Formidable puncher Hamzah Sheeraz has emerged as a top contender for the middleweight world champions, calling out both Janibek Alimkhanuly and Carlos Adames.
The 25-year-old remains unbeaten with an 80 percent knockout ratio, coming off a destructive two-round demolition over fellow countryman Tyler Denny.
But it was his fight before Denny, against previously undefeated American Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, which really catapulted the Brit into the limelight.
The clash took place on Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren’s 5v5 showdown, with Sheeraz claiming a dominant 11th round stoppage to seal a comprehensive victory for Queensberry Promotions.
Marquis Taylor targets a UK showdown with Hamzah Sheeraz
The British boxing fraternity has always recognized the talent and skill of Sheeraz, but only now is he beginning to command the attention of American fight fans.
And so, Texas-born middleweight Marquis Taylor, who is trained by two-time world champion Shawn Porter, knows that a win over Sheeraz would give him ample credibility when calling out the world champions at 160 lbs.
“[Sheeraz] is solid,” Taylor told Bloody Knockout. “I’m not going to be challenged until I fight guys like that. Anybody else you put me in the ring with, I’m going to run through them.
“For there to be a challenge, I’m going to have to fight world class guys, so those are the fights we’re trying to get to.
“I would make sure I’m in crazy dog shape [for the Sheeraz fight]. When I enter the ring and execute my style, I usually come out on top.
“I’d definitely fight him in the UK. I’m going to leave there with hella UK fans. Everywhere I go, people fall in love with the way I fight.”
How Marquis Taylor would fare against middleweight champions Janibek Alimkhanuly, Carlos Adames and Erislandy Lara
A showdown between Sheeraz and Taylor would certainly make for a compelling clash of styles, with the American looking to negate the Brit’s aggression with his slick defensive maneuvers.
But before emerging as a world level operator, Taylor cultivated his reputation as ‘the 0 snatcher’, amassing several victories against highly-touted prospects.
Soon, he began to make a habit of upsetting the apple cart, with his career-best win arriving against fearsome Cuban Yoelvis Gomez on the undercard of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
But now, the 30-year-old remains laser focused on securing a world title fight, looking to use Sheeraz as a springboard to realize his ultimate ambition.
| WBC | WBO and IBF | WBA |
| Carlos Adames | Janibek Alimkhanuly | Erislandy Lara |
Out of the three world champions, Alimkhanuly is widely regarded as the top dog, with his technical performances typically culminating in brutal fashion.
Still, with Adames and Erislandy Lara representing stern assignments too, Taylor will have no easy touch when his monumental opportunity eventually comes to fruition.