Hamzah Sheeraz: Silver Champion, Heart of Gold

In the electrifying realm of boxing, where every punch carries the weight of dreams and aspirations, Hamzah Sheeraz stands out not only for his success in the ring but for the depth of his character outside of it.

Sheeraz, often hailed as Middleweight’s most promising prospect with an impressive record of 3 defences of his WBC Silver Title, embodies not just the spirit of a fighter but also a commitment to his faith and a broader connection to society.

Fresh off a breakthrough performance in London’s Copperbox Arena against Liam Williams, Hamzah recently spoke with the WBC in Dubai and shared his current perspective on his career and aspirations.

“Middleweight is a great division to be in, especially being ranked so highly in the WBC rankings,” he said. “Every fight now is going to be a step up; they’re all going to be big fights. As for now, it’s all about creating that legacy – making dreams a reality and getting those big paychecks!”

Hamzah’s approach to his sport extends beyond mere competition. He eschews the bravado often associated with boxing, opting instead for a simple, respectful demeanour.

“I’ve never been one of those fighters to call out people and start being disrespectful,” he emphasized. “I always say, listen, whoever gets put in my way will have my camp, I’ll train to the best of my ability and that’s it; may the best man win on the day. I don’t like to complicate things – I’m quite a simple man.”

But simplicity doesn’t equate to lack of ambition. For Sheeraz, 2024 holds the promise of reaching new heights in his career. “This is the year to definitely capitalize and hopefully get that world title,” he declared.

Beyond his athletic pursuits, Hamzah’s bond with the Middle East is profound, stemming from both personal connections and religious ties. He speaks fondly of his visits to the region, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

“It’s the culture, it’s the people, it’s the food – it’s everything I’ve always dreamt about,” he explained. “Every time I come, I just chill, see family, and it’s just a nice homely feel. Everyone’s happy, everyone’s smiling, the weather’s good, no crime rate over here. Ideally, it’s a place I’d love to live in the future as well.”

His visits to Saudi Arabia hold a special significance, rooted in his faith as a Muslim. “After every fight, I always try to go there to pay my respects to the beloved prophet,” he shared. “The way of life over here in the Middle East is something amazing. As long as I keep grinding, keep my head down – it’s definitely a dream of mine to relocate here.”

For Hamzah, boxing and Islam are not separate facets of his life but intertwined aspects of his identity. He sees parallels between the values of his faith and the discipline required in his sport.

“They complement each other in so many ways,” he noted. “Islam teaches respect, discipline, and a healthy lifestyle – all qualities essential for success in boxing.

It’s written in the Quran that it’s liked for the Muslim Ummah to stay in shape, to be fit, to be healthy, to eat good food; that’s exactly what boxing teaches.

I’m blessed being born a Muslim, and I don’t think – I know – it’s the number one key factor for me being where I am now and where I can be in the future.”

As a WBC Silver Champion, Hamzah reflects on the significance of his accomplishments and his aspirations for the future.

“The green belt is always the one talked about,” he muses. “Even getting the WBC t-shirts and hats after the fight; that used to be like a little dream of mine when I used to be watching all these big fighters live. It means a lot.”

The first fight I ever watched when I was a kid was I stayed up for was Ricky Hatton versus Floyd Mayweather.

And if you watch the 24/7 programme, Floyd shows all his belts in that cabinet, and they’re all WBC green belts. That’s all he had, the green belts – he didn’t have any other.

And I remember thinking; “they’re nice- I’d like one of them.” I’m not saying the other ones are not good or whatnot, but the green belt is always the one talked about.

It’s an honour to be a WBC silver champion and listen; it’s a dream of mine to be the main champion.”

Beyond personal achievement, Hamzah sees his role in boxing as an opportunity to inspire and uplift others. He praises the WBC for its commitment to social causes and humanitarian efforts.

“It’s about inspiring and changing people’s lives and The WBC have always been for that.

The programmes they have in place, the charities they have in place, they’re the most active governing body, if you look at it, and they’re the most, in my eyes, the most helpful as well. Not just helping boxing, but helping change lives, helping less able people, helping charities, you name it.

It’s more than being just a boxing champion;  it’s about being a humanitarian and helping others as well.”

In Hamzah Sheeraz, the world of boxing finds not only a rising star but a role model whose dedication, humility, and integrity shine as brightly as his victories in the ring.