Hamzah Sheeraz is once again without a confirmed opponent after Diego Pacheco withdrew from their previously ordered fight for the vacant WBO super middleweight title.
Sheeraz remains in position to fight for the title, but officials must now determine a new challenger. Pacheco stepped away amid a transitional period in his career, which includes his decision to focus on securing a new head trainer after parting ways with Jose Benavidez Snr. He has also recently aligned with Sheer Sports Management while continuing talks with Matchroom Boxing.
Attention could now shift to Denmark’s Jacob Bank, who sits just below Pacheco in the WBO rankings and fights former IBF champion William Scull this weekend. A victory could prompt immediate action from the sanctioning body, assuming Saul “Canelo” Alvarez remains unavailable. Alvarez is still ranked No. 1 by the WBO despite losing the undisputed title to Terence Crawford last September.
Crawford’s retirement has left the super middleweight division in flux, with multiple belts reassigned or awaiting resolution. Jose Armando Resendiz was upgraded to full WBA champion, while Christian Mbilli was elevated by the WBC after an ordered bout with Sheeraz was scrapped. The IBF, meanwhile, has ordered Osleys Iglesias and Pavel Silyagin to negotiate for its title, with talks reportedly well advanced.
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