Why Hamzah Sheeraz Chose Carlos Adames Over Janibek Alimkhanuly

Hamzah Sheeraz, the undefeated middleweight prospect, made waves by choosing to fight Carlos Adames for the WBC middleweight title instead of taking on Janibek Alimkhanuly, the unified IBF and WBO champion. This bold decision has fans buzzing, and Frank Warren, Sheeraz’s promoter, has shed some light on why this move makes sense. Here’s the full story.

Why Sheeraz Switched to Carlos Adames

Originally, Sheeraz was in line to fight Janibek Alimkhanuly, but two weeks ago, he pulled out of the WBO’s purse bid. Instead, he’s now set to challenge Carlos Adames on February 22 as part of the massive Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch card in Riyadh.

According to Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions, this decision was based on two main factors:

Belief in Victory: “I believe he can win this fight,” Warren said in an interview with BoxNation.

Strategic Backup Plan: Warren pointed to the December 7 fight between Brad Pauls and Denzel Bentley, a final eliminator for the WBO title. This bout gives Sheeraz’s camp an alternate route to a world title, as Bentley could claim the WBO belt later, paving the way for an exciting unification bout.

As Warren explained, this approach gives them “two bites of it,” meaning Sheeraz could end up with not one but two chances to claim gold.

The Challenge of Fighting Carlos Adames

Let’s not sugarcoat it—Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) is a dangerous opponent. Over the years, he’s proven himself against tough competition, including wins over Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Juan Macias Montiel, and Julian Williams. After Jermall Charlo was stripped of his title, Adames became the full WBC champion and successfully defended his belt against Terrell Gausha earlier this year.

Frank Warren knows the stakes, saying, “It won’t be easy at all. He’s in with a good, quality fighter. But this is the time to do it for him. This should be his time.”

As for Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs), he’s earned his spot as one of the middleweight division’s top prospects. His most recent fight, a second-round TKO against Tyler Denny in September, showcased his power and precision. Now he’s stepping up to the big leagues, and a win against Adames would cement his status as a world-class contender.

What’s at Stake for Hamzah Sheeraz

This fight is about more than just grabbing a world title—it’s a chance to reshape the middleweight division. If Sheeraz defeats Adames, he’ll claim the WBC title and set the stage for potential unification fights.

One exciting possibility? An all-British unification bout. If Denzel Bentley wins the December 7 eliminator and later captures the WBO title, fans could see Bentley vs. Sheeraz for all the middleweight marbles. Frank Warren is already hyped about the idea, saying, “We could have two Brits holding world titles, and then we’d be looking at a really, really good unification fight.”

Why This Fight is a Big Deal

The middleweight division has been flying under the radar lately, but Hamzah Sheeraz has the potential to change that. By taking on a fighter as skilled as Carlos Adames, Sheeraz is proving he’s ready to take risks and aim for greatness.

This isn’t just a fight—it’s a statement. Win or lose, Sheeraz’s decision to face Adames shows he’s here to compete with the best. If he pulls off the upset, it could spark a new era in middleweight boxing.