Sheeraz KOs Berlanga, Stevenson Cruises, Morrell Rallies, Matias Wins WBC Belt
Saturday night, a packed crowd of 14,000 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, NY, witnessed the full spectrum of what makes boxing so compelling. There were knockouts, questions answered, and a new WBC world champion crowned. All four betting favorites secured wins, but it was Hamzah Sheeraz who made the loudest statement of the night with a dominant stoppage over Edgar Berlanga in his hometown. Shakur Stevenson cruised after surviving William Zepeda’s early surge. David Morrell climbed off the canvas to outfight Russian power puncher Imam Khataev, while Subriel Matías delivered a workmanlike effort to dethrone WBC 140 lb. champion Albert Puello. Canelo Alvarez vs Hamzah Sheeraz Odds have opened with Canelo as a -400 Boxing Odds favorite at MyBookie.ag
Hamzah Sheeraz Stops Edgar Berlanga, Eyes Canelo Showdown
Sheeraz Landed At Will Throughout
Hamzah Sheeraz looked every bit like a future star at super middleweight in his demolition of Edgar Berlanga. Sheeraz was in command from the outset, beating Berlanga to the punch with a surgeon’s timing and the cold efficiency of a man who had come not to entertain but to execute. They met in the middle of the ring, but only one of them seemed to belong there.
In round four, Sheeraz, 26, hurt Berlanga with a left hook and followed up with a compact three-punch combination that sent Berlanga to the canvas. Berlanga beat the count but was dropped again after a flurry that knocked him through the ropes. Though he survived the round, Berlanga, 28, entered the fifth on unsteady legs. Sheeraz immediately pounced, landing a clean right cross that forced the referee to stop the fight just 17 seconds into the 5th round.
Berlanga, 23-2, 18 KOs, fighting in front of his hometown faithful, absorbed a savage beating that drained both his bravado and his reserves, until he was mercifully whacked out — fittingly — while wearing trunks that read King of New York. At the time of the stoppage, the judges had it 39-35, 39-35, 39-36 all for Sheeraz, 22-0-1, 18 KOs.
Trainer Andy Lee’s impact was evident, and with Turki Alalshikh watching ringside, talk is already growing about a potential clash between Canelo Alvarez and Sheeraz in 2026.
Shakur Stevenson Outclasses William Zepeda
Zepeda Swung Mostly At Air Against Stevenson
Shakur Stevenson, 24-0, 11 KOs, showcased his ability to neutralize offense and win rounds with precise counterpunching in the pocket, delivering a Mayweather-esque boxing clinic to William Zepeda. After getting buzzed by a Zepeda jab in the third round, Stevenson, 28, took control, landing just enough telling blows in each round to secure a decisive victory on the scorecards.
Even if the ring had been shrunk to the size of a dollar-store rug, it would have done Zepeda, 33-1, 27 KOs, no favors. He came expecting a fight and instead found himself enrolled, unwillingly, in a doctoral seminar in fistic frustration, taught by Newark’s finest.
Though fans continue to debate his scientific style, Stevenson’s effectiveness is unquestionable. He won by unanimous decision with scores of 119–109, 118–110, and 118–110. ESPN2 News scored it 117–110 for Stevenson. The win lands Stevenson inside our top-10 pound-4-pound boxing rankings.
David Morrell Rallies to Defeat Imam Khataev in 10-Round War
Khataev Took It On ESPN2 News Scorecards
David Morrell was pushed to the brink against hard-hitting Russian Imam Khataev who proved to be greatly undervalued at +450 boxing odds. Three days before the fight, Imam Khataev, 10-1, 9 KOs, tested positive for Clenbuterol, a banned substance often used to come off steroids, but was still granted permission to compete by the New York State Athletic Commission.
The 5’10” Khataev, who is built like a character from the movie 300, dominated the first five rounds, winging bombs at Morrell, 12-1, 9 KOs, who had no choice but to go toe-to-toe. Khataev pulverized Morrell’s midsection, yet Morrell, stubborn as a mule, refused to go down. In the fifth round, the Russian sent Morrell flying into the ropes with a devastating bolo right hand, but Morrell showed his chin and composure, rising from the canvas to continue.
Morrell, 27, weathered the storm and used his superior conditioning and clean combinations to swing the fight in his favor after the knockdown. As Khataev, 30, ran out of gas, Morrell swept the final five rounds on the cards to edge out a tight decision with scores of 95–94, 96–93, and 96–93. ESPN2 News had it 96–93 for Khataev.
The Cuban fighter showed his grit in the win over Khataev, demonstrating that he has mentally rebounded from his one-sided loss to David Benavidez. Khataev, despite the defeat, proved that he is arguably the most dangerous contender in the light heavyweight division.
Subriel Matías Earns WBC Title with Relentless Pressure
Matias Dethrones Puello For WBC Belt
Subriel Matías may not have impressed with flash, but his relentless work rate and constant pressure were enough to earn a hard-fought victory over former champion Albert Puello. Facing Matías, 23-2, 22 KOs, is like stepping into a live airplane propeller—he never stops coming—but Puello, 24-1, 10 KOs, rose to the occasion, matching him punch for punch in a gritty, high-paced battle. Puello, 30, proved he was a worthy champion, and a rematch would be well deserved. At 33, Matías may have lost just a half step, and after so many brutal wars, signs of wear could be starting to show.
The judges scored it 116–112, 115–113, and 115–113 in favor of Matías. ESPN2 News had it even at 114–114, but the official decision crowned Matías the new WBC junior welterweight champion.
Boxing Odds Recap
- Hamzah Sheeraz (-130) Kos Berlanga to cash in big at +300 via knockout.
- Shakur Stevenson (-1100) won by unanimous decision cashing in on the decision prop at -200.
- David Morrell (-650) overcame a knockdown to edge Imam Khataev in a tightly contested war to cash in at +240 via decision.
- Subriel Matías (-120) used constant pressure to earn a decision win over Albert Puello and claim the WBC title.
What’s Next: Canelo Alvarez vs Hamzah Sheeraz Odds
$100 Bet on Sheeraz Pays Out $420
Following his breakout performance, Hamzah Sheeraz has emerged as one of the top rising stars at 168 pounds. According to multiple sources, a showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Sheeraz is being targeted for 2026.
Much has been made of Sheeraz stopping Berlanga — something Canelo could not do — but with Canelo’s proven resume, power, and ring IQ, he remains the favorite. However, Sheeraz’s win has proven he belongs on the elite stage.
The only lingering question is: Can Hamzah Sheeraz withstand Canelo Alvarez’s power?
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