Dsalita BoxingThe boxing world thrives on confrontation, but rarely does a potential matchup reveal so much about the current state of the middleweight division as the brewing showdown between Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz. When Berlanga recently declared that Sheeraz had “no choice” but to accept their clash, he wasn’t just trash talking—he was exposing the harsh economics and unspoken hierarchies of modern prizefighting. This is more than two undefeated prospects colliding; it’s a case study in how the shadow of Canelo Alvarez warps the decisions of every fighter at 160-168 pounds.
The Golden Ticket: Why Everyone Wants a Piece of Canelo
Let’s cut through the bullshit—every middleweight and super middleweight with a pulse is angling for a Canelo payday. The Mexican superstar isn’t just the face of boxing; he’s the entire fucking economy for these weight classes. A single fight with Canelo can generate more revenue than a decade of title defenses against other contenders. This reality distorts matchmaking in ways casual fans don’t always appreciate.
Edgar Berlanga (21-0, 16 KOs) knows this better than most. The Brooklyn-born Puerto Rican has been positioning himself as Canelo’s heir apparent since his explosive early knockouts went viral. His team at Matchroom has carefully cultivated the narrative, even when Berlanga’s knockout streak ended and his performances became more methodical. The Sheeraz fight isn’t just about staying undefeated—it’s about maintaining pole position for when Canelo needs a fresh dance partner.
Hamzah Sheeraz (19-0, 15 KOs), the towering British prospect standing at 6’3″, represents a different path to the same destination. Under Frank Warren’s Queensberry banner, Sheeraz has been demolishing opposition while calling out every name linked to Canelo. His TKO victory over Liam Williams in February announced him as a serious player, but the UK market alone can’t provide the payday or prestige that comes with Mexican pay-per-view money.
The Cold Math of Mandatory Positions
Berlanga’s claim that Sheeraz had “no choice” isn’t just bravado—it’s boxing politics 101. With the WBO recently elevating Berlanga to their #1 contender spot at super middleweight, the pressure on Sheeraz became immense. The British fighter’s team understands that beating an elite-ranked American opens doors that even dominant performances in Europe can’t.
“Let’s keep it a buck,” Berlanga told Fight Hub TV last week. “Sheeraz can talk all he wants about other fights, but when a direct path to Canelo opens up, you take that shit. I’m his golden ticket, and he knows it. The WBO route runs through me, and if he wants that payday, he’s got to go through Brooklyn first.”
This isn’t just trash talk—it’s strategic positioning. By framing himself as the gatekeeper to Canelo, Berlanga accomplishes three things:
- He positions himself as the A-side in negotiations
- He psychologically pressures Sheeraz into accepting less favorable terms
- He reminds the boxing world that he controls a critical path to the division’s cash cow
Style Clash or Stylistic Stalemate?
Beyond the promotional gamesmanship, this matchup fascinates from a pure boxing perspective. We’re looking at two undefeated fighters with contrasting styles and physical attributes:
Berlanga’s Game:
- Compact, heavy-handed boxer-puncher
- Devastating body attack
- Improved defensive responsibility under Marc Farrait
- Relies on creating explosive moments rather than sustained volume
Sheeraz’s Advantages:
- Unusual 6’3″ frame for the weight class
- 80-inch reach (5 inches longer than Berlanga)
- Sharp, accurate jab that controls distance
- Underrated footwork for his size
The key battle will be fought in the 12-18 inch range where Berlanga’s power meets Sheeraz’s reach. If the Brit can maintain distance and work behind his jab, he could frustrate Berlanga into making mistakes. But if Berlanga consistently gets inside, his body attack could wear down the taller man.
Trainer Joe Gallagher’s insight on this dynamic rings true: “Hamzah can’t fight this like a typical tall vs. short matchup. Berlanga isn’t some crude brawler—he cuts the ring well and knows how to slip to get inside. Sheeraz needs to use angles, not just straight lines, or he’ll find himself backed into corners taking hooks to the liver.”
