Sheeraz Given a Week to Cut a Deal With Alimkhanuly or Vacate WBO Title

Hamzah Sheeraz has been handed a one-week extension to hammer out terms for a mandatory defence of his WBO super middleweight title against Janibek Alimkhanuly — a fighter who failed a doping test late last year. The 27-year-old Brit, unbeaten at 23-0-1 with 19 stoppages, now has until 5pm Atlantic Standard Time on Thursday, September 10 to submit an agreement, after his promoter Queensberry and Alimkhanuly's Top Rank jointly petitioned the sanctioning body for more time.

It's an awkward negotiation for a champion who's already branded the WBO "corrupt." Sheeraz claimed the vacant belt in May with a second-round finish of the overmatched Alem Begic, then made a voluntary defence in July, edging Simon Zachenhuber by majority decision. Now he's being told to face a man who was suspended for 12 months — and kept his old middleweight title anyway.

How We Got Here

Alimkhanuly's path to mandatory status is the part that's raised eyebrows. After failing the test, the WBO handed the Kazakh a year-long ban but let him retain his 160lb strap on the grounds that he was a first-time offender. He's since vacated that title, moved up to 168, and jumped ahead of top contender Jacob Bank — a fellow unbeaten at 19-0 (11 KO) — to land the mandatory slot against Sheeraz.

That leapfrogging is exactly what set Sheeraz off. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, he called the situation a joke and said the WBO was effectively rewarding a fighter who'd been popped for a banned substance. He put it down to ulterior motives and personal relationships. WBO president Gustavo Olivieri has, predictably, denied any preferential treatment.

What Happens Next

Olivieri confirmed on social media Thursday that all parties are pushing ahead with the ordered bout, and that the extension buys them a few more days to close the gap. If they can't, the WBO says it'll call a purse bid hearing and open the promotional rights to other organisations.

Sheeraz has already floated vacating as a live option — which tells you how little appetite he has for a fight he sees as tainted. The next seven days will decide whether he defends the belt, walks away from it, or lets the purse bid make the choice for him.