Sheeraz’s Battle: The Challenges Against Berlanga

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Sheeraz will also have first fight with new trainer Andy Lee. Sheerez changed things up from Ricky Funez after the Adames fight. Lee has developed a reputation for being one of the most exciting trainers in the game, having worked with the likes of Tyson Fury, Ben Whittaker and Joseph Parker. Lee develops his fighters by improving their fundamentals while also adding an attacking element of flair. With Sheeraz being 6-foot-3, will he be able to impose that game plan on Berlanga? 

There is also the question of the additional weight. Sheeraz makes his debut at 168 pounds. The Adames fight showed that he struggled to make the 160-pound limit. Sheeraz has the frame to add the weight. However, facing Berlanga will be no easy feat. Berlanga’s record stands at 23-1-0, with 18 knockouts to his name. Berlanga has two knockouts from his last three fights, as Sheeraz may have to be wary of the body shots. 

Berlanga also has more experience. He has been boxing at 168 pounds since 2020. While he may have missed weight for his last fight, Berlanga has faced boxers who are bigger than him.  Berlanga has wins over Roamer Alexis Angulo (defeated by UD, June 2022) who had a slightly longer reach (75 inches, 191 cm), Demond Nicholson (defeated by TKO, April 2021; Height: 6 ft 0 in, 183 cm; Reach: 73 inches, 185 cm) and Jason Quigley (defeated by UD, June 2023; Height: 6 ft 1 in, 185 cm; Reach: 71.5 – 72.5 inches, 182-184 cm) to name a few. 

Sheeraz will also have to guard against a first-round stoppage. Berlanga had 16 consecutive KOs, which took him to 16-0 before that ended. However, Berlanga has picked up things from there after his last first-round KO against Gonzalez-Ortiz. Sheeraz will have to avoid exchanging too early, even if there is pressure on him to perform in the United States to get his name out there.