The Promotional Chess Game
What makes this fight particularly intriguing is the promotional divide. Berlanga fights under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom banner (DAZN), while Sheeraz is aligned with Frank Warren’s Queensberry (TNT Sports in UK, ESPN+ in US). Normally, this would complicate negotiations, but the Canelo factor changes the calculus.
Hearn and Warren have shown increased willingness to work together when the stakes justify it (see: Joshua vs. Ngannou). With both promoters recognizing that the winner becomes a viable Canelo opponent—and thus a potential crossover star—the financial incentives align beautifully.
Industry sources indicate the fight is being targeted for late summer, likely in New York to capitalize on Berlanga’s Puerto Rican fanbase. The Barclays Center in Brooklyn makes geographic sense, though Las Vegas remains an option if the promoters want to position this as a true Canelo eliminator.
What’s Really at Stake
Beyond the undefeated records and regional bragging rights, this fight represents something deeper—a test of which promotional model best develops elite talent in the post-PBC landscape.
Berlanga represents the modern American prospect development model:
- Early hype through sensational knockouts
- Strategic matchmaking to build records
- Leveraging ethnic fanbases (Puerto Rican in this case)
- Positioning as a PPV attraction before winning a title
Sheeraz embodies the UK approach:
- Steadier progression through the rankings
- Emphasis on technical development
- Building domestically before targeting Americans
- Less reliance on manufactured hype
The winner doesn’t just advance their career—they validate an entire system of fighter development. This explains why both Hearn and Warren are treating this as more than just another fight.
The Canelo Timeline
No analysis of this matchup is complete without addressing the 800-pound gorilla—when does the winner actually get Canelo? The Mexican star’s schedule is notoriously difficult to predict, but some clues exist:
- September 2024: Expected return against an unnamed opponent (possibly Jermall Charlo)
- May 2025: Traditional Cinco de Mayo weekend fight
- September 2025: Mexican Independence Day weekend
The Berlanga-Sheeraz winner would likely target the May 2025 slot, giving them time for one interim fight if necessary. However, Canelo’s preferences ultimately dictate everything. If he decides he wants the UK market, Sheeraz becomes attractive. If he prefers a Puerto Rican vs. Mexican showdown, Berlanga gets the nod.
As boxing historian Lee Wylie observes: “Canelo hasn’t fought a true rising contender since Billy Joe Saunders in 2021. He’s been cycling through established names and faded champions. The Berlanga-Sheeraz winner represents something fresh—a hungry, undefeated fighter at their physical peak. That’s either exactly what Canelo wants to prove he’s still elite, or exactly what he avoids to protect his legacy.”
Prediction: Who Wants It More?
In fights of this magnitude, skill matters but desire often decides. Both men have shown championship potential, but subtle differences emerge under scrutiny:
Berlanga’s X-Factors:
- Big fight experience (Madison Square Garden main events)
- Has gone 12 rounds three times
- More varied offensive arsenal
- Fighting in what would essentially be a home crowd
Sheeraz’s Advantages:
- Physical dimensions present unique challenges
- Appears to be improving fight-to-fight
- Less wear and tear despite similar pro rounds
- Possibly hungrier given UK fighters’ historical struggles in America
My prediction? Berlanga by late stoppage. Sheeraz’s height and reach will cause problems early, but Berlanga’s body attack will gradually break him down. Around round 9 or 10, expect a sustained assault to the ribs that either forces a stoppage or creates an opening for something more dramatic.
The Bigger Picture
However this plays out, the Berlanga-Sheeraz clash represents everything compelling and frustrating about modern boxing. Two elite talents are being forced to risk their undefeated records because the financial structure of the sport makes fighting Canelo the only path to generational wealth. That’s not necessarily bad—it creates fantastic matchups like this one—but it does distort career trajectories in ways that earlier eras didn’t experience.
As Berlanga himself put it: “This ain’t about me vs. Hamzah, really. It’s about who gets to sit at the big boy table. Canelo’s the meal ticket, and only one of us is getting that invitation.”
Truer words have never been spoken in the sweet science. The lure of Canelo giveth, and the lure of Canelo taketh away. On fight night, we’ll see which man’s dreams stay alive and which get deferred—at least until the next golden opportunity arises.
