LONDON — Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions has won the rights to promote Hamzah Sheeraz's WBO super middleweight title defense against mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly after securing the official purse bid for just over $1 million, as reported by ESPN. The winning bid topped Top Rank's offer of $820,000 and moves the ordered title fight a step closer after doubts about whether it would materialize.
Warren said he is targeting London or Birmingham in England, or New York as potential host locations for the bout. The promoter identified two proposed dates for the fight, either Nov. 28 or Dec. 5, as the window for staging the WBO-ordered matchup.
Sheeraz has been vocal about his view that Alimkhanuly is undeserving of the mandatory title shot following a failed drug test last year that led to a period of inactivity. Alimkhanuly has since been cleared to resume his career and was ordered by the WBO as the mandatory challenger, setting up the required defense.
Under the purse bid terms, Sheeraz would receive 75% of the winning bid, amounting to roughly $750,000, if he accepts the fight. If he declines to take the mandatory defense at that figure, he would risk losing the belt while seeking other opportunities and potentially bigger paydays elsewhere.