Boxing
Would Carlos Adames rematch be right move for Hamzah Sheeraz?
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Carlos Adames believes Hamzah Sheeraz should offer him a rematch - but is it worth the Briton's time to pursue a second dance?
The Dominican-French fighter returned to the ring last weekend for the first time since he drew with the Briton in February 2025.
A unanimous decision victory ensured the star retained his WBC middleweight crown, before he namechecked his old rival again.
"I was the one who beat him," he said after victory over Austin Williams. "It's him that should want it. He should send me the offer."
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Adames, like many fighters, needs little convincing of his own merits. But despite his claims, a split-draw is not a victory to anyone.
He may have lost in 2019 to Patrick Teixeira, but peace appears to have been made with his lone reverse. This may be different.
That extra digit on his record will still sting the star, even as he bucked plenty of punditry to ensure he left with his title back then.
Perhaps more so than Sheeraz, Adames may desire another fight. Yet, truth be told, it is not a bout that the former needs right now.
A new challenge in another world
Sheeraz arrived in Riyadh last winter tipped to dethrone Adames, only to come up short under the spotlights in an often tetchy fight.
Plenty of rivals questioned if the star's reputation was all that it had been cracked up to be, especially as he switched to super-middleweight.
The Slough-born fighter answered his critics and then some on his division debut, thoroughly outclassing Edgar Berlanga in five rounds.
Since then, he has been a man in hot demand. Terence Crawford's retirement has scattered the belts, with Sheeraz in the mix for many.
His next fight is yet to be officially rubber-stamped, but with no shortage of silverware opportunities, he is exactly where he wants to be.
For Adames, it is a frustration. One division away, even with his own crown perched on his head, he is not in a place to challenge his foe.
Sheeraz could return to middleweight. But for now, his focus is squarely on matters above. Adames would need to follow in his footsteps.
For all the bark, the latter does not want to bite, as much as the urge rears its head. He can shout and push for a rematch all he wants.
Right now, he is top of the world. For Sheeraz, he could achieve his dream elsewhere - and has no need to go anywhere else just yet.
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