Hamzah Sheeraz is willing to fight mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly for his world title - but could vacate it if the money isn't right.

The 27-year-old easily blasted out Alem Begic in the second round to earn the vacant WBO super-middleweight title in May.

Hamzah Sheeraz in action against Simon Zachenhuber
3
Sheeraz beat Simon Zachenhuber on points in his first WBO title defenceCredit: Getty

It was Sheeraz's second world title fight, having previously failed in his quest to become WBC middleweight champion against Carlos Ademes in February 2025.

The result ended in a highly controversial draw, with the unbeaten Brit subsequently moving up to the 168lbs division.

Since winning the WBO title earlier this year, Sheeraz has already made one successful title defence - outpointing Simon Zachenhuber on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's victory over Kristian Prenga in July in Saudi Arabia.

Former WBO and IBF middleweight king Alimkhanuly has since been installed as Sheeraz's mandatory after stepping up a division - which saw London native Daniel Bentley elevated from interim to full WBO champ.

But despite purse bids for the world title scrap taking place on Wednesday, Sheeraz has thrown a spanner in the works by appearing to suggest he could relinquish his burgundy and gold strap.

Speaking on Ring Magazine's Mr Verzace Podcast, The Quiet Storm has stressed he is yet to receive an official offer from promotions Queensberry and Top Rank.

And he has also insisted he in unsure whether the potential match-up will meet his financial expectations.

What has Hamzah Sheeraz said about fighting Janibek Alimkhanuly?

He said: "We’ll fight, we accept the fight, let’s crack on."

Though he later remarked: "I haven’t had an offer from anyone yet.

"I haven’t gotten an offer from DAZN, Queeensberry (Sheeraz’s promoter) Top Rank (Alimkhanuly’s promoter).

Hamzah Sheeraz fights Simon Zachenhuber
3
Sheeraz is yet to taste defeat from his 25 professional fights inside the squared circle

"So now the fight goes to purse bids, we’ll see what happens, we’re prizefighters, we fight for the right amount of money.

"I believe it’s going to come to a point where the money is going to be considerably low for the biggest fight of my career.

“To me, it doesn’t really make sense, especially being a champion as well.

"It could be a good offer, I’m praying it is and then it’s simple, the fight goes ahead.

"But I have a funny feeling that it won’t be, we’ll see what happens.”

What has Janibek Alimkhanuly said about Hamzah Sheeraz?

Taking to social media last week, Alimkhanuly expressed his frustration as Thursday's WBO negotiation deadline looms.

Janibek Alimkhanuly, IBF and WBO middleweight world champion, victorious in a boxing match
3
Alimkhanuly is a former WBO and IBF middleweight championCredit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

He posted on X: "He’s dragged this out way too long. If he wants the fight, then say it and make it happen.

"If he doesn’t want to fight, he needs to vacate the title. I don’t have time to waste!"

Who is Janibek Alimkhanuly?

Winning each of his 17 professional fights - with 12 coming by way of knockout - the Kazakhstani star would represent the toughest challenge of Sheeraz's career so far.

But the Rio 2016 Olympian and 2013 World Championship gold medallist hasn't fought since April 2025, having been slapped with a six-month suspension for failing a drugs test.

Alimkhanuly had been due to fight WBA champ Erislandy Lara in a unification dust-up in December 2025, only to test positive for traces of performance-enhancing drug Meldonium.

It cost him a potential mega-fight against Terence Crawford, while he was also immediately stripped of his IBF belt as a result.

Topics