Hamzah Sheeraz Dismisses Critics Ahead Of Simon Zachenhuber Defense

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Hamzah Sheeraz Dismisses Critics Ahead Of Simon Zachenhuber Defense

The WBO super middleweight champion says activity comes first and expects a unification bout or mandatory defense against Jacob Bank if he wins in Jeddah.

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Hamzah Sheeraz says staying active is more important than answering every critic as he prepares to defend his WBO super middleweight title against Simon Zachenhuber on Saturday in Jeddah. The champion believes victory will put him in line for a unification bout or a mandatory defense against Jacob Bank.

Critics have questioned the selection of Zachenhuber, viewing him as the second consecutive soft opponent of Sheeraz’s title reign following his victory over little-known Alem Begic in May.

“When I took the Berlanga fight, it was, ‘It’s too much too soon.’ Now I’ve got the opportunity to stay busy and stay active, it’s like they want you to take continuous back-to-back 50/50s or hard fights. Which I don’t mind, to be fair. I don’t mind. Listen, my world title fight was meant to be against Diego Pacheco, and I’ve said it so many times. He didn’t want it. So you fight the next in line and I fought the next in line,” said Sheeraz to Ring Magazine.

“I’m sure after this there’ll be a big one. I’ll hopefully get a unification, God willing I win, or my mandatory Jacob Bank will be ordered, and that’s a good fight as well. As long as I keep winning, these big fights. I’m due to have a big one.”

A mandatory defense against Bank would likely draw criticism similar to the reaction that followed Sheeraz’s title victory over Begic. Some fans view Bank as another favorable challenger, even though a mandatory defense would satisfy the WBO’s requirements before Sheeraz pursues one of the division’s other titleholders.

Sheeraz’s priority remains Zachenhuber. A victory would move him one step closer to the larger fights he believes are waiting later this year.

Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist who has covered the sport since 2014, providing ringside reporting and technical analysis of major bouts. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments, and the details that shape high-level competition.

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