Hamzah Sheeraz purse bid dilemma

HAMZAH SHEERAZ could make the first defence of his European middleweight title against Denzel Bentley after the contest was put out to purse bids.

However, Sheeraz may opt to face Zhanibek Alimkhanuly instead after the WBO ordered the Kazakh to defend his world title against Sheeraz. Both camps have 15 days (from October 8) to reach an agreement. Failure to do so will result in the fight going out to purse bids.

ELSEWHERE on the European scene, Charlie Edwards’ maiden defence of his European bantamweight title could come against Paul Butler. The champion called Butler out after winning the belt against Thomas Essomba last month. Purse bids for Edwards vs. Butler are due by midday (Rome time) on October 31.

THERE’S a chance for a popular light-heavyweight from London to regain his Lonsdale belt.

Dan Azeez, who won the title in 2022, was to face Lewis Edmondson in a non-title bout on October 19. However, the Board approved a request from promoter Ben Shalom to sanction the fight for the vacant British light-heavyweight title.

MIDDLEWEIGHT champion Brad Pauls will make the first defence of his belt against Kieron Conway on a show promoted by Eddie Hearn. No news on where or when the fight will take place.

Pauls dethroned Nathan Heaney to win the title with a 12th-round stoppage in July. Conway is through to the next round of Matchroom’s latest Prizefighter tournament, where he will face Aaron McKenna.

PROMOTER Lee Eaton successfully requested the Board approve a fight between Brandon Daord and Quaise Khademi for the vacant British super-flyweight title.

Khademi has already fought for the belt on two occasions against Ijaz Ahmed, each of which ended in a draw. Daord won the English strap last time out beating Benn Norman.

ENGLISH cruiserweight titlist Viddal Riley will get the chance to settle his rivalry with Isaac Chamberlain. Riley will make a voluntary defence of his belt against the former British champion. Ben Shalom will promote on a date and at a venue to be advised.

ANOTHER intriguing English title fight got the go-ahead from the Board with Junaid Bostan facing Ishmael Davis for the vacant super-welterweight strap. The bout will take place on a future Matchroom show.