Shiraz vs Bezic: Hamzah Shiraz wins super-middleweight title with knockout win

Britain’s Hamzah Shiraz claimed his first world title with a second-round stoppage victory over Alem Bezic to claim the vacant WBO super-middleweight crown in Egypt.

The Londoner, 26, imposed himself from the opening bell against the overmatched German, breaking him down with sharp straight jabs and uppercuts.

Bezic was out of his depth and had no answer to Shiraz’s precision, a left hook to the body sending him down in the end.

The 39-year-old failed to beat the count as the referee stopped the fight.

“It was easy – I saw that he was very negative from the moment I landed the first punch,” Shiraz said.

“After that it’s supposed to take him down and get out of there. That’s what we did.”

Shiraz takes the WBO belt vacated by the retired Terence Crawford and moves closer to a dream match with Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in 2027.

Alvarez – who was ringside – is set to make his boxing return against WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbili on September 12 in Riyadh.

“Boxing royalty is ringside and I want to follow in their footsteps,” Shiraz added.

“I’m beating whoever’s in front of me. If Canelo can win (against Mbili), that’s up to him.

“I believe he is one of the ‘goats’ of boxing, it will be an honor to share the ring with him. I will definitely win if given the chance.”

Earlier, Englishman Jack Catterall, 32, moved closer to a full world title shot with a one-sided points win over undefeated Shakharam Giyasov to claim the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight belt.