Middleweight contender Hamzah Sheeraz believes a big carrot is dangling over his head when it comes to winning the biggest fight of his career on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

It’s the Last Crescendo. Artur Beterbiev defends his Undisputed World Light Heavyweight World Titles against Dmitry Bivol on February 22 in an unmissable rematch, headlining an iconic Riyadh Season extravaganza - live worldwide on DAZN. (photos by Mark Robinson)

Few could have anticipated the impact that Riyadh Season would have on professional boxing when two-time heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, and MMA superstar, Francis Ngannou, announced that they would meet in a cross discipline super fight back in October 2023.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA -- In the Mandarin Hotel's lounge area, a fan spots Hamzah Sheeraz and asks for a picture. He's not the only one. Soon enough one turns to three and before long, the 25-year-old's engaging in conversation as he gears up for his maiden world title shot against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames, some 11 miles from here, on February 22.

Carlos Adames is ready and pumped to defend his WBC middleweight championship against undefeated puncher Hamzah Sheeraz.

There’s nothing wrong with a little confidence but Carlos Adames believes that Erickson Lubin took it overboard. For several months, Lubin made it known that he would love to fight The Ring’s No. 3 ranked middleweight and current WBC champion, despite campaigning one weight class below. Some competition and self-belief isn’t something that Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) has a problem with. The reigning champion is under the assumption that Lubin was using his name for clout and never intended on facing him. His spurious callouts, coupled with what Adames considers a clearly inferior skill set, led to him ripping the American junior middleweight contender.

Janibek Alimkhanuly thought he knew exactly who his next opponent would be. Every chance he got, Hamzah Sheeraz called The Ring and unified middleweight champion out. Alimkhanuly barely said a word. He allowed Sheeraz to say what he wanted without giving much of a rebuttal.

It kind of came out of nowhere but Hamzah Sheeraz isn’t complaining. A world title showdown with Janibek Alimkhanuly is what he wanted more than anything else, though next month he boxes WBC titleholder Carlos Adames knowing his time at middleweight is limited with future goals elsewhere. Canelo Alvarez, unified champion in the division above, is a possibility he's working hard towards.

It’s the Last Crescendo. Artur Beterbiev defends his Undisputed World Light Heavyweight World Titles against Dmitry Bivol on February 22 in an unmissable rematch, headlining an Riyadh Season extravaganza - live worldwide on DAZN. (photos by Mark Robinson)

Middleweight boxing has been in the doldrums in recent years, but Hamzah Sheeraz could help usher its rightful return to prominence. One of the sport's original glamour divisions has been starved of big-time fights at 160 pounds since Canelo Alvarez's move up to super-middleweight and Gennady Golovkin's apparent exit from in-ring action.