Telford's Liam Davis lost a points split decision as he put his IBO world super-bantamweight on the line at the Queensberry promotions show at the Resorts World Arena Birmingham (02.11.24). The twenty-eight-year-old was taking on another unbeaten fighter in Shabaz Masould (28) in the twelve-round super-bantamweight contest. Davis came into the fight unbeaten in sixteen contests with Masould being unbeaten in thirteen, Davis came into the contest eight stone nine with Masould coming in eight stone ten with Marcus McDonnell reffing.
Fast start by both fighters with Masould landing some nice backhands and was looking sharp. Davis started the second better landing some nice jabs and backhands, Masould moved well with Davis getting warned for using his elbow. Masould finished the round strong but it was Davis’s round. Davis walked into multiple backhands from Masould in the third as he took the fight to Masould, Davis landed some good shots of his own but Masould looked confident winning the round. Masould couldn’t miss with the backhand as Davis poured on the pressure, Davis took some of them on the gloves but did sustain a cut above his right eye, Masould round.
Davis continued to rush in, in the fifth round and was still getting caught with backhands, Davis was forcing the pace and landed some good shots of his own but Masould movement and eye-catching shots won him the round. Much better round for Davis who landed some nice combinations as Masould seemed to slow, Masould still landed some nice backhands but Davis won the round. Masould boxed well in the seventh on the back foot still landing nice backhands, Davis poured on the pressure but gad to give this to Masould. Great counter punching from Masould as Davis looked to pile on the pressure, clever boxing by Masould as he counter punched well and tied Davis up when needed.
Masould continued to counterpunch well but Davis started to get through with some good shots close round but Davis got it. Great battling in the tenth round with both fighters landing bug shots and combinations, very close round with Masould nicking the round with the eye-catching shots. Davis continued to pour on the pressure landing some good shots Masould looked confident fighting on the back foot and was landing eye-catching shots, Davis finished the round strong but Masould won this one. Davis pressed and pressured as he knew he needed a stoppage, Davis landed some big shots but Masould covered up well and had great movement with Davis pressuring winning the final round.
Judge had it 115 to 113 Davis, judge Jean Marie Natus had it 115 to 113 to Masould with Terry O’Connor having it 116 to 112 Masould
Masould wins a split decision
Dexter’s Thoughts
Absolutely gutted for Liam Davis, the Telford fighter was more than confident that he would get the job done and beat Masould, but I think his overriding confidence might have been his downfall. Davis seemed to be fighting on emotion and I think he thought he would be able to stop Masould with ease. Masould boxed cleverly and showed some fast hands and could not miss with his southpaw backhand. Davis fought hard but sometimes that is not enough, Davis is only twenty-eight and can learn from this defeat and I can see Davis challenging for world honors again very soon. I am sure there may be the possibility of a rematch as it was a split decision, I think Davis would stand a good chance if that was the case. I wish Liam all the best In whatever path he takes.
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