WBO Orders Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Diego Pacheco for Vacant Super Middleweight Title

The hunt for a new WBO super middleweight champion is officially underway. On Monday, the sanctioning body ordered unbeaten contenders Hamzah Sheeraz and Diego Pacheco to fight for its vacant 168-pound title the belt recently relinquished by newly retired three-division undisputed champion Terence Crawford.

The matchup pits two of the division’s most promising young talents against one another, with the winner emerging as a first-time world champion in a suddenly wide-open weight class.

A Division Without Crawford Opens the Door

Crawford, who captured the undisputed super middleweight crown in September with a masterful win over Canelo Álvarez, retired earlier this month, leaving all four belts in flux. The WBO became the first sanctioning body to move toward establishing a new champion, ordering its No. 2 and No. 3 contenders to square off.

Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) and Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs) both boast undefeated records and knockout power and both have expressed interest in fighting each other before. Now, the WBO appears ready to make it a reality.

Sheeraz: A Rebound Year Ends With Another Title Shot

At 26 years old, Hamzah Sheeraz is coming off a roller-coaster 2025 campaign:

Early-Year Setback

• Challenged WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames in February

• Faded late and settled for a split decision draw many observers felt he was lucky to salvage

Move to 168 Paid Immediate Dividends

Recognizing he had outgrown middleweight, Sheeraz moved up to super middleweight and looked rejuvenated.

• July 12 (Ring III, New York): Scored a dominant, career-reinvigorating fifth-round knockout of Edgar Berlanga

The performance reestablished Sheeraz as one of the sport’s biggest rising threats. Now, he is one win away from becoming a world champion.

Pacheco: Three Wins, One Scare, and a Mandatory Shot

Pacheco, 24, also delivered a strong 2025, going 3-0 with decision wins over:

• Steven Nelson

• Trevor McCumby

• Kevin Lele Sadjo (December 13)

His victory over Sadjo required grit Pacheco survived the first knockdown of his career before rallying to win convincingly on the scorecards. That comeback solidified him as a legitimate title contender and the WBO’s clear choice for the vacant slot.

The Ring rates Pacheco No. 5 at super middleweight, making this matchup a top-tier clash between two elite young fighters.

A Natural Matchup With Major Stakes

Both Sheeraz and Pacheco have been on a collision course for more than a year. They’ve traded respectful interest in the matchup, openly stating they expect to meet sooner rather than later.

Thanks to Crawford’s departure and the WBO’s quick action, “someday” now looks like early 2026.

With Canelo’s era at 168 winding down and the division’s belts up for grabs, the Sheeraz-Pacheco winner could find himself not only a champion, but a major player in the next generation of super middleweight stars.