Hamzah Sheeraz vs Edgar Berlanga Preview
Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz clash in a huge WBC super-middleweight title eliminator on July 12th at the Louis Armstrong Stadium. The bout has the potential to be a show-stealer between two rising stars of the division.
This will be Sheeraz’s debut at 168lbs while Berlanga is seasoned against elite competition in the division. Can he give Sheeraz a rude awakening in his new weight class, or will it be a winning start for the British fighter?
Hamzah Sheeraz vs Edgar Berlanga Predictions
Fight Prediction: Hamzah Sheeraz via decision
One of our best boxing predictions this week is for Hamzah Sheeraz to defeat Edgar Berlanga in New York City. This looks like a very tight fight on paper between two rising stars. However, Sheeraz brings more depth, control, and composure to the ring. That should be the difference on Saturday night and allow the Brit to maintain his undefeated record.
Sheeraz experienced a remarkable rise as a middleweight in a relatively short period. His stiff jab and devastating straight right have punished opponents, and his tall, rangy frame makes him a nightmare to deal with. All of those attributes will be important against Berlanga, as will his patience. Expect Sheeraz to use his height and reach advantage to keep Berlanga at range early, forcing the American to lunge and overcommit. If he can maintain that control through the first half of the fight, the openings will come.
The key for Sheeraz will be avoiding unnecessary firefights in the opening rounds. Berlanga will look to turn this into a brawl. The Chosen One is dangerous from round one and will waste no time trying to get Sheeraz out early. He famously ended his first 16 pro fights in the first round. Berlanga will cut off the ring, crowd Sheeraz, and land heavy hooks inside. If the Brit can weather that early storm and keep Berlanga turning, he’ll start breaking him down with clean counters, especially to the body. Sheeraz’s timing and shot selection have only improved with each fight, and he has shown he carries his power late.
Berlanga is still a powerful and proven super-middleweight who has operated at this level far longer than the Brit. Sheeraz is moving up from middleweight, and while he has the frame to carry 168 comfortably, it remains to be seen how his power, durability, and speed translate in a heavier division. Berlanga is naturally bigger, and he’ll look to impose that physicality early. If Sheeraz can’t command respect with his jab or struggles to hold position in the clinch, Berlanga will sense vulnerability and try to bully him.
There’s also the matter of Sheeraz’s last outing. He laboured to a split draw with Carlos Adames and can be considered very lucky not to have a loss on his record. That bout exposed some defensive lapses and raised questions about how he handles elite-level power. Berlanga, with his size and explosiveness, could be an even tougher challenge in that department. For Sheeraz, this fight is not just about stepping up in weight; it’s about proving that he truly belongs at the world level.
The deeper this goes, the more it favours Sheeraz. Berlanga’s output tends to dip, and his defensive flaws become more pronounced as fatigue sets in. That’s when Sheeraz, still fresh and calculating, can push the pace and look for a finish. A late flurry or perfectly timed counter could end it.
This is a step up for both men, but Sheeraz appears to be the more complete fighter. Expect a competitive first half, followed by a shift in momentum as Sheeraz takes over. We’re picking the unbeaten Londoner to score the biggest win of his career and stop Berlanga in the final quarter of the fight.
Hamzah Sheeraz vs Edgar Berlanga Fight Outcome
This fight sees a clash between two powerful and precise punchers. Berlanga will aim to turn this into a firefight, swarm Sheeraz early, and test his chin at super-middleweight. If the Brit can’t gain Berlanga’s respect quickly, the early rounds could be dangerous.
However, Sheeraz is the more refined boxer. Look for him to keep things long, work behind the jab, and frustrate Berlanga with his timing and movement. As the fight settles, Sheeraz’s composure and cleaner shot selection should start to shine. Berlanga tends to fade when he can’t dominate, and Sheeraz will take advantage of that with a steady, patient approach. That will be enough in the later rounds to pull ahead on the cards and potentially secure a late finish.
