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.”
