Hamzah Sheeraz stops Edgar Berlanga in fifth round, targets Canelo

Hamzah Sheeraz dropped Edgar Berlanga 3 times and scored a fifth spherical TKO tonight in New York.

The win places Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KO) in line for a shot at Canelo Alvarez, ought to Alvarez beat Terence Crawford in September.

Berlanga (23-2, 18 KO) was down twice within the fourth spherical, and was arguably purchased a little bit of time to listen to the ultimate bell of that spherical when referee David Fields gave him an extended look following the second knockdown. It’s additionally debatable whether or not or not Berlanga even ought to have been despatched out for the fifth, as he was visibly unsteady and unclear, and Sheeraz dropped him once more to attain the TKO simply 17 seconds into that spherical.

“Within the first few rounds, I used to be dropping, however we had a plan,” Sheeraz stated. “I informed (coach Andy Lee) I may hunt this man down, and he believed me.”

Sheeraz, 26, was hyped as a giant middleweight prospect, however struggled in an arguably gifted draw final day trip with WBC titleholder Carlos Adames, shifting as much as the tremendous middleweight division for this struggle.

Canelo, who remains to be arguably the game’s greatest field workplace draw, may wind up being in his sights, and he says that if he will get it, he’ll attempt to get one other stoppage.

“Canelo’s at all times been a boxing hero of mine, so for mine title to even be talked about in the identical sentence as his, that’s an ideal achievement,” stated Sheeraz.

“But when I do get the chance to struggle him, it received’t be a type of the place I attempt to nick it on factors. I’ll stand in the course of (the ring) and have it out. Whoever lands first, I suppose they get knocked out.”

The stoppage loss was the primary of Berlanga’s profession, and he did go a full 12-round distance with Canelo final September in defeat.