Hamzah Sheeraz’s next step at 168 carries risks

Publicly, Sheeraz, 26, has not committed to either option. Privately, the industry believes the WBO path is gaining ground. Riyadh Season is believed to be interested in a fight against Sheeraz in the spring, and Pacheco is considered a more suitable trade candidate in that context.

The risk of boxing is not equal, however.

Mbilli represents the toughest physical test. He is a pressure fighter with high output and a willingness to work inside. That style remains an open question for Sheeraz after his February draw against Carlos Adames, a fight many observers felt slipped away from him under sustained pressure.

Pacheco, while less relentless, presents a different complication. At 6-foot-4, he removes one of Sheeraz’s long-standing advantages. Sheeraz has been able to dictate reach against most opponents at 160 and even 168. That comfort disappears against someone who can match him in height and reach.

What makes this moment remarkable is not just the choice of opponent, but what that choice signals. One path leans towards risk management. The other leans toward validation. Delaying the decision only accentuates this contrast, and ultimately, Sheeraz will have to show whose side he is on.

Timing will also play a role. Sanctioning bodies will not allow the two ordinances to sit indefinitely, and pressure from proponents is expected to increase quickly.