Hamzah Sheeraz wants Chris Eubank Jr or Liam Smith if he beats Liam Williams on Saturday

 

Hamzah Sheeraz is targeting a fight with Chris Eubank Jr or Liam Smith if he can beat Liam Williams on Saturday.

The British middleweight faces the biggest test of his career at London's Copper Box Arena against the Welshman, who is a former world title challenger.

Williams, 31, took issue with Sheeraz looking ahead to potential fights, saying on Thursday: "What is he talking about?

"He hasn't beaten me yet and he's not going to."

Sheeraz, 24, is undefeated in 18 pro fights and refused to be drawn into any sort of back-and-forth with Williams at the top table in their pre-fight news conference.

The Slough native said he was not looking past Williams but wanted to prove he was ready for the likes of Smith, Eubank Jr, and reigning British champion Nathan Heaney by securing victory at the weekend.

Williams' four defeats have come against Eubank Jr, Smith (twice), and former WBO champion Demetrius Andrade.

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He will be an underdog against Sheeraz, but said he had no intention of being an easy night's work.

"Personally I think it's a bad mistake, bringing me in to get beat by this guy," Williams said.

"He's very good, he's talented. He's obviously big for the weight.

"But I don't think I'm the right guy for the job, I think you brought in the wrong guy."

On the undercard, light-heavyweight Anthony Yarde competes in his first fight in 2024 just a week after his long-time rival Joshua Buatsi beat Dan Azeez.

Yarde is keen to meet Buatsi this year, as well as potentially moving up to cruiserweight to fight WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith.

Buatsi is expected to be in attendance for Yarde's fight against Serb Marko Nikolic.

"It's a big fight, especially in British boxing," Yarde said of Buatsi.

"Hopefully it does happen. There's another name, Callum Smith. If I get a world title opportunity on Saturday I will take it.

"That's how I'm built. These guys can't handle me - that's honestly what I believe."