Hamzah Sheeraz has reached an unusual point in his career. Two world titles are available to him at the same time, at the same weight, and neither path has been chosen yet.
As of January 7, 2026, Sheeraz sits on two separate orders at super middleweight. The WBC has targeted a vacant title fight against Christian Mbilli, following the retirement of Terence Crawford. The WBO also ordered Sheeraz to face Diego Pacheco for his own vacant belt.
Publicly, 26-year-old Sheeraz has not committed to either option. Privately, the industry’s view is that the WBO route is getting underway. Riyadh Season is believed to be interested in a Sheeraz fight in the spring, and Pacheco is seen as a cleaner commercial fit for that environment.
However, the boxing risk is not equal.
Mbilli represents the more difficult physical test. He is a pressure fighter with a high output and a willingness to work inside. That style remains an open question for Sheeraz after his February draw with Carlos Adames, a fight many observers felt slipped away from him under sustained pressure.
Pacheco, though less ruthless, presents another complication. At 6ft 4, he removes one of Sheeraz’s long-standing advantages. Sheeraz could dictate the distance against most opponents at 160 and even at 168. That comfort disappears against someone who can match him in height and reach.
What makes this moment noteworthy is not only the choice of opponent, but what the choice signifies. One route leans towards risk management. The other leans towards validation. Postponing the decision only intensifies that contrast, and eventually Sheeraz will have to show which side he stands on.
Timing will also play a role. Sanctioning bodies will not allow both orders to sit indefinitely, and pressure from promoters is expected to mount rapidly.
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Last updated on 01/07/2026
