Boxing: Queensberry wins purse bid for Hamzah Sheeraz vs Janibek Alimkhanuly

Queensberry secures promotional rights

Queensberry Promotions has secured the promotional rights for the WBO super middleweight world title fight between Hamzah Sheeraz and Janibek Alimkhanuly. The British promotional company submitted a winning bid just over one million dollars ($1,001,809), beating Top Rank's rival offer of $820,000.

For staging the encounter, promoter Frank Warren is targeting dates of November 28 or December 5, with London, Birmingham, or New York City proposed as potential host locations. Under the purse split rules, reigning champion Sheeraz is guaranteed 75% of the total purse, leaving the remaining 25% to Alimkhanuly.

A mandatory order disputed by Sheeraz

The title fight was formally ordered by the WBO after Alimkhanuly moved up to the super middleweight division and was installed as the mandatory challenger. This designation drew sharp public criticism from Sheeraz, who questioned the sanctioning body's ruling in light of the Kazakh fighter's failed drug test last year.

Despite his promoter winning the bid, the bout's realization ultimately rests on Sheeraz's final decision. The British champion has not ruled out vacating his WBO belt to pursue other lucrative opportunities instead of facing Alimkhanuly, though giving up the title could diminish his leverage in future negotiations against the division's biggest names.