British boxer Hamzah Sheeraz has revealed how a chance moment while working as an electrician in Eden Hazard's London flat rekindled his passion for boxing, setting him on the path to becoming WBO super-middleweight world champion. Sheeraz, now 27 and undefeated, had stepped away from the sport after missing out on the Commonwealth Youth championships, but standing in the former Chelsea winger's flashy apartment sparked his ambition, and he returned to the gym within two weeks before signing with promoter Frank Warren on his 18th birthday. His story matters as he prepares for the first defence of his newly won world title.

Sheeraz captured the WBO title with a second-round stoppage of Alem Begic in May and now takes on Simon Zachenhuber on Saturday, on Anthony Joshua's undercard in Saudi Arabia. With a professional record of 23 wins, no losses and one draw, he says his ambitions stretch further, naming Mexican star Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, a four-weight world champion, as his dream opponent and idol.