Hamzah Sheeraz Drops Berlanga: Shocking KO in New York. Full Results from Ring III Night

On July 12, 2025, the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York hosted a night of top-tier boxing with the Ring III event, broadcast on pay-per-view via DAZN. Anticipation was high for the main event between local hero Edgar Berlanga and Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz, making his debut at super middleweight. The New York crowd expected a triumphant night, but witnessed one of the year’s most shocking outcomes, as Sheeraz won via technical knockout. Let’s break down the main bout and the entire night of action.

Berlanga vs Sheeraz: Shocking Fifth-Round KO

The bout between Berlanga and Sheeraz started at a measured pace. In the early rounds, Berlanga was more active, trying to apply pressure with body shots and left straights. Sheeraz remained composed, studying his opponent and gauging the distance without rushing. In the fourth round, however, the fight took a brutal turn. An uppercut inside and a charging right hand sent Berlanga down twice in seconds. The referee allowed the bout to continue, but the Brooklyn native returned to his corner already shaken.

Round five lasted only 17 seconds: Sheeraz landed a left-right combination that hit Berlanga square in the face. Berlanga collapsed to the canvas, and referee David Fields waved it off without hesitation. A decisive and spectacular win for Sheeraz, sending a clear message to the super middleweight division.

Sheeraz’s Post-Fight Comments

After the bout, Sheeraz said:

“I was losing the early rounds, but we had a plan. I told Andy Lee [trainer] to trust me, and he did. So thank you.”
Source: BadLeftHook

When asked about Canelo Álvarez, Sheeraz replied:

“Canelo is a boxing hero to me. Just being mentioned in the same breath as him is an achievement. But if it ever happens… I’ll be in the center of the ring. Whoever lands first will knock the other out.”
Source: The Guardian

Stevenson Outclasses Zepeda to Retain Lightweight Title

In the co-main event, Shakur Stevenson gave a boxing lesson to Mexico’s William Zepeda, retaining the WBC lightweight world title. The bout was entirely one-sided: the Newark boxer neutralized every attack with pinpoint defense and constant jabs. Zepeda tried to close the gap, but Stevenson’s surgical precision kept him off rhythm for the entire fight.

The scorecards were clear: 118-110, 118-110, and 119-109. No doubt about Shakur’s dominance, as he controlled the action and avoided unnecessary risks. Though lacking fireworks, the performance confirmed Stevenson as the top tactician in the division. After the bout, he said he’d like to face the winner of Gervonta Davis vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko, expected later this year.

Matías Outpoints Puello in a Physical Battle

The fight between Subriel Matías and Alberto Puello was a gritty war. The two went toe-to-toe from the opening bell, trading heavy shots with no feeling-out phase. Matías applied constant pressure, moving forward and trapping Puello on the ropes. The Dominican tried to answer with jabs and lateral movement but struggled to handle the intensity.

The result was a majority decision: 114-114, 115-113, 115-113, reflecting the competitiveness of the bout. Though Puello had strong moments—especially between rounds four and six—Matías landed the more telling blows and dictated the pace. A deserved win that strengthens his status among the top light welterweights. Matías called for unification fights post-match, targeting the winner of Devin Haney vs. Gary Antuanne Russell.

Morrell Edges Khataev in Tough Contest

David Morrell earned a hard-fought yet significant win over Imam Khataev in one of the night’s most balanced matchups. The Russian surprised Morrell with fast combinations and powerful body work early, especially inside the clinch. Morrell, more experienced at the elite level, tried to slow the pace and land counters off the break.

The final score was a split decision: 96-93 and 95-94 for Morrell, 95-94 for Khataev. The Cuban showed more clarity in the closing rounds, doing just enough to secure the win. However, the performance was less dominant than usual. Morrell stated he wants a top 5 WBA opponent before the end of 2025 to rejoin the world title conversation.

Reito Tsutsumi Wins Opening Bout Against Michael Ruiz

The night opened with a featherweight bout between Japan’s Reito Tsutsumi and American Michael Ruiz, scheduled for four rounds. Tsutsumi displayed discipline, technique, and decent power, troubling Ruiz with clean shots and strong distance control. Ruiz tried to close the gap, but Tsutsumi’s superior ring IQ prevailed.

All three judges scored the fight unanimously in favor of Tsutsumi. While not a show-stealing contest, it introduced fans to a solid new Asian prospect. Tsutsumi’s team expressed plans to feature him again in September on Top Rank’s Asian undercards.

Ring III Results Recap – July 12, 2025

An unforgettable night, full of drama and big moments, that propels Hamzah Sheeraz into global title contention.