Hamzah Sheeraz Vacates WBO Title Rather Than Fight Drug-Tested Janibek
Hamzah Sheeraz gave up his WBO super middleweight belt instead of facing Janibek Alimkhanuly after a meldonium positive.
Hamzah Sheeraz has vacated his WBO super middleweight title rather than defend it against mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly, citing the Kazakh fighter's positive test for meldonium as the reason.
Sheeraz's manager Ade Oladipo defended the decision in an interview with Boxing News 24. "If Hamzah Sheeraz is being forced to fight a guy coming off a ban for taking drugs, the sport's in a crazy place," Oladipo said. He questioned why someone who "cheated in your last fight" should receive an immediate title opportunity.
Janibek tested positive for meldonium and served a suspension. Despite that history, the WBO named him as the mandatory challenger. Queensberry Promotions won the purse bid at just over $1 million, which would have left Sheeraz with approximately $750,000, a modest payday for a title defense.
The principle argument has its holes, though. Boxing News 24 pointed out that Sheeraz remains interested in fighting Canelo Alvarez, who served a six-month suspension in 2018 after testing positive for clenbuterol. That inconsistency suggests the decision was partly financial. A loss to Janibek could damage Sheeraz's undefeated record and market value ahead of free agency negotiations with major promoters.
Oladipo framed the vacating as standing up for clean sport. Critics see it as asset protection dressed up in principle. Either way, the WBO super middleweight title is vacant, and Sheeraz walks away with his undefeated record intact but without the belt.
I respect the stance against a guy who popped for meldonium. Sheeraz's camp has every right to question why a fighter coming off a drug ban gets rewarded with a mandatory title shot. That's a fair point and the WBO should answer for it.
But the Canelo thing is a problem. You can't refuse to fight one guy because he tested positive and then chase a fight with another guy who also tested positive. Pick a lane. Either you're the clean sport crusader or you're a businessman protecting your record before free agency. Both are fine, but don't pretend it's one when it's the other.
The $750K purse probably sealed the deal. That's low money for a risky fight with no upside. I get the math even if the messaging is messy.
