Hamzah Sheeraz keen on Denzel Bentley, world title shot

The 24-year-old returned to the ring after a nine-month injury lay-off with a comfortable two-round demolition on previously unbeaten Dymtro Mytrofanov at Stadion Wroclaw, in Poland.

Appearing on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk’s controversial multi-world heavyweight title defence over Daniel Dubois, Sheeraz put the 33-year-old Ukrainian down three times before a hammering right forced referee Massimo Barrovecchio to halt proceedings and save Mytrofanov from further punishment 35 seconds into round two.

Sheeraz, promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, had performed a similar two-round job on River Wilson-Bent at Wembley Arena in November but that win came at a cost as he damaged his right hand and underwent surgery.

After an 18th straight win and second successful defence of his WBC Silver mantle, he told TNT Sports: “Did I know I’ll do it that quick? No. I thought I’ll get him out of there round 10 or so, but I’m happy.

“Loads of people wrote me off after my performance a few fights ago, but I’m here and I’ve got the WBC Silver. Hopefully next year I’ll fight for the world title. I think I’m ready, here’s the man (Frank Warren) who’ll make it happen, let’s see what happens.”

Warren is happy with Sheeraz’s progress and hinted during his post-fight analysis that he is not afraid to put the Ilford man in with the likes of Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr, who meet again at Manchester Arena this weekend.

Liam Williams and Denzel Bentley, who Warren also manages, are two other names the 71-year-old Hall Of Fame boxing promoter is hoping to attract.

“Just continue what he’s doing,” Warren said. “He’s moving from strength to strength. He’s made a statement. He’s come into the other guy’s backyard, fought an undefeated fighter and beat him in front of his crowd.

“A very good fighter, done a job. That was an excellent, composed and brilliant performance. He’s a special fighter, there’s no doubt about that, so we’re blessed in the UK with some really really good fighters in the same weight so there’s some great fights to be made and we’ll make sure they happen over the next year. He’ll win a world title, no doubt about that.”

Sheeraz, whose father Kamran played county cricket for Worcestershire between 1994-97, would love to get an opportunity at Bentley and his British title, which the South Londoner retained in April after blitzing through Kieran Smith in just 45 seconds at Stratford’s Copper Box Arena,

“Of course, I’d be stupid not to!” Sheeraz added. “It makes for a great fight. It’s got all the ingredients to make for a great fight, but like I said I do my thing at the end of the day, I’ve got a promoter for a reason and I just leave that to him.”