# WBO super middleweight title vacancy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wbo-super-middleweight-title-vacancy
> Updated: 2026-09-25T01:09:34.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3.

Hamzah Sheeraz voluntarily relinquished his WBO super middleweight world title following a purse bid won by Queensberry Promotions for a mandatory defense against Janibek Alimkhanuly. Sheeraz previously cited concerns regarding Alimkhanuly’s history with a banned substance, specifically a positive test for meldonium in November.

Queensberry Promotions boss Frank Warren expressed deep disappointment regarding the decision, stating there was “no reason; there’s no rationale to that” and suggesting Sheeraz had been poorly advised. Warren noted that his team had worked extensively to position Sheeraz to win the title, and that the surrender of the belt leaves Sheeraz without a major bargaining chip for future high-profile fights. Under the purse split resulting from the $1,001,809 bid, Sheeraz was set to receive approximately $750,000 for the bout.

Following the vacancy, the WBO ordered Janibek Alimkhanuly to fight Jacob Bank for the vacant title. President Gustavo Olivieri identified Bank as the first available contender. The two parties have 15 days to reach a contractual agreement, failing which a purse bid will be initiated. While Diego Pacheco holds the number two ranking in the division, he is currently scheduled to face Darius Fulghum on November 14, and the WBO has not specified why Bank was selected for the immediate title opportunity over Pacheco.

## Claims

- Jacob Bank has been ordered to fight Zhanibek Alimkhanuly for the vacant WBO super middleweight title. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The parties involved in the Bank vs. Alimkhanuly negotiations have 15 days to reach an agreement before a purse bid is ordered. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Diego Pacheco is ranked number two in the WBO super middleweight rankings. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Diego Pacheco is scheduled to fight Darius Fulghum on November 14. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Hamzah Sheeraz has voluntarily relinquished his WBO super middleweight world championship. (single source)
- The WBO World Championship Committee is scheduled to rule on the status of the super middleweight division on September 21. (single source)
- Queensberry Promotions won the purse bid for the Sheeraz vs. Alimkhanuly fight with a bid of $1,001,809. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-25: Frank Warren criticizes Hamzah Sheeraz for vacating WBO title

Frank Warren has criticized Hamzah Sheeraz for vacating his WBO super middleweight title instead of defending it against mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/frank-warren-criticizes-hamzah-sheeraz-for-vacating-wbo-title

### 2026-09-21: WBO orders Jacob Bank to fight Zhanibek Alimkhanuly for vacant title

The WBO has ordered Jacob Bank to fight Zhanibek Alimkhanuly for the vacant super middleweight title following Hamzah Sheeraz's decision to relinquish his championship.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wbo-orders-jacob-bank-to-fight-zhanibek-alimkhanuly-for-vacant-title

### 2026-09-18: Hamzah Sheeraz vacates WBO super middleweight title

Hamzah Sheeraz has vacated his WBO super middleweight world title after declining a mandatory defense against Janibek Alimkhanuly.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamzah-sheeraz-vacates-wbo-super-middleweight-title

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Cite as: WBO super middleweight title vacancy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wbo-super-middleweight-title-vacancy