“I don’t think it’s right that you should fail the drugs test, come back and walk straight into a mandatory position,” Hearn told iFL TV. “I think Hamzah has been very hard done by. I’m not sure what he’s going to do.”
The concern sounds generous coming from a promoter who does not represent Sheeraz. Its timing makes it look more like an early recruiting pitch.
Sheeraz told The Ariel Helwani Show that his Queensberry agreement is nearing its end.
“I’ve got one fight left with Frank Warren’s Queensberry. We’ve had a great relationship, and we’ll see what happens. We’ll see what the options are,” Sheeraz said. “Ultimately, I want to do what’s best for my career, what’s best for me, what I feel is best for me. That could mean staying with Queensberry.”
Hearn has good reason to make Matchroom look welcoming. Anthony Joshua has been Matchroom’s Spindletop, the huge strike that poured money into the company for more than a decade. That well is nearly depleted, and the Tyson Fury fight may provide its final enormous payday. Hearn needs another British attraction capable of producing similar returns.
Sheeraz fits the job. He is young, popular in Britain, physically imposing, and easy to promote. Like Ben Whittaker, he has the ingredients Hearn can mold into a major attraction through heavy promotion and carefully selected fights.
The complaint about fairness is harder to accept. Sheeraz received a lofty WBO ranking at super middleweight immediately after his controversial draw with WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames. He was rewarded despite failing to win and without first defeating a ranked opponent at 168 pounds.
Hearn had no public objection when the WBO accelerated Sheeraz. His concern arrived when that privileged position came attached to Janibek, the kind of opponent capable of damaging Sheeraz’s earning potential.
There is no evidence that Hearn and Sheeraz have discussed a promotional agreement. Still, Hearn is showing Sheeraz how strongly Matchroom would advocate for him as he prepares to test the market.
Hearn may also face an expensive contest for Sheeraz’s signature. Sheeraz has identified Zuffa Boxing as one of the destinations he intends to investigate after completing the final fight on his Queensberry agreement.
“Definitely an avenue I’ll explore,” Sheeraz said. “I can’t say that I’ll 100% go with them because, like I said, I’m still in contract with Queensberry and I could still end up being with them. If and when I am a free agent, Zuffa is definitely an option I’ll explore.”
Zuffa has already taken Conor Benn from Matchroom with a deal believed to be highly lucrative. Hearn therefore understands the financial threat. If Dana White’s company decides it wants Sheeraz, Matchroom may have to spend heavily to secure Anthony Joshua’s potential replacement.
With Joshua’s well nearly dry, Hearn may see Sheeraz as Matchroom’s next Spindletop. Getting control of that well may prove expensive.
