STWF Sports | Dec. 22, 2025 – Hamzah Sheeraz has been handed the biggest opportunity of his career after the WBO officially ordered him to face Diego Pacheco for the vacant super-middleweight world title. With Terence Crawford walking away from the sport at the peak of his powers, a new chapter is set to begin at 168 pounds—and it could feature one of the most intriguing matchups in the division.
Crawford sent shockwaves through boxing in September when he dismantled Canelo Alvarez to become undisputed super-middleweight champion. Soon after, “Bud” vacated his WBC belt amid a dispute over sanctioning fees, while leaving the door ajar for a potential rematch with Alvarez. That sequel never materialised. Instead, Crawford stunned the sport again by announcing his retirement, informing the governing bodies he would relinquish his remaining titles, including the WBO strap.
With the belt now vacant, the WBO has moved quickly. It has ordered a fight between unbeaten American contender Diego Pacheco and Britain’s towering Hamzah Sheeraz, formally notifying Queensberry Promotions and Matchroom Boxing. Negotiations are set to begin immediately, with purse bids looming should the parties fail to reach an agreement. The minimum bid has been set at $300,000, underlining the significance of the bout.
A second shot at world glory for Sheeraz
For Sheeraz, the call-up represents a chance at redemption and reinvention. The Ilford native came agonisingly close to world honours at middleweight, settling for a controversial draw against Carlos Adames earlier in his career. That result left lingering questions about what might have been, but his move up to super-middleweight has already begun to answer them.
In July, Sheeraz made a thunderous statement in his 168-pound debut by stopping Edgar Berlanga, a victory that instantly announced him as a serious force in the new division. That performance propelled him to No. 4 in the WBO rankings, just one spot behind Pacheco at No. 3, and convinced many that his size, power and composure are better suited to the higher weight class.
Now, at the second time of asking, Sheeraz has the chance to claim a world title—and to do so against an opponent widely regarded as one of the division’s brightest talents.
Pacheco’s rise—and first signs of vulnerability
Diego Pacheco enters the bout with a pristine 25-0 record and growing momentum on the American scene. The 23-year-old enjoyed a productive year, registering three wins and enhancing his reputation as a technically sound, physically imposing super-middleweight.
However, his most recent outing provided a reminder that even the most promising prospects are not invincible. In December, Pacheco was forced to rise from the canvas before rallying to defeat Kevin Lele Sadjo. While the comeback win showcased his resilience and heart, it also punctured the aura of inevitability that had begun to surround him—something Sheeraz and his team will undoubtedly have noted.
That moment of vulnerability could embolden the Briton, who carries significant power and confidence following the Berlanga victory.
A fight with global appeal
Pacheco, for his part, has embraced the challenge and sees the bout as one of the most compelling matchups available at 168 pounds. He has even suggested the fight could thrive on British soil.
“Sheeraz, after looking great and knocking Berlanga out, he got a lotta recognition here in the U.S.,” Pacheco said. “I think a fight with him would be huge here in the States, in Saudi or even in the UK. I think that would be a really big fight.
“And honestly, I see that as one of the best fights in the division right now. Sheeraz is the guy I wanna go after now.”
With Crawford’s exit creating a power vacuum at super-middleweight, the WBO title fight between Sheeraz and Pacheco promises more than just a belt. It offers a chance to crown a new standard-bearer in one of boxing’s most talent-rich divisions—and to shape the future of the 168-pound landscape in 2026.
