Hamzah Sheeraz Looks Flat In Narrow Win Over Simon Zachenhuber

Click here to watch live boxing this weekend

The judges scored it 116-112, 115-113, and 114-114, but the performance did little to strengthen the champion’s standing after another lackluster outing. It wasn’t the effect that Sheeraz needed to make a case for him facing the winner of Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli.

Sheeraz entered the fight as a heavy favorite after destroying Alem Begic to capture the vacant WBO belt. Instead of another dominant display, he struggled to separate himself from a challenger who many viewed as a manageable first defense.

Using his height and reach, Sheeraz controlled stretches of the contest with his jab and straight right hand, but he rarely fought with urgency. Long periods passed with little offense as he allowed Zachenhuber to stay within striking distance. The German continued pressing forward, landed enough punches to remain competitive, and forced the champion to work much harder than most observers anticipated.

One judge scored the bout even at 114-114, reflecting how competitive many of the rounds became. While the other two officials favored Sheeraz by three and four points, there were few moments when he looked close to ending the fight.

The performance brought back memories of Sheeraz’s disappointing draw against Carlos Adames, another fight in which he appeared hesitant and lacked the aggression expected from a fighter with his physical advantages. Saturday’s effort was not quite as poor because he did enough to deserve the decision, but it bore little resemblance to the sharp, destructive form he displayed against Berlanga.

Questions will follow Sheeraz after this showing. He retained his title, yet he looked weak, slow, and indecisive for much of the night and never imposed himself on an opponent he had been widely expected to overwhelm. If bigger fights against the division’s leading names are next, he will need to deliver far more than he showed in his first title defense.