark.
Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) was attempting to climb back into title contention after a unanimous decision loss to Canelo Alvarez last September. He had convincingly defeated Jonathan Ortiz earlier this year to earn this matchup. Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) moved up to super middleweight after a tough split draw with WBC middleweight champion Carlos, citing the difficulty of making weight. Guided by coach Andy Lee, Sheeraz executed sharp combinations and maintained precise jabs throughout the fight to control Berlanga.
Notably, the Compubox stats revealed that while Berlanga landed 38.7% of his punches, Sheeraz was slightly behind in accuracy at 38.3%, but he threw and landed more power punches, which ultimately decided the fight. This tactical mastery and physical dominance showcased Sheeraz’s readiness to make a significant impact in the super middleweight division.
Fan Take: This victory solidifies Hamza Sheeraz as a rising force in the super middleweight ranks, signaling a potential shift in the division’s landscape. Fighting fans should watch closely, as Sheeraz’s skill and power could soon position him for a major title shot, bringing fresh excitement to the sport.
