Begic will face Hamzah Sheeraz for the vacant WBO super middleweight belt Saturday night at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt as part of the show headlined by Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven. The matchup will serve as the co-main event on DAZN Pay-Per-View ($59.99 in the U.S.; £24.99 in the UK) and for subscribers to DAZN’s Ultimate plan ($49.99 in the U.S.; £24.99 in the UK).

Begic (29-0-1, 23 KOs), a 39-year-old contender from Munich, Germany, has fought obscure opposition throughout his 12-year career, which has mostly unfolded away from the bright lights in Germany and Austria. But by virtue of being ranked No. 4 by the WBO, Begic, who will fight in just his second 12-rounder, will get his first crack at a crown in what undoubtedly appears to be a tall task in the surging Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs).

“I’m ready and happy to be here on this stage,” Begic said during a press conference Thursday. “Hamzah is a world-class talent and boxer. He’s the future of boxing. Believe it or not, love him or hate him, he will definitely be a world champion one day.

“But from my side, Saturday will be my moment to shine because I have worked so hard over the years to get the opportunity to be here. I’m excited to share the ring with Hamzah. I never could imagine performing on this stage, in this beautiful place on this card, supporting alongside top, elite fighters, and sitting next to Eddie Hearn, the king of banter.”

The banter regarding the bout is that Begic, a +1000 underdog, should be steamrolled by Sheeraz, a 20-1 betting favorite.

Begic is in position for the pitting because Diego Pacheco passed on a WBO-ordered fight against Sheeraz in January, shortly after former undisputed super middleweight champion Terence Crawford retired following his win against Canelo Alvarez.

By February, the WBO approved Sheeraz-Begic, despite Jacob Bank’s emphatic stoppage win against William Scull for a secondary WBO title. Bank is ranked No. 3 by the WBO, Sheeraz is second and Alvarez is first.

Begic is not rated in The Ring’s top 10 at 168 pounds and is looking to best a third straight unbeaten opponent. But Sheeraz is nowhere near the same stratosphere as David Kerkmann and Mahdi Safdari, who Begic beat by second-round technical knockout last time out in April 2025.

The 26-year-old, 6-foot-3 Sheeraz will enjoy a 13-year advantage in youth and four inches in height. Sheeraz, ranked No. 10 by The Ring at super middleweight, is also coming in with a world of confidence after blasting Edgar Berlanga during his division debut in July.

“Everything I do [he won’t be able to handle],” Sheeraz said. “Listen, when it comes to fight week, and you see your opponent, everyone is confident when they see me because I’m not really an intimidating-looking fella. I am skin and bones, but as soon as you get in the ring, it’s a different story. He’ll find out Saturday night, for sure.

“This is what dreams are made of, to capture my first world title – it’s timing. The stars are aligning. It’s a meant-to-be-moment. Let’s make history.”

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.