Sheeraz overwhelms Williams in one round

Hamzah Sheeraz now has 15 stoppages in 19 fights

Middleweight Hamzah Sheeraz defeated Liam Williams in one round in an unstoppable performance in London.

The Briton extended his unbeaten record to 19 fights, dropping Williams twice thanks to his blistering speed.

Sheeraz, 24, delivered on a promise to make a statement by stopping Williams, a former world title challenger.

“I had a lot of doubters going into this fight [who] thought I wasn’t able to keep up with this calibre of fighter,” Sheeraz said.

“I do my talking in the ring. When I get in here, I entertain.”

Williams had cut a confident figure all through fight week, suggesting Sheeraz’s team had made a serious mistake in accepting the bout, but that bravado was quickly wiped out.

Sheeraz’s stiff jab and power shots were too much for the Welshman, who went down just after the first minute and crashed to the floor again moments later from a brilliant counter uppercut.

Promoter Frank Warren celebrated with Sheeraz at ringside as one of his brightest young stars produced a career-best performance against his most dangerous opponent to date.

Warren suggested fellow Englishman Chris Eubank Jr as Sheeraz’s next opponent, heaping praise on his fighter.

“He reminds me of Tommy Hearns in a big way with that jab. He takes you out with it. The power he has with it is unbelievable,” Warren said.

“I genuinely believe a star is born and I genuinely believe he will win a world title and hold that title for as long as he likes.”

Yarde v Buatsi ‘icing on cake’ after Nikolic defeat

Anthony Yarde improved his record to 25 wins and just three defeats

On the undercard at the Copper Box Arena, Anthony Yarde moved closer to an encounter with long-time rival Joshua Buatsi with a quick win over Marko Nikolic.

Buatsi was watching at ringside as Yarde blew Nikolic away in three rounds thanks to some well-placed and powerful body shots.

Yarde, 32, improved his impressive knockout record to 24 stoppages in 25 wins.

Buatsi joined Yarde at ringside for his post-fight interview, immediately apologising for gatecrashing his moment, but both men confirmed talks were under way for a bout this summer.

“We both agreed we’re going to get it cracking,” Yarde said.

“(Artur) Beterbiev’s fighting (Dmitry) Bivol – if me and Joshua could fight for a [potentially vacant] world title, that’s the icing on the cake.”