The modest purse leaves Sheeraz cornered, forcing him to choose between risking his belt or openly swerving the most dangerous assignment out there. Sheeraz spent weeks laying the groundwork for an exit, complaining on the Mr. Verzace Podcast that the money would come in considerably low for what he admitted was the stiffest challenge of his career. That talk was an obvious insurance policy designed to soften the blow if he decides to run for the hills.
Now that the numbers are locked in, walking away will look terrible for the champion. Dropping the strap to avoid Janibek will be viewed as a blatant duck, cementing the perception that Sheeraz wants no part of a genuine elite puncher. Fleeing the division to jump into Zuffa Boxing might protect his record inside an in-house roster, but it leaves his reputation in shreds.
Queensberry has zero reason to play along with that escape plan. Feeding Sheeraz another soft touch on his way out the door does nothing for Frank Warren. A meaningless showcase fails to move the needle on DAZN, leaves arena seats empty, and merely protects Sheeraz’s market value for a rival promoter.
Warren ought to hold Sheeraz’s feet to the fire by demanding the hardest fight on the board. Janibek remains the obvious choice since the purse bid is settled. If Sheeraz bolts, Queensberry should pivot straight to Osleys Iglesias, Diego Pacheco, or rugged contenders Kevin Lele Sadjo and Jacob Bank.
If Sheeraz somehow faces Janibek or Iglesias and wins, Queensberry sends him off with a legitimate, signature victory. If he loses, the bubble bursts before Zuffa cuts him a massive check.
That hype train already suffered major damage in July. Simon Zachenhuber dragged Sheeraz into deep water, trapping him against the ropes, battering his guard, and making him look utterly ordinary. Escaping with a questionable majority decision wiped away the shine from the Edgar Berlanga knockout and exposed glaring flaws in Sheeraz’s game.
Fans watched Sheeraz struggle with an unheralded opponent, and the consensus right now is that Janibek would dismantle him. Vacating the title to chase Iglesias or Pacheco might salvage a shred of credibility by showing money was the issue. Vacating just to hide against another Alem Begic or Zachenhuber-tier fighter makes the verdict academic. It would confirm Sheeraz ran scared from a test he knew he could not pass.
Queensberry Promotions wins the WBO purse bid for Sheeraz vs. Alimkhanuly with a $1,001,809 offer.
📍 Proposed locations: London, Birmingham or New York. pic.twitter.com/pbolvZeqDR
— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) September 16, 2026
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