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Ring Magazine III Hosts The Grand Arrivals For Berlanga vs Sheeraz Fight Card

Originally posted on Fights Around The World | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 5:01 PM ET

NEW YORK – July 8, 2025 – Ahead of Ring Magazine III, former unified super middleweight title challenger Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga and former WBC middleweight title challenger Hamzah Sheeraz as well as WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson and WBC Interim lightweight titleholder William “El Camarón” Zepeda along with other fighters on the card made their grand arrivals today at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square ahead of fight night in Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. The event will take place on Saturday, July 12, live worldwide exclusively on DAZN PPV (5 p.m. ET) and is brought to you in association with Oscar De La Hoya for Golden Boy Promotions.

Tuesday’s grand arrivals featured the four-fighters from the double-main event: Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) and Sheeraz (21-0-1, 17 KOs) who meet in a 12-round WBC super middleweight final title eliminator, Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) and Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) squaring off for Stevenson’s WBC title over 12 rounds.

Also making their grand arrivals were WBC Junior Welterweight Champion Alberto Puello (24-0 10 KOs) and former IBF 140 lb beltholder Subriel Matias (22-2, 22 KOs) ahead of their clash, and former WBA (Regular) Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) who takes on the undefeated 2020 Olympian Imam Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs). Japanese boxing prodigy and Ring Ambassador Reito Tsutsumi (1-0, 0 KOs), was introduced to the media in attendance as well before he steps into the ring for a six-round featherweight fight. Kicking off the undercard on Saturday will be lightweight prospect Mohammed “Mighty” Alakel (4-0, 0 KOs) taking on Placido Hoff (2-3-1, 0 KOs) in a six-round bout.

Here is what the fighters had to say during their grand arrivals:

Edgar Berlanga

What are your plans for Hamzah on Saturday night?

“We’re ready and locked in. It’s a big night, July 12, and we’re going to turn up.”

How’s the moment feel being here in New York ahead of Saturday?

“It’s amazing. I want to thank my people, everybody that’s coming out July 12. I’m super locked in and I’m ready to perform. It’s a blessing to be here, to headline in New York where I was born and raised – it’s the concrete jungle.”

Do you have any message to Hamzah and his team?

“I don’t give a f*** about them. F*** them. They already know the vibes. On July 12, I’m going to kick his a** and move on to the next one.”

With what’s been said around the plans for the winner of this fight, what would a win mean for you?

“He [Sheeraz] has to go through me first. July 12 is the night I’m looking forward to right now. There’s a lot in the future and a lot of big fights to be made, but like I said, this weekend I have to f*** this motherf***** up. That’s it and then we move on.”

Hamzah Sheeraz

How are you feeling moving up to 168 lbs?

“I’m feeling great and looking forward to putting on a spectacular performance in front of both the Puerto Rican and Mexican fans. I’m glad to have the opportunity here.”

Why is Saturday’s fight different?

“I have a lot to prove. This is my first fight in America and I’ve received an amazing reception here…a lot of love. I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

What is your final message to fans across the world and here in New York before Saturday?

“It’s going to be a great performance, a great fight, and it’s my time to give back to you all.”

Shakur Stevenson

What was that signal you made towards Team Zepeda?

“I just wanted to let them know that I’m ready and I’m coming. This is my spot, my opportunity, and I can’t wait to show the fans who I truly am.”

Are you getting a little more energy knowing you have the chance to remind everyone how great you’ve been at every level of boxing?

“There’s a lot of doubters and haters, people who think that I’m not who I say I am. So, come Saturday night we’ll see if they’re right or wrong, but I promise you they’re wrong.”

What’s going on with all the Tom and Jerry discussions online?

“If you call me Jerry then I’m whopping Tom’s a**. That’s what I’m coming here for.”

What was your message to Zepeda?

“Belt to motherf****** a**. Belt, belt, belt.”

William Zepeda

It’s your first time in New York, but you’ve already been here in your head. What did you visualize about this experience?

“I’m very happy and excited to be here in New York. I never thought that only a few years later I’d be chasing a title here in the city that never sleeps. I visualized myself getting a victory here and taking a walk with my title and belt in Central Park.”

What does it mean to be facing a fighter with a deep pedigree in amateur boxing, a silver medalist olympian?

“I’m sure that I’m facing a very worthy opponent, I certainly understand his skills. I’m just going to take this opportunity and write my victory in the boxing history books with golden letters.”

Alberto Puello

Why are you so willing to show your Dominican power?

“Of course, first and foremost I want to thank God and my team for bringing me up to a higher level. I’m ready to go to war on Saturday.”

What do you have to prove on Saturday?

“On Saturday, with this victory we’re going to show that Puerto Rico has their own legacy, but the Dominican Republic will also show up and show out.”

Subriel Matias

How does it feel being back here in New York?

“I’m very happy. Not only am I very grateful to my team, but also my promoter because they made this possible.”

What did you take to heart after the loss to Liam Paro?

“It’s about maturity, being able to accept [mistakes] and understanding that they have a cost. That was my day and it was my price to pay. Now I’m ready and he’s ready.”

What does it mean to fight like a local in New york and how does it motivate you?

“Besides being in Puerto Rico, there’s a beast within me that’s getting ready to come out and it’s going to come out and show up on Saturday. Let’s hope they [Puello] can control that beast.”