Canelo Alvarez vs. Hamzah Sheeraz in 2026?

New York-Hamzah Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 COs) skipped himself at the top of the list for a Canelo Alvarez battle after his impressive victory over Edgar Berlanga (23-2, 18 COs) this past Saturday.

(Credit: Golden Boy Promotions)

For those who do not know who Hamzah was, they certainly know his name now after submitting the star-studded Ring III card in New York. Sheeraz spectacularly knocked out the self -proclaimed “King of New York”.

During the run -up to the fight, Berlanga threw several insults to Sheeraz. He calls him a giraffe because of his 6’3 frame and says that if he stands in the bag and fights on the inside, he would knock him out.

However, it was Sheeraz that achieved the knockout victory. It was the first battle of Hamzah at Super Middleverht, because he struggled to make weight at 160 pounds. In the match before Berlanga, he fought Carlos Adames to a draw. His weight problems, combined with a hand injury, contributed to his poor performance in the fight. Then he decided he needed a change; He moved to 168 pounds and rented Andy Lee as his coach.

“We just scratched the surface of what he could do. And I knew … well, because we didn’t start the best, but I knew he would grow to the battle. I have never met such a strong, strong want to meet young man. He is very determined and focused, and we only had 8 weeks together. He’s just going to get better, ‘said Andy Lee of Sheeraz’s performance.

It was their first struggle together, and from here just improved. Hamzah has excellent potential in this section, to the extent that a Canelo Alvarez fight is discussed.

“He showed that it was his weight. He has been struggling for the last time in the fight that Spencer has just mentioned because he has drained weight. He just couldn’t make the weight. He showed how comfortable he is and he did something tonight that Canelo couldn’t do. He stopped him (Berlanga). He stopped in style, and he announced himself on the New York stage, but at the world stage. Fight between Canelo and Crawford in September, “Frank Warren said at Saturday’s press conference after the fight. The impressive performance asked a lot to get the Canelo match.

Turki Alalshikh took to X (Twitter) himself:

Hamzah now earns Canelo in 2026🔥🥊

– Turki Alalshikh (@turki_alshikh) July 13, 2025

Canelo has a four-match agreement with the Riyadh season. After the Terence Crawford fights in September, he will remain two fights. A potential match against Hamzah can be projected for either May or September of 2026, which is when Canelo usually fights.

Sheeraz was asked by the media on Saturday’s press what a Canelo fight would mean to him. “It would be an honor to share a ring with him. It would really do someone who, as I said, looked up. Then the next thing you know, you are … You are in the ring with them. Do you know what I mean?

“As I said, it is an achievement in itself, but one thing I can guarantee is that if I ever share the ring with Canelo, it will not be the case with what happened in his last fight. Where his opponent tries to run, I will promise you, as it is on camera here, even if I knock out, I will stand there and trade with him at the end of the day.

“So I will deliver a good show because that’s what it’s all about. That’s what it’s all about. To be wonderful, dare to be wonderful, and I’ll just do it … and I’ll do it. ‘

Sheeraz not only gained notoriety and another with his performance on Saturday night, but also did so because of its humble and merciful nature. He is a lord outside the ring and a fighter in it. The sky is the limit for this young talent.