Three-and-a-half months after his explosive stoppage win over Edgar Berlanga in New York, there's no clarity over Hamzah Sheeraz's next move.

He and his promoter Frank Warren were actively waiting for the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford result and aftereffects to shake out, though the latter is likely to pursue a middleweight move after his impressive points win on September 13 saw him claim the Ring and undisputed super middleweight titles.

Long-reigning former Canelo underwent shoulder surgery last month, but isn't expected back until mid-2026 after losing for the first time in 12 appearances at 168 pounds.

A potential domestic duel with European champion Callum Simpson was ordered, then later pushed to one side as the BOXXER-backed Barnsley talent will now instead headline a show against dangerous veteran Troy Williamson in December.

Sheeraz had expected to return before the year's end, though like another of Queensberry's more marketable stars pushing for world honours in Moses Itauma, his calendar year ends prematurely.

The former WBC middleweight title challenger believes it's only a matter of time before he gets confirmation on his next fight date and told The Ring he's keeping himself busy in the meantime.

"I'm just staying active in the gym, disciplined with my strength-and-conditioning work, staying healthy, feeling strong," he said. "It's important to let the team do their job and not let outside noise stress me."

"I know what's to come, just have to keep producing good performances. February is the likely month and there are loads of options to pursue, could return to the UK, U.S. or Saudi Arabia. Once they send me a contract and terms are agreed, I'll get cracking."

Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) has featured on Riyadh Season shows or cards supported by HE Turki Alalshikh in his last four appearances and calls that slot a priority, but remains open to world-level matchups with Jaime Munguia and Christian Mbilli.

The 26-year-old's manager, Spencer Brown, told The Ring they have been promised a February return by Alalshikh against a big name in the absence of an injured Canelo.

The man himself spoke of an expectation to be fighting Diego Pacheco (24-0, 18 KOs) next, before it was announced the Matchroom-backed contender would headline a December 13 show in Stockton, California against France's Kevin Lele Sadjo.

Nothing has been clarified regarding Jaime Munguia's immediate future yet, two months after the longtime contender was cleared of any wrongdoing after failing a PED test following his 12-round points win in a Bruno Surace rematch on May 4.

WBC interim beltholder Christian Mbilli is said to be assessing his options after an entertaining 10-round split draw with Nicaragua's unbeaten Lester Martinez as part of the Canelo-Crawford undercard.

"Mbilli is a great fighter and interim champion, a knockout specialist at that - we would have all the ingredients to make for a fan-friendly fight," Sheeraz said when asked about that potential bout being made.

"I'd look forward to Munguia too, they're all that same calibre of fighter, strong and experienced. At this stage, it's up to me staying in my flow state, enjoying the experience and giving fans what they want to see."

Sheeraz's head coach, Andy Lee, has endured a down spell of results after high-profile defeats for Paddy Donovan and Joseph Parker in recent weeks.

Ben Whittaker makes his second appearance under the Irishman later this month and Sheeraz reiterated a reason why they all back the former WBO middleweight champion in their corner.

"He believes in me more than I do myself - cliche but it's true - so when you have someone like that in your corner, it gives you crazy amounts of self-belief and discipline" he added. "I'm learning a lot under him, happy and just waiting for a date."