Breaking News: Hamzah Sheeraz Ordered to Fight Diego Pacheco for Vacant WBO Super Middleweight Championship
As of December 22, 2025, the boxing world has been abuzz with the latest development in the super middleweight division. Hamzah Sheeraz, the undefeated British boxer with a record of 22-0-1 and 18 KOs, has been ordered to fight Diego Pacheco, another undefeated boxer with a record of 25-0 and 18 KOs, for the vacant WBO super middleweight championship. This exciting matchup comes on the heels of Terence Crawford’s retirement, who left behind a perfect 42-0 record and the undisputed title in the division after his impressive victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in September.
The WBO has mandated that Sheeraz, promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry, face off against Pacheco, promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, for the vacant title. This is not Sheeraz’s first opportunity to become a world champion, as he was previously mandated by the WBC to fight for their vacant super middleweight title, which they stripped from Crawford before his retirement. Sheeraz was set to fight Christian Mbilli for the WBC belt, but now he has a second chance to claim a world title.
A Look at the Fighters
Sheeraz made a successful super middleweight debut earlier this year, knocking out Edgar Berlanga in an explosive performance. His sole world title shot prior to this came in the middleweight division, where he fought to a draw against Carlos Adames for the WBC title. Pacheco, on the other hand, boasts an undefeated record of 25-0, with 18 KOs, making him a formidable opponent for Sheeraz.
The promoters of Sheeraz and Pacheco have 20 days to agree on the terms of the fight, including the purse split, date, and venue. If they fail to reach an agreement, the fight will go to purse bids in accordance with WBO rules. This highly anticipated matchup is expected to take place in 2026, and boxing fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting the outcome.
What’s at Stake
The vacant WBO super middleweight championship is up for grabs, and both fighters will be looking to claim the title and establish themselves as a dominant force in the division. With their undefeated records and impressive knockout ratios, this fight promises to be an exciting and closely contested matchup. As the boxing world continues to evolve, this fight will be a key moment in the careers of both Sheeraz and Pacheco, and will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the super middleweight division.
