British super-middleweight sensation Hamzah Sheeraz faced a fierce challenge on July 12th, 2025, as he squared off against heavy-hitting Edgar Berlanga in a highly anticipated clash in New York. The bout, which served as a WBC super-middleweight title eliminator, saw Sheeraz make a spectacular statement in his debut at 168 pounds.
The pair headlined a historic event at the iconic Louis Armstrong Stadium, as The Ring Magazine made history by becoming the first organization to promote a boxing event at the legendary venue, typically known for hosting the U.S. Open tennis tournament. The atmosphere was electric, with fans eager to witness a pivotal moment in the super-middleweight division. While there were initial discussions about using a smaller ring to encourage more action, a standard 24×20 foot ring was ultimately utilized for the event.
Both fighters had already traded heated words in the build-up, each exuding confidence in outclassing the other on fight night. The stakes were high, with hopes of earning a future title shot after the undisputed showdown between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford, which was scheduled for September 2025.
Fighter Backgrounds and Recent Form
Edgar Berlanga, known for his formidable power and aggressive style, entered the fight with a professional record of 23 wins and 1 loss, with 18 of those victories coming by way of knockout. The Brooklyn native, born on May 17, 1997, had built a reputation for explosive finishes early in his career. His sole defeat before facing Sheeraz came on September 14, 2024, when he suffered a unanimous decision loss to undisputed super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in their Las Vegas showdown. In that contest, Alvarez systematically dominated Berlanga, even scoring a knockdown in the third round, though Berlanga showed toughness by going the distance. Following his loss to Canelo, Berlanga had bounced back with a first-round technical knockout victory over Jonathan Gonzalez Ortiz on March 15, 2025, demonstrating his continued punching prowess.
Hamzah Sheeraz, the British super-middleweight sensation, came into the bout with an impressive undefeated record of 21 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, with 17 knockouts. The 26-year-old, born on May 25, 1999, had been on a rapid ascent through the middleweight ranks. However, his last outing before the Berlanga fight was a contentious split draw against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames on February 22, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Many observers believed that Adames had done enough to secure the win, despite the judges’ split decision. This result ended Sheeraz’s 21-fight unbeaten run and prompted a significant change in his camp. Prior to the Adames fight, Sheeraz had secured notable victories, including an 11th-round TKO over Austin Williams in a WBC middleweight title eliminator on June 1, 2024, and a second-round TKO against Tyler Denny on September 21, 2024, to claim the European, Commonwealth, and WBC “Silver” middleweight titles.
Andy Lee’s Bold Prediction and Training Influence
Following his draw with Carlos Adames, Sheeraz made a pivotal decision to shake up his training camp, teaming up with renowned trainer Andy Lee in Ireland. Lee, a former WBO World middleweight champion himself, has emerged as one of boxing’s most sought-after trainers in recent months, known for his ability to rebuild fighters after setbacks.
Lee had successfully guided Joseph Parker’s remarkable rise from heavyweight outsider to world title contender with a string of standout performances. Following that success, Lee also took the reins for Boxxer sensation Ben Whittaker’s rematch with Liam Cameron, a bout that saw Whittaker deliver a commanding first-round stoppage to silence his critics. The former world champion believed Sheeraz could follow in Whittaker’s footsteps in his upcoming bout against Berlanga, securing an early stoppage victory of his own.
“Peoples character reflects their fighting style and he’s emotional and eratic,” said Lee about Berlanga following his outbursts at the launch press conference. Discussing his fighter’s preparation, he added, “You talk about leaving no stone left unturned that’s exactly what he’s doing. It wouldn’t surprise me if Hamzah knocks him out early.”
The Historic Clash: Sheeraz Dominates Berlanga
Andy Lee’s prediction proved to be remarkably accurate. On July 12, 2025, Hamzah Sheeraz delivered a career-defining performance, stopping Edgar Berlanga via knockout in the fifth round at Louis Armstrong Stadium. The fight began with a tense feeling-out process, but Sheeraz quickly asserted his dominance. In the fourth round, Sheeraz unleashed a brutal assault, knocking Berlanga down twice. Berlanga, visibly hurt and unsteady, was saved by the bell, but the writing was on the wall.
As the fifth round commenced, Sheeraz wasted no time, concluding the bout decisively with a right-left combination that sent Berlanga to the canvas for the third time. The referee, David Fields, promptly stopped the fight just 17 seconds into the round, declaring Sheeraz the winner by knockout. CompuBox statistics highlighted Sheeraz’s effectiveness, showing he landed 44% of his power punches throughout the contest. The victory marked a breakthrough moment for Sheeraz in his 168-pound debut, establishing him as an instant contender in the super-middleweight division.
Aftermath and Divisional Implications
The emphatic victory over Edgar Berlanga significantly elevated Hamzah Sheeraz’s standing in the boxing world. His professional record improved to 23 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, with 19 knockouts. The performance showcased his power and skill, proving his ability to compete and dominate at the super-middleweight level, a division he had just entered. This win immediately positioned Sheeraz among the top contenders, with many speculating about potential future matchups against the division’s elite.
For Edgar Berlanga, the loss marked his second professional defeat, bringing his record to 23 wins and 2 losses. While he had shown resilience against Canelo Alvarez, Sheeraz’s power proved too much, resulting in his first career stoppage loss. The defeat was a significant setback for Berlanga’s aspirations for a world title shot, forcing him to re-evaluate his path in the competitive super-middleweight landscape.
The wider super-middleweight division also saw a monumental shift shortly after this bout. The highly anticipated undisputed showdown between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford took place on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. In a historic performance, Terence Crawford, moving up two weight classes, defeated Canelo Alvarez via unanimous decision to become the undisputed super-middleweight champion. This outcome reshaped the division, creating new opportunities and challenges for fighters like Sheeraz, who now stands as a formidable threat to the new champion and other top contenders such as Diego Pacheco and Christian Mbilli.
