Sheeraz ordered to fight Pacheco for WBO title

Following Terence Crawford’s retirement, Diego Pacheco and Hamzah Sheeraz have been given the task of capturing the vacant WBO super middleweight title.

American Crawford left the sport last week, adding that he has “nothing to prove” after defeating Saul ‘Canelo ‘Alvaraz in September to become the first man to hold uncontested titles in three weight divisions.

Crawford retired after winning all 42 of his professional fights, with the WBO directing Sheeraz to take on American Pacheco for the title.

After being previously ordered by the WBC to fight Christian Mbilli for the vacant super-middleweight title, the 26-year-old Sheeraz now has a second option.

Crawford was expelled before his retirement because he evaded paying his sanctioning fees.

Queensberry and Pacheco’s Matchroom, Sheeraz’s promoters, have 20 days to come to terms with a fight’s schedule, but if they can’t agree, they must still raise money, in accordance with WBO regulations.

Before defeating Edgar Berlanga in July, Sheeraz drew last February’s draw with WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames in a doozy of 12 rounds.