Sheeraz Slammed Online After Ripping WBO Over Janibek Order

Hamzah Sheeraz called the WBO's handling of a mandatory defense against Janibek Alimkhanuly "a joke" and "corrupt" during an interview with Ariel Helwani, and the pushback online was immediate.

Sheeraz used the interview to attack how the organization dealt with Janibek, zeroing in on the reduced suspension Janibek received after testing positive for meldonium and the WBO's move to slot him into an immediate title fight at super middleweight. When Helwani pressed him on whether he would actually take the fight, Sheeraz would not commit. He floated alternatives instead, including an exemption, a step-aside deal, giving up the belt, or pursuing a unification bout, saying any decision would come after talking with his team.

That non-answer is what set off the response. A reply posted on X shortly after the interview aired challenged Sheeraz directly: "Why doesn't he just say, 'Let's fight!'? This is a sport! If you call yourself a champion, then prove it. Step up, fight the best, and show everyone what you're really made of. Don't sit on a podcast whining and crying about it get in the ring and fight!"

Why Sheeraz Is Stalling on the Janibek Fight

Sheeraz's hesitation comes down to risk versus reward. Janibek presents genuine danger in the ring but does not carry the commercial pull of the bigger names at 168 pounds, meaning a loss would hurt Sheeraz's earning power without the payday to match. The unification path Sheeraz mentioned is not something he controls outright either. It would likely hinge on Queensberry landing Canelo Alvarez, and only if Canelo first gets past Christian Mbilli. Jaime Munguia is the other name in the mix, but neither fight is locked in, which leaves the Janibek fight as the one sitting in front of him right now.

Sheeraz maintained that he wants to beat Janibek, but stopping short of accepting the fight outright was enough for it to be read as an attempt to sidestep a mandatory he'd rather not take.

Betting Angle

Sheeraz is the busier name commercially, but styles matter here more than star power. If Janibek's form at middleweight translates cleanly to 168 pounds, he brings the kind of pressure and durability that can turn this into a grinding, low-reward night for Sheeraz regardless of who is favored on the board. Expect any market pricing on this fight to reflect that split: Sheeraz backed as the bigger name, Janibek live enough that sharp bettors won't be scared off the underdog price if the fight actually gets made.

The bigger betting story for now may not be the fight itself but whether it happens at all. A step-aside deal or vacated title changes the entire tri-belt picture at 168 and would reroute futures markets built around Sheeraz fighting Canelo or Munguia down the line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Hamzah Sheeraz upset with the WBO?

Hamzah Sheeraz criticized the WBO for reducing Janibek Alimkhanuly's suspension after a positive meldonium test and then immediately ordering Sheeraz to defend his title against him at super middleweight.

Did Hamzah Sheeraz agree to fight Janibek Alimkhanuly?

No. Sheeraz declined to confirm whether he would take the fight, mentioning possible alternatives like an exemption, a step-aside deal, vacating his belt, or pursuing a unification bout instead.

What other fights could Hamzah Sheeraz pursue instead of Janibek?

Sheeraz's team has been eyeing a possible unification with Canelo Alvarez, contingent on Canelo first beating Christian Mbilli, with Jaime Munguia mentioned as another option, though neither fight is confirmed.