"I think I need a step up now"
Hamzah Sheeraz successfully defended his WBO super-middleweight world title but his lacklustre performance was met with boos from the crowd.
The 27-year-old defeated Simon Zachenhuber, with the judges scoring the contest 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112 in his favour.
Sheeraz entered the arena to a live performance from Punjabi rapper Gurinder Gill and was given a hero’s welcome by the Saudi crowd.
He towered over the 28-year-old German challenger and made a cautious start, probing with his jab in the opening round.
Zachenhuber attempted to target Sheeraz’s body with straight shots but landed little of note, while the champion found more success in the second by whipping left hooks into the challenger’s right flank.
However, the German responded with a stiff left hand that snapped Sheeraz’s head back and served as a reminder that the challenger remained dangerous.
Sheeraz briefly staggered Zachenhuber with a right hook in the third before continuing to press forward in search of an opening.
Despite his height, reach and power advantages, the champion struggled to impose himself against the awkward German.
Sheeraz increased the pressure during the sixth round, landing uppercuts and hooks, while a powerful right hand early in the seventh momentarily troubled Zachenhuber. Yet he was unable to force the stoppage many had expected.
As the contest wore on, the pace slowed considerably and the atmosphere inside the arena changed.
The crowd, which had been firmly behind Sheeraz from the opening bell, became increasingly frustrated by the lack of action.
By the final round, cheers had turned into whistles and boos as fans voiced their disappointment with the contest before Anthony Joshua’s appearance later on the card.
Hamzah Sheeraz is now in the ring! ?
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— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) July 25, 2026
Despite the muted display, Sheeraz secured the decision and retained his unbeaten record.
After the fight, the champion claimed his lacklustre performance was down to the lack of challenge posed by his opponent.
He said: “I think I need a step up now, I need someone who mentally is going to present a challenge.
“I was switching off at times. When you get too comfortable and you don’t have a threat in front of you, I tend to fall into those habits.”
“Hopefully we get a big fight next, inshallah.”
On one of the judges scoring the bout a draw, he added:
“I knew it weren’t that good but I didn’t think it was that bad!”
Looking ahead, the 27-year-old suggested Danish prospect Jacob Bank as a potential next opponent, who defeated Pawel August earlier on the card.
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