Hamzah Sheeraz vs Edgar Berlanga Betting Tips
- Fight Result – Hamzah Sheeraz to win: The boxing betting odds are tight between these men, but Sheeraz is the favourite. He is undefeated, and the move up to 168 should be more of a help than a hindrance. Back the British fighter to continue his undefeated streak, worth 4/6. Berlanga is worth 21/20 for anyone who thinks he can cause the upset.
- Method of Victory – Hamzah Sheeraz via KO/TKO: This is our best value bet. Berlanga fades down the stretch and becomes more vulnerable when forced to chase the fight. If Sheeraz is still fresh in the late rounds, he could turn up the volume and walk Berlanga onto a sharp counter. He carries his power late, and if the pace gets too much for the New Yorker, a stoppage isn’t out of the question. Bet on Sheeraz to win via KO/TKO, worth 3/1.
- Grouped Round Betting – Hamzah Sheeraz to Win in Rounds 7-12: If you’re backing Sheeraz for a stoppage, the second half of the fight is where it’s most likely to happen. Berlanga tends to fade after the midway point, and that’s when Sheeraz’s accuracy, patience, and body work can start breaking him down. The Brit always has something in the tank and the tools to exploit a slowing opponent. Sheeraz to win in rounds 7-12 is worth 11/2 with our online sportsbook.
Hamzah Sheeraz vs Edgar Berlanga Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Edgar Berlanga’s Recent Form
Edgar Berlanga is a dangerous and explosive contender at 168 pounds, with a record of 23-1 (18 KOs). Nicknamed “The Chosen One,” he burst onto the scene with a stunning run of 16 first-round knockouts to start his professional career. Though that streak is now behind him, Berlanga remains a serious puncher with the size, strength, and aggression to test anyone in the division.
In recent fights, Berlanga has shown signs of maturity, boxing more patiently and relying less on raw power. Wins over the likes of Jason Quigley and Steve Rolls demonstrated his ability to go rounds while still landing heavy shots. His first professional defeat came at the hands of Canelo Alvarez in a high-stakes bout that exposed the gap between contender and elite.
Berlanga started aggressively but struggled to land cleanly against Canelo’s slick defence and sharp counters. As the rounds wore on, Alvarez took control, outclassing Berlanga with ring IQ and bodywork en route to a clear unanimous decision victory. It was a humbling step up that showed Berlanga is still developing at the top level.
Berlanga’s Previous Five Fights
- Win: Jonathan González Ortiz via KO (RD 1)
- Loss: Canelo Alvarez via Unanimous Decision
- Win: Padraig McCrory via TKO (RD 6)
- Win: Jason Quigley via Unanimous Decision
- Win: Roamer Alexis Angulo via Unanimous Decision
Hamzah Sheeraz’s Recent Form
Hamzah Sheeraz has emerged as one of Britain’s most exciting boxing prospects, boasting an unbeaten record of 21-0-1 (17 KOs). The 6’3″ Londoner has impressed with his composure, shot selection, and clinical finishing ability, dismantling opponents with a stiff jab and devastating straight right. Originally fighting at middleweight, this bout marks his official move up to the super-middleweight division and a step up in both weight and class.
Sheeraz’s recent run has included highlight-reel knockouts and controlled, mature performances, showing his development as a complete fighter. However, his most recent bout was a reality check. While some felt he was fortunate to escape with his undefeated record intact after a split draw with Carlos Adames, it was also a valuable learning experience.
He switched his camp up following the disappointment, now working with Andy Lee. Lee has coached some of the best boxers of all time, and we could now see even further improvement from the rising star. Now, Sheeraz looks to bounce back by making a statement against Berlanga in enemy territory.
Sheeraz’s Previous Five Fights
- Draw: Carlos Adames via Split Draw
- Won: Tyler Denny via TKO (RD 2)
- Won: Austin Williams via TKO (RD 11)
- Won: Liam Williams via TKO (RD 1)
- Won: Dmytro Mytrofanov via TKO (RD 2)
