Hamzah Sheeraz: The Future Face of British Boxing Reveals all! Nearly Gave Up Boxing. Money, Deceit, KO'ing Berlanga, Canelo Fight
Hamzah Sheeraz joins Darren Barker on First Round TV for his most honest, raw and revealing interview yet.
From growing up without a father figure to working as an apprentice electrician at 15 just to help his family eat, Hamzah opens up about the pressure, pain, and sacrifice behind his rise through boxing. He shares the emotional aftermath of his controversial draw with Carlos Adames, the brutal silence that followed, and the people who turned their backs when the wins stopped.
Hamzah reflects on what it really takes to reach the top, how the wrong people nearly derailed his career, and why he’s now rebuilt his mindset, team, and weight class under new trainer Andy Lee. He talks captaincy at Riyadh’s 5v5, facing the toughest puncher he’s ever been in with, and chasing greatness at 168lbs — with Edgar Berlanga next, and Canelo in his sights.
This is the untold story of Britain’s most exciting middleweight contender.
🎙 Topics include:
- Growing up in East London without a dad
- Working to support his mum at age 15
- The Adames fight and post-fight backlash
- Taking full accountability for defeat
- Why he changed trainers and moved to 168lbs
- Life-changing moments inside and outside the ring
- Being captain at the Riyadh 5v5
- His relationship with His Excellency
- Faith, pressure, and boxing’s brutal truths
- Canelo aspirations and redemption
🎧 Listen now and get inside the mind of boxing’s most quietly dangerous contender.
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Boxing, Boxer, British Boxing, Sports, Heavyweight boxing, Boxing legends, Boxing talk, Boxing History, Boxing Champions,
Transcript
00:00 – Welcome Hamzah Sheeraz
Darren Barker introduces rising star Hamzah Sheeraz to First Round TV.
00:47 – Golf banter and early chemistry
Darren and Hamzah share some laughs and talk golf.
01:44 – The Sergio Martinez story
Hamzah reacts to Martinez’s quote about missed calls after defeat.
02:30 – Post-fight silence and backlash
Hamzah opens up about the loneliness after the controversial draw.
03:25 – Support from mum and Tony Bellew
Only two people reach out post-fight – Hamzah shares who.
04:20 – Childhood, adversity and maturity
His father’s arrest forced him to grow up fast.
05:30 – Paying bills at 15
Hamzah discusses stepping up to support his family.
06:50 – Balancing work and boxing
He pauses boxing to become an apprentice electrician.
07:35 – Return to boxing and sparring pros
Hamzah recalls the moment his pro career began.
08:25 – Boxing origins in the family
Inspired by his uncle, Hamzah enters the sport.
09:00 – Amateur experience with 100+ fights
A look back at a busy amateur career.
09:45 – Modest goals: just turning pro
He shares his simple original dream: becoming a pro.
10:40 – Debut at Copper Box Arena
Fighting on Billy Joe Saunders’ undercard.
11:30 – Ryan Kelly fight: first step-up
Winning the WBO European title changed everything.
12:35 – Learning lessons in the pros
Reflections on key moments and career pivots.
13:45 – Bradley Skeet fight and criticism
Handling backlash and learning from controversy.
14:55 – Weight issues and adjustments
Realising 154lbs was too much to cut.
15:40 – Building momentum at middleweight
Hamzah’s five straight stoppages and confidence boost.
16:30 – Dominating Liam Williams
A surprising, explosive win over a former champ.
17:25 – Team captain in Saudi’s 5v5
Selected as Frank Warren’s team captain.
18:35 – Captaincy pressure and motivation
Frank Warren delivers unexpected news pre-press conference.
19:25 – Facing Ammo Williams
Discussing the hardest puncher he’s faced.
20:10 – Rebuilding confidence
How a tough fight restored Hamzah’s belief.
20:50 – Relationship with His Excellency
Gratitude for support and boxing’s revival.
21:35 – Tyler Denny and Wembley
Reflecting on the moment and staying focused.
22:20 – Pressure of being the favourite
Fighting smart despite heavy expectations.
23:05 – Value of the European title
Respect for a milestone often overlooked.
24:00 – Complacency and distractions
How success affected mindset and hunger.
24:50 – Influence of the wrong people
Why environment and team dynamics matter.
25:40 – World title shot vs Adames
Mindset shifts and pressure going into the biggest fight.
26:30 – Overthinking and outcome-focused
Letting the stakes disrupt his process.
27:20 – Fighting not to lose
The danger of defensive thinking in big fights.
28:05 – Hand injury during the bout
Fourth-round injury and learning to adapt.
28:50 – The draw that felt like a loss
Mental toll and emotional aftermath.
29:30 – Social media and team disappointment
What hurt most after the fight.
30:10 – Taking accountability
The quote Hamzah lives by: “I opened the window.”
30:50 – Team changes: Enter Andy Lee
Why Andy Lee became the right coach.
31:40 – New weight at 168 pounds
Why the move up suits him.
32:30 – Edgar Berlanga fight preview
Taking risks and jumping back into big fights.
33:15 – Fighting abroad but loyal to UK fans
He still values the British crowd most.
34:00 – Canelo at Wembley?
Hamzah dreams big, but keeps it real.
34:40 – Retiring his mum: the real win
The moment that meant the most.
35:30 – Drill music and ring walk choices
A surprising taste in music and mood-setting.
36:15 – Darren learns Gen Z slang
"No cap," "driller," and other lingo decoded.
37:10 – Usyk vs Dubois: Chess match?
Hamzah breaks down tactics and outcome.
38:00 – Low blow debate
Was Dubois' shot to Usyk legal?
38:40 – Joseph Parker’s deserved shot
Consistency earns the opportunity.
39:20 – Mount Rushmore of Boxing
Hamzah picks his four all-time greats.
40:00 – Sparring stories and punchers
Best fighters and hardest hitters he’s faced.
40:45 – 18-month vision: Canelo Alvarez
The next 18 months are locked in.
41:10 – Change in judging criteria?
Why judges should have combat experience.
41:50 – Legacy vs Money?
Hamzah shares an honest answer.
42:30 – Who’s next in British boxing?
He praises Moses Itauma as the next star.
43:10 – Reflecting on his journey
Pride in how far he’s come.
43:50 – Hamzah’s mission off camera
Helping others is the long-term legacy.
44:30 – Final thoughts and sign-off
Darren wraps up a powerful, honest episode.
