Frank Warren has confirmed that Hamzah Sheeraz will box for a world championship on the huge Riyadh Season card that is being planned for February 22.
Sheeraz has cemented himself as a leading contender at middleweight with two stoppage victories against Austin Williams and Tyler Denny.
Those wins secured Sheeraz’s position as mandatory challenger to WBO and IBF 160-pound champion, Janibek Alimkhanuly. The two were ordered by the WBO to come to an agreement for a bout by October 23, but an extension was granted until November 11.
Now, Sheeraz’s promoter, Warren, looks to have hinted that a deal has been made between the two and named the Riyadh Season card in February as a home for the contest.
“His next fight will be for the world title,” Warren told BoxingScene. “When we announce it, you will [get a name]. He will be fighting in February for a world title.
The event in February is expected to also feature IBF heavyweight titlist Daniel Dubois’ first fight since his destructive performance against Anthony Joshua. A rematch between Dubois and Joshua was originally being planned but Joshua’s team, amid rumors of an injury, have said their man won’t be ready for February, leading Warren to look for other options.
“I hope Daniel Dubois will be on that show,” he said. “The February show is going to be something special. Riyadh Season on the 21st of December is exceptional and we are kicking off next year with something that’s going to be phenomenal.
“We were looking to do the rematch, but I don’t believe that’s going to happen. We are looking at various options – whoever it is, it will be a big, big fight.”
Joseph Parker established himself as a heavyweight deserving of a title shot with his victories over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. His trainer, Andy Lee, declared his fighter would be ready for Dubois on the February date.
“If I was Joseph Parker, I’d be throwing my name into the hat,” said Warren. “They all want this fight, and he’d be a great opponent. There’s about three or four names, as I said, we’ll make that decision.”