“What a Disappointing Title Reign”: Edgar Berlanga Joins Boxing World in Slamming Hamzah Sheeraz for Vacating Title

Edgar Berlanga finally got the opportunity he was looking forward to. Putting the horrible damage he suffered last year behind him, when Hamzah Sheeraz pummeled him to a fifth-round stoppage, Berlanga turned his focus to the latest reports confirming that…

By Jaideep R Unnithan · Essentially Sports

Published: Saturday, 19 September 2026 at 8:29 AM

Key Things to Know

Hamzah Sheeraz has vacated his WBO super middleweight title instead of fighting mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly.
Edgar Berlanga publicly criticized Sheeraz's decision on social media, claiming it was motivated by money.
Queensberry Promotions won the purse bid for the fight with a $1,001,809 offer before Sheeraz withdrew.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Edgar Berlanga has publicly criticized Hamzah Sheeraz after the English boxer decided to vacate his WBO super middleweight title. Sheeraz chose to relinquish the belt rather than face a WBO-ordered mandatory challenge against former unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly. Berlanga mocked Sheeraz on social media, claiming the decision was motivated by money and questioning his drawing power.

The fight negotiations between Queensberry Promotions and Top Rank had previously failed, leading the WBO to order a purse bid. Queensberry won the bid with a $1,001,809 offer, which would have earned Sheeraz a 75 percent split of approximately $751,356. Sheeraz reportedly viewed the matchup against Alimkhanuly as a high-risk, low-reward fight before officially vacating the title.

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