HAMZAH SHEERAZ has rammed Bradley Skeete’s threats back at him, taunting: “You’ve never smashed anyone.”
The red-hot Ilford prospect makes the fourth defense of his WBO European Super-Welterweight title against Skeete at Copper Box Arena, London on Saturday December 4, live on BT Sport.
It’s a huge step up for Sheeraz, while former British Welterweight champion Skeete must win to keep his big-time career alive.
Sheeraz, 22, who trains in Los Angeles under Ricky Funez said: “I have seen a few interviews where he said he wants to come and smash my face in.
“In the most respectful way possible I don’t think Bradley has smashed anybody’s face in.
“He has outboxed opponents and outclassed them, but in all honesty he has smashed no one’s face in.
“I’m hoping he does try to do that because it will be an even more entertaining fight to meet him in the middle of that ring.
“This a good fight, no it’s a great fight and as Frank Warren described it’s a breakout for me.”
Although Sheeraz jumped at the chance to face Skeete when the fight was offered he never expected to meet his South London rival who trains in Sheffield under Dominic Ingle.
Sheeraz was still a teenager when he had had his fourth and fifth professional fights on bills in Brentwood when Skeete was World ranked and the star attraction.
Hamzah can even recall sparring with his latest rival just a few months after leaving school while working as an apprentice electrician.
He added: “It’s mad to think I was on his undercards three years ago and now he is challenging for my belt.
“When I used to train with Dominic Negus I sparred with Bradley when I was 17 before I turned professional with Frank.
“Dominic said after the spar that I would fight him one day and I didn’t think anything of what he had said.
“When I boxed on Bradley’s undercard I wasn’t thinking of us ever meeting because he was looking at a World title shot against Jeff Horn, but he didn’t get that fight.
“Here we are and this is a great opportunity for myself.”