HAMZAH SHEERAZ is treating his boxing career as a jail sentence — with Anthony Joshua in the cell next door.
The Ilford-born middleweight, 25, faces Dominican Carlos Adames in Riyadh on Saturday, with the WBC crown and a step closer to freedom at stake.
GettyHamzah Sheeraz faces Carlos Adames in Riyadh[/caption]
It has been a rocky road for the Londoner, whose dad was in and out of jail, which meant his mum raised Sheeraz and his two younger siblings almost single-handedly.
When the 21-0 ace was reminded that AJ once compared boxing to a stretch behind bars, Sheeraz laughs that even the good days are like being banged up.
He said: “AJ isn’t wrong. Even after you have won a fight, it is only like being in a cat-D prison.
“It’s like I am still on tag and have to be at home at certain times. The way AJ put it into perspective is spot-on.
“I never really looked at it like that before.”
Despite his dedication to his mum — who sold her jewellery at times when former Gloucestershire cricketer Kamran was locked up — Sheeraz has flown the nest to help realise his dream.
Training camps are held in California, where he and American coach Ricky Funez have formed a brilliant bond.
And his downtime is split between Dubai and Saudi Arabia, where he hopes to be crowned this weekend.
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Full fight card
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2
Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker
Shakur Stevenson vs Floyd Schofield
Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
With a huge family and a proud British-Pakistani community pulling him in all directions, home visits are becoming shorter and the comforts are being craved.
Despite squeezing his 6ft 3in frame into 11st 7lb, Sheeraz said: “I miss fish and chips.
“I don’t want to miss Arsenal winning loads of titles and trophies in the next few years.
“I thought I had time to catch up with the family after the last fight but it was probably only two days and then I was off again. I don’t mean to sound harsh but that was enough!
“All my family understand the vision and for the next five to seven years I really need to capitalise on my opportunities and give 100 per cent to my craft.”
Barring a surprise 2023 sparring session with pop star Justin Bieber and a few verbals with Chris Eubank Jr, Sheeraz swerves the limelight.
He knows he could command bigger purses and get more attention by playing up for the cameras.
But he added: “I know a lot of fighters say ‘I let my fists do the talking’ — but I am the perfect example of doing that.
“When my fists do the talking, they also put bums on seats. I don’t have to talk s**t and then win a boring fight.
“My sole objective when I get in the ring is to knock them out. Not just win.
“That is why I am getting the right attention and the right fights.”
GettySheeraz has middleweight world titles in his sights[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
