Hamzah Sheeraz has fast-become a fan favorite after his dominant performances up until his draw with Carlos Adames, but there was one fight that still leaves a bad taste in the mouths of fans.
Since 2019, Hamzah Sheeraz has stopped every opponent he has faced, all 15 of them. That was until Sheeraz drew with Carlos Adames in his first world title attempt.
Sheeraz had previously won the European middleweight title from Tyler Denny, but it was years before that, when Sheeraz defended the European super-welterweight title in 2021, that saw controversy ensue.
Hamzah Sheeraz struck Bradley Skeete while he was down
In 2021, Sheeraz faced Bradley Skeete, a 29-3 fighter who, at the time, had just one win in three years, against a 2-41-1 opponent.
Skeete, who had beaten the likes of Sam Eggington, proved to be a tougher opponent than expected at this stage in his career, and gave Sheeraz all sorts of trouble, with many believing he was ahead in the fight before controversy ensued.
In the eighth round Sheeraz was able to drop Skeete, but was deducted a point after striking him multiple times while he was down on the canvas.
In the ninth round, Skeete was dropped again, and the fight was stopped soon after.
David Haye, who was commentating on the fight, said at the time: “The way it happened is not how Hamzah would’ve liked, he had to land two illegal blows, clean illegal blows, and if Bradley would’ve just stayed on the floor and said ‘I can’t get up my legs are gone’, the referee would’ve waved it off, and he would’ve won by disqualification.”
Bradley Skeete responded to Hamzah Sheeraz’s foul
In an interview with IFL TV, Skeete said after the fight: “I was way up on the scorecards, the only time he caught me properly and hurt me was the back of the head shot and the three when I was down on the floor.”
“I couldn’t even defend myself, that’s a straight disqualification, the ref needs to have a word with himself.”
Skeete retired after the loss. He has not fought since. Sheeraz, who withdrew from a fight with Janibek Alimkhanuly, will face Edgar Berlanga next in his first fight at super-middleweight.