The short version
- Hamzah Sheeraz has voluntarily given up his WBO super-middleweight title after withdrawing from a scheduled mandatory fight against Janibek Alimkhanuly.
- The decision follows a purse bid won by Sheeraz's promoters, Queensberry, which had planned to stage the bout in late 2026.
- Alimkhanuly remains a controversial figure due to a prior doping violation that resulted in a suspended ban before he was reinstated as mandatory challenger.
Hamzah Sheeraz, the undefeated British boxer who holds the WBO super-middleweight championship, has officially withdrawn from his next scheduled fight and relinquished his title. The World Boxing Organization confirmed on Friday that Sheeraz’s promotional team, Queensberry Promotions, submitted formal written notice electing not to proceed with the mandatory bout against Janibek Alimkhanuly. This move effectively ends Sheeraz’s reign as champion, a status he secured after defeating Alem Begic in May and successfully defending it against Simon Zachenhuber in July.
The path to this outcome began earlier in the week when a purse bid was conducted to determine who would host the mandatory fight. Queensberry emerged victorious with a bid of $1,001,809, narrowly edging out Top Rank, which offered $850,000. The winning promoters had initially planned to organize the event for either November 28 or December 5, with potential venues including London, Birmingham, and New York. However, just days after securing the hosting rights, Sheeraz’s camp reversed course, opting out of the obligation entirely.
Gustavo Olivieri, president of the WBO, acknowledged the decision in a public statement, noting that the organization respects the choice made by Sheeraz and his team. Olivieri emphasized that the door remains open for the British fighter in the future and expressed wishes for his continued success. The WBO World Championship Committee is scheduled to issue an official ruling on Monday regarding the status of the super-middleweight division and how the championship will be handled moving forward.
The withdrawal has sparked immediate reactions from those involved, particularly from Alimkhanuly’s camp. Egis Klimas, manager for the Kazakh boxer, took to social media to criticize Sheeraz’s decision, suggesting that fear played a role in the withdrawal. Klimas commented on attributes that cannot be trained, such as chin and courage, and expressed disappointment in what he described as an ashamed exit from the title picture. Meanwhile, Sheeraz’s manager, Spencer Brown, has been contacted for comment but had not provided one at the time of reporting.
The controversy surrounding this matchup is deeply rooted in Alimkhanuly’s recent history with anti-doping regulations. The 33-year-old fighter tested positive for meldonium last December, shortly before a scheduled defense of his WBO and IBF middleweight titles. While the IBF stripped him of their belt, the WBO imposed a one-year suspension but allowed him to retain their title. In July, the WBO terminated this suspension early and designated Alimkhanuly as the mandatory challenger for Sheeraz’s super-middleweight crown, a move that drew significant criticism.
Sheeraz had previously voiced strong objections to the WBO’s handling of Alimkhanuly’s reinstatement. In an August interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, he described the organization’s actions as disgraceful to the sport of boxing and dismissed the situation as a joke. His public stance highlighted concerns about fairness and integrity within the sanctioning body’s decision-making process. These tensions appear to have contributed to the ultimate breakdown in negotiations for the mandatory bout.
Sheeraz enters this chapter with an impressive professional record of 24 wins and one draw, having never suffered a loss in the ring. His rise to the super-middleweight title was marked by decisive victories and a reputation for resilience. However, the decision to vacate the belt marks a significant shift in his career trajectory. By stepping away from the mandatory obligation, he avoids a fight that many viewed as contentious due to the opponent’s doping history.
The implications of this withdrawal extend beyond the two fighters involved. The WBO now faces the task of determining the future of its super-middleweight division without a reigning champion. The upcoming committee meeting on Monday will be crucial in establishing whether the title will be declared vacant, awarded through a tournament, or assigned to another contender. This situation underscores the complex dynamics between promoters, sanctioning bodies, and athletes in modern professional boxing.
As the boxing world awaits the WBO’s official ruling, attention turns to how this development affects the broader landscape of the sport. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining consistency and trust within regulatory frameworks. For Sheeraz, the decision represents a strategic retreat from a controversial matchup, while for Alimkhanuly, it leaves his path to a title shot uncertain despite his mandatory status.
The resolution of this matter will likely influence how future mandatory bouts are negotiated and enforced. Stakeholders across the industry are watching closely to see if the WBO’s handling of this situation sets a precedent for similar disputes. Until then, the super-middleweight division remains in flux, with no clear champion and multiple potential contenders vying for attention.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC Sport↗Sheeraz withdraws from next bout & gives up WBO title
