Hamzah Sheeraz has withdrawn from a proposed bout with Janibek Alimkhanuly and relinquished his WBO super-middleweight title, the sanctioning physique has confirmed.
The British fighter was mandated by the organisation to face the Kazakhstan boxer, who’s the WBO’s primary challenger for the title.
A handbag bid was held on Thursday for the proper to host the bout, which Sheeraz’s promoters Queensberry received with a bid of $1,001,809 (£747,903). High Rank had been the one different bidders, however fell brief with their $850,000 (£634, 569) supply.
The British promoters had deliberate to stage the bout on both 28 November or 5 December with London, Birmingham and New York proposed areas.
However the WBO confirmed on Friday evening Sheeraz, 27, had withdrawn from the bout.
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri posted on X: “The WBO confirms that Queensberry Promotions has formally notified in writing that Hamzah Sheeraz, per the phrases ensuing from the purse bid proceedings regarding his necessary obligation towards Janibek Alimkhanuly, has elected to not proceed with the necessary and has voluntarily relinquished his WBO super-middleweight world championship.
“The WBO acknowledges and respects the choice of Hamzah and his group.
“The WBO doorways will all the time stay open to him, and we sincerely want Hamzah and his group all the easiest and continued success transferring ahead.
“The WBO World Championship Committee will render the relevant ruling on Monday, September 21, concerning the standing of the WBO super-middleweight world championship and the division transferring ahead.”
Sheeraz’s supervisor Spencer Brown has been contacted for remark.
Alimkhanuly’s supervisor Egis Klimas claimed on X earlier on Friday that Sheeraz had withdrawn from the bout.
He posted: “Ha, I used to be proper, in case you scared yesterday, you scared as we speak and you’ll be scared tomorrow. Couple issues you’ll be able to’t practice in boxing, chin and scariness. Been knowledgeable Hamzah Sheeraz has vacated WBO title. What ashamed! [sic]”
Sheeraz, who has a document of 24 wins and one draw, received the super-middleweight title when he beat Alem Begic in Might, earlier than defending it towards Simon Zachenhuber in July.
Alimkhanuly’s place for the title has been controversial. Final December, simply earlier than a defence of the WBO and IBF middleweight titles, the 33-year-old returned a constructive check for meldonium.
He was suspended for a 12 months by the WBO in February however they allowed him to retain their title, whereas the IBF stripped him of theirs.
Nevertheless, in July the WBO terminated his suspension early and put in Alimkhanuly as necessary challenger at super-middleweight for Sheeraz’s title.
“I believe it is a joke. I believe what the WBO has executed right here is disgraceful to the game of boxing as nicely,” Sheeraz advised The Ariel Helwani Present in August.
