Hamzah Sheeraz vs Edgar Berlanga fight preview, odds, tale of the tape, prediction
Hamzah Sheeraz vs Edgar Berlanga fight preview
England's Hamzah Sheeraz and Puerto Rico's Edgar Berlanga are all set to square off on Saturday night, July 12, in a WBC super-middleweight final eliminator in New York, live on DAZN.
Frank Warren's rising British star Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0-1, 17 KOs) makes his debut at super-middleweight.
26-year-old Sheeraz made a name for himself at 160-pounds as one of the UK’s brightest and strongest prospects, but it remains to be seen if his power carries up to the division above.
After reaching 21-0, the Berkshire-born boxer landed a WBC world middleweight title shot at the champion, Carlos Adames, in February, but was awarded with a bit of a fortunate draw decision.
It was evident from his performance that the need to move up a class had arrived.
Standing across from him is Edgar Berlanga (23-1, 18 KO’s), a fighter who brings raw aggression, concussive power, and a reputation for fast starts.
Now 28, "The Chosen One" made headlines with his incredible streak of 16 consecutive first-round knockouts. Five unanimous decisions followed on from that, then he was widely defeated by four-weight world champion Canelo in September 2024.
He bounced back in March with another trademark first-round KO, taking his ratio up to 78%.
Edgar Berlanga
Record: 23-1, 18 KOs
Age: 28
Height: 6ft1
Reach: 73”
Weight: Super-middleweight
Stance: Orthodox
Hamzah Sheeraz
Record: 21-0-1, 17 KOs
Age: 26
Height: 6ft3
Reach: 75”
Weight: Super-middleweight
Stance: Orthodox
Fight Preview
Berlanga is a fast-starter and will inevitably try to engage Sheeraz in a shootout very early on.
The Brit is more of a skilful technician, opting to box behind his long levers at range. He will need to use his reach advantage to the fullest to keep the power-puncher at bay. His ramrod jab is rangy and commanding, it will likely be his best weapon against the Puerto Rican. If he can get his jab going, he can maintain control the range and tempo of the fight.
If he can frustrate with his footwork, feints, and angles, he could force Berlanga to make mistakes, where he could land the more telling shots.
Canelo dropped Berlanga in their fight but was unable to finish him off, so the once-beaten boxer has more than proved his toughness and heart.
Berlanga is the natural super-middleweight so cutting off the ring and being bullish will work best for him. Forcing Sheeraz into fight will play into his hands.
Sheeraz should appear to be more comfortable at this weight, but we haven't yet seen him at 168lbs so we don't know how well he can take or deliver a punch.
If this becomes a boxing fight, Sheeraz will have the advantage, but if it becomes a war, then it's Berlanga's fight to win or lose.
Betting Odds
4/5 Hamzah Sheeraz
13/10 Edgar Berlanga
16/1 Draw
Prediction
I'm going to back the Brit because he is one of the most skilful, technical and powerful boxers we've got at the moment. He isn't just a one-trick pony, he's got an assortment of skills to draw upon.
I'm going to pick Sheeraz to win on points.
