Doubt filled the air leading into the Ring Magazines third major event. Two of the sport’s most talented fighters, Hamzah Sheeraz and Shakur Stevenson were headlining what was a double main event fight card, giving them the spotlight to not just win, but to reclaim control of their narratives. Questions surrounded both men. Many wondered if Hamzah Sheeraz was all hype. Lots wondered if Shakur Stevenson could ever resonate with the wider public.
By the time the night was over, both Shakur Stevenson and Hamzah Sheeraz had delivered more than victories, they delivered statements.
Pressure on All Sides for Shakur Stevenson and Hamzah Sheeraz
Shakur Stevenson has always been regarded as a master technician inside the ring. Along with that label came a less flattering one; boring. Fans and media alike have long accused him of running and cruising to decisions without delivering the kind of drama that the fans crave for. Even Turki Alalshikh, one of the event’s main backers, warned against any “Tom and Jerry style” boxing, which you can take as a public shot at Shakur Stevenson’s style. The message was clear however, entertain or else.
Meanwhile for Hamzah Sheeraz, he had his own mountain to climb. One looked at as the next big prospect from Britain, his stock took a massive hit after a disappointing performance against Carlos Adames in his last time out. Many believed Sheeraz had lost that fight, even though it was declared a draw. The hype was beginning to fade and the doubters were growing louder.
The Sheeraz Statement After Shakur Stevenson’s Win
Walking into New York as the away fighter against Edgar Berlanga was no easy task. But Hamzah Sheeraz didn’t just silence the crowd, he detonated their hometown hero. Calm behind his jab and sharp with his combinations, Sheeraz used his 6-foot-3 frame and reach brilliantly, neutralizing Berlanga’s aggression with clean and composed boxing.
The turning point came in the fourth round when Sheeraz landed a vicious combination putting down Berlanga. From that point on, it was only a matter of time. Sheeraz didn’t just look better than he did against Adames, he looked like a completely different fighter. His clean inside fighting, patience, combination punching, and finishing instincts were all levels above. With this statement victory, Sheeraz might have lined himself up for a showdown against Canelo Alvarez in 2026.
Shakur Stevenson’s Reinvention
On the same night, Shakur Stevenson delivered arguably the best performance of his career against the relentless William Zepeda. This wasn’t the “safety first” version of Shakur that fans were accustomed to. This was a fighter who came to make his intentions known.
From the opening bell, Shakur stood in the pocket, timing counters with frightening accuracy. Zepeda, known for his high output, was throwing punches to no damage however, as Shakur’s defense was nearly untouchable. Zepeda landing only a fraction of his usual volume goes to show how great Shakur Stevenson is defensively. On top of this, Shakur was showing pinpoint accuracy with his punches, along with significant damage.
More than just tactical brilliance, Shakur showed attitude. He didn’t run. He didn’t coast. He fought. And in doing so, he may have finally earned the respect of the casual fans, and possibly the top spot at 135 lbs.
A Night for Redemption
In a sport often defined by narratives, both Hamzah Sheeraz and Shakur Stevenson rewrote theirs on Saturday night. These weren’t just wins on their records. They both had performances that reminded the world why these men are elite.
Sometimes, all it takes is one night to turn whispers into applause. Ring 3 was that night, and we’ll be watching closely to see what comes next.
