Queensberry’s Middleweight Selection for Upcoming 5 vs. 5 Battle
(May 1, 2023 – BBC Sports)
In a highly anticipated move, Hamzah Sheeraz has been revealed as Queensberry’s middleweight selection for the upcoming 5 vs. 5 battle against Matchroom. Sheeraz will face off against Austin “Ammo” Williams in Saudi Arabia on June 1, setting the stage for an electrifying clash of rising stars.
If the tournament had taken place a year ago, two-time British champion Denzel Bentley would have been a serious contender for the 160-pound slot on Team Queensberry. Bentley, a fighter on the rise, put on an excellent challenge for Janibek Alimkhanuly’s WBO title in November 2022 and then delivered a blistering knockout of Kieran Smith. However, his fortunes took a turn in November 2022 when Nathan Heaney produced an outstanding performance to outpoint the out-of-sorts Bentley, relieving the Londoner of his British title.
“Hamzah is the more disciplined boxer. If he needs to cover up and not take clean shots, then he can do that. He’s got long levers, which can cover his body and head at the same time. Ammo has a devastating left hand, and if he can get close enough to land his shots, the question will be whether Hamzah can take his power.”
Undeterred, Bentley, 29, is set to return to the ring on May 11, where he will take on Danny Dignum in a high-profile clash of former world title challengers. Bentley is confident in his ability to right the ship against Dignum and then sit back to enjoy the impending showdown between Sheeraz and Williams, secure in the knowledge that he is once again on the path to another big night of his own.
Bentley acknowledged the impressive performances of both fighters in their recent bouts, noting that Sheeraz’s stoppage of River Wilson-Bent in two rounds was achieved more convincingly than Williams’ eight-round victory over the same opponent. Ultimately, Bentley expressed his hope for a Sheeraz victory, as he sees the Queensberry fighter as a potential future opponent of his own.
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