Following the WBO’s decision to name its mandatory challenger at 168lbs, Hamzah Sheeraz has alleged that “corruption” and “ulterior motives” could be at play.

The 27-year-old claimed his world super-middleweight title in May, scoring a second-round finish against overmatched challenger Alem Begic for the vacant belt.

Prior to that, Sheeraz had stopped Edgar Berlanga in five rounds after boxing to a highly contentious draw against Carlos Adames down at middleweight.

It could therefore be said that the Ilford man has not quite proven his world-class credentials, with his last outing resulting in a majority decision victory over the unspectacular Simon Zachenhuber in July.

But still, Sheeraz has never shied away from a challenge and was willing to face the unbeaten and talented Jacob Bank – who was the WBO’s next highest-ranked contender behind Canelo Alvarez – in his next assignment.

That was until the WBO ordered him to defend his title against Janibek Alimkhanuly, who has been named as the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger.

This is in spite of the fact that Alimkhanuly tested positive for meldonium, a banned substance, in November, only for the WBO to subsequently terminate his year-long suspension.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Sheeraz expressed his frustration with the organisation’s bewildering stance on the matter.

“I think it’s a joke. I think what the WBO have done here is disgraceful to the sport of boxing as well.

“What they’re essentially doing is rewarding someone who’s been popped [for a banned substance].

“I suppose it comes down to ulterior motives and corruption… I feel like it’s all based on personal relationships.”

Before failing a doping test, Alimkhanuly was the reigning unified middleweight champion until the IBF acted accordingly and stripped him of his belt.