Can unbeaten outsider Alem Begic shock Hamzah Sheeraz in Egypt?
Rico Verhoeven makes an attempt one of many largest upsets in boxing historical past when he takes on unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk. On the undercard, Alem Begic challenges for a world title, however enters the bout towards Hamzah Sheeraz as an excellent larger underdog than Verhoeven. Is the unknown German being neglected or overmatched?
Before specializing in Begic, you will need to notice the standard of his opponent, Sheeraz, who enters the bout as a particularly heavy favourite following a devastating beatdown of Edgar Berlanga on his super-middleweight debut final trip.
The Slough-born operator has been labeled Britain’s reply to Tommy Hearns, and the 26-year-old may very well be able to taking on the 168lb scene, significantly given the obvious fading powers of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, whom he might properly face subsequent yr if each are profitable in their respective title challenges.
However, whereas Sheeraz has impressed in current stoppage wins, his shows towards Bradley Skeete at super-welterweight and Carlos Adames at middleweight have been underwhelming, and every in the end prompted a transfer up in weight. That being stated, he already seems much more comfy at 168lbs, the battle to chop weight showing much less extreme.
Begic, 39, was born and raised in Munich and stays unbeaten throughout 30 skilled bouts, with a 2019 draw towards Tiran Metz – whom he later defeated – the one blemish on his report. Before turning skilled, he additionally compiled a strong 84-16-2 beginner profession.
Standing at 5ft 11in, the 6ft 3in Sheeraz will maintain a transparent measurement benefit over the German. The truth Begic is a southpaw additionally might not bother Sheeraz an excessive amount of, given his current wins over lefties Ammo Williams and Tyler Denny.
Meanwhile, when taking a look at Begic’s current opposition, the one man to take him the gap was David Kerkmann, who entered their September 2024 conflict with an 18-0 report earlier than dropping a large unanimous determination. Kerkmann has since fought an attention grabbing 17 instances and been stopped in three additional defeats, together with a second-round loss to Derby’s Alan Graves.
The underdog works the physique properly and throws mixtures intelligently, though he has largely been allowed to take action with out a lot resistance coming again his manner. While maneuvering himself right into a title alternative with out going through acknowledged world-level opposition might present him with the largest payday of his marketing campaign, it’ll additionally possible spell bother.
It was a run of three wins, together with victories over Kerkmann and Mahdi Safdari, who earned Begic and the WBO European super-middleweight title. Similarly to Kerkmann, Safdari’s type since dropping to Begic maybe provides a mirrored image of the extent Sheeraz shall be going through on Saturday night time.
On paper, this seems like a vastly tough project for the German and most count on Sheeraz to make an announcement in emphatic vogue. Still, boxing persistently exhibits how shortly expectations can unravel, and Begic will arrive in Egypt believing he’s able to surprising the world. The truth that the majority disagree will hopefully give him the gas to place up struggle for the followers.
