British fighter Hamzah Sheeraz has withdrawn from his proposed bout with Janibek Alimkhanuly and relinquished his WBO super-middleweight title. The sanctioning body confirmed the decision on Friday night, September 18, 2026.
Sheeraz, 27, was mandated by the WBO to face Kazakhstan's Alimkhanuly. A purse bid for the right to host the fight was won by Sheeraz's promoters, Queensberry, with a bid of $1,001,809 (£747,903).
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri posted on X, confirming that Queensberry Promotions formally notified the WBO that Sheeraz had elected not to proceed with the mandatory obligation and had voluntarily relinquished his championship. Olivieri stated the WBO acknowledges and respects the decision.
The WBO World Championship Committee is set to issue a ruling on Monday, September 21, regarding the status of the WBO super-middleweight world championship and the division moving forward.