Hamzah Sheeraz Stops Edgar Berlanga in Fifth Round
Hamzah Sheeraz claimed victory over Edgar Berlanga in the fifth round on Saturday, marking the inaugural boxing event at the US Open tennis venue.
This bout was Sheeraz’s debut in the super middleweight category, and he showcased a considerable amount of power, knocking Berlanga down twice in the fourth round, and following up with an aggressive start to the fifth before referee David Fields intervened.
Sheeraz, now boasting a record of 22 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw with 18 knockouts, is being considered as a future contender for the 168-pound champion, Canelo Alvarez. Whether he earns that shot depends not just on skill, but perhaps how he continues to perform compared to Berlanga, who has a record of 23 wins and 2 losses, albeit with a less impressive night this time around.
In the co-main event, Shakur Stevenson kept his undefeated streak alive by defending his WBC lightweight title against William Zepeda, winning by unanimous decision. One judge scored the fight 119-109, while the other two had it at 118-110, reflecting Stevenson’s control throughout the match.
Stevenson, with a record of 24-0, secured his win right before Berlanga and Sheeraz faced off in their final match at Louis Armstrong Stadium, the secondary venue at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. It was a fitting backdrop for these high-stakes bouts.
The early match set the stage, but Stevenson’s performance truly shone through. Zepeda started with some aggression, landing a few punches right at the beginning, which might have even made Stevenson smile. Still, Zepeda seemed unable to keep pace with Stevenson’s superior speed and skill as the fight progressed.
This marked the second fight card hosted by Ring Magazine in New York, the first being in Times Square back in May. Initially, tickets were not available, leading to a limited audience, which somewhat affected the atmosphere. However, the event this time sold-out many seats, with presence felt throughout the 14,000-seat stadium, which had a retractable roof to keep it comfortable during the humid summer.
The crowd was treated to an exciting dynamic early on, with Stevenson sometimes falling back on a defensive style that had drawn criticism in the past. But on this occasion, he seemed more engaged and willing to trade blows, often leading the exchanges. Zepeda did manage to land some combinations and even corner Stevenson at one point, which thrilled the Mexican fans, yet Stevenson adeptly avoided much of the danger that night.
Meanwhile, Subriel Matias made headlines earlier in the night with a majority decision win to claim the WBC 140-pound title from Alberto Puello. Prior to that, David Morell showcased resilience, recovering from a fifth knockdown to split the judges against Larry Late in a light heavyweight fight.
