A British boxing star touted as the biggest threat to Canelo Alvarez has left an iconic trainer awestruck with his punching power, it seems.
Putting his undisputed super middleweight title on the line in just weeks’ time, Mexican star Canelo Alvarez will return to face the undefeated Terence Crawford in one of the most anticipated blockbuster pairings in recent memory.
And despite his fight with Crawford likely on the forefront of Canelo’s mind, the Jalisco native has already been linked with his next outing to the ring after his clash with the Nebraska native.
So much so, in fact, an unbeaten British ace has been touted as the next star to fight Canelo after Crawford — and one who can actually bring an end to his dominance at super middleweight.
Hamzah Sheeraz shocks Andy Lee with his power
Boasting an unbeaten 22-0-1 professional record, former WBC middleweight championship challenger, Hamzah Sheeraz, has seen his bid to share the ring with Canelo gather substantial pace this month.
Backed as a potential threat to the Mexican star’s throne, Sheeraz was name-dropped by Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn as a future challenger as soon as next year, in fact.
And touted to even stop Canelo if they do share the ring, Sheeraz seems to have put the frighteners on former world champion-turned-coach Andy Lee, who could not believe the power output from the Berkshire native.
“His punching power is truly shocking,” Lee told The Ring. “Hamzah (Sheeraz) can punch like hell. It really took me by surprise. His left hand is — the only way I can describe it is shocking when he hits you on the pads.
“And then when it comes to sparring, I see it every time because these guys get in the ring with all these ideas and then the first jab lands and you see their expression change immediately,” Lee continued.
Canelo Alvarez linked with Diego Pacheco fight
It’s not just Sheeraz who has firmly entered the sweepstakes to fight Canelo next year, however, with 24-year-old upstart Diego Pacheco also viewed as a fresh opponent for the Mexican.
Akin to his own fight with Floyd Mayweather during his initial rise in the sport, Canelo has been tipped to fight Pacheco in a potential changing of the guard moment in the sport.
Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, if Hearn is unable to pit Canelo against Sheeraz — as predicted by former world champion Amir Khan, the Dagenham promoter has voiced his interest in offering Pacheco the super fight.