23:48:57
No love for the IBO?
The night is over, and we’ve had some decent fights in Birmingham as the panel discusses the merits of the IBO title. Essuman vs. Vaughan was the pick of the bunch. The main event was evenly fought with a worthy winner, albeit by split decision. Chantelle Cameron got a solid win. Ezra Taylor was done and dusted within 30 seconds. Catch you in the next one.
23:41:36
All friends in the end
Liam Davies and Shabaz Masoud have plenty of respect for each other in the ring after the fight. The teams exchange nice words, and the fans mostly go home happy.
Masoud is the new IBO champion and has some big nights to look forward to under promoter Matchroom. Frank Warren was a little irascible afterwards but said he would bring back Liam, 28, for more.
23:31:04
Masoud wins it
The fight has ended and all that’s left is the formality of a decision. Surely Shabaz Masoud has won this. Three judges will decide officially…
It’s a split decision, somehow.
115-113 to Davies on Marco Morales’ scorecard. Not sure what he was watching. Jean Marie Natus has it 115-113 the other way. Terry O’Connor settles it at 116-112.
23:18:13
Davies lands a big shot
And finally…Davies does land a power shot that leaves Masoud slightly unsteady in round nine. I know I’m like a broken record, but the lead right-hand and step-to-the-side moves are not working at all for Davies. He’s constantly falling in and left off balance. Masoud is back to boxing his ears off for the remainder of the round.
23:15:02
Masoud masterclass
“Davies has the power to turn this fight,” says Darren Fletcher, which is probably true, but not if he can’t get close enough to land the right punches! Davies is doing a better job of jabbing and bouncing back. He’s still falling in too often.
Masoud has got the distance down nicely. The Stoke man can turn him and grab his way out of trouble as well. Great tactics and execution for Shabaz. It’s not even close right now.
23:11:52
Raising the red flag
It’s all getting a bit naughty in the seventh as Marcus McDonnell draws them both to centre ring following an illicit altercation. Davies’ head is always there for Masoud’s fast left backhand.
Even if Davies does manage to turn this around, there are so many red flags for the future that are being waved across the Resorts World Arena. Davies is just trying a brute strength approach in round eight.
23:05:13
Masoud well on top
Davies better hope that Masoud tires down the stretch because if Shabaz is in shape, it’s his fight to lose at this stage. Some lovely boxing from the Stoke-On-Trent man, doing exactly what he needs to do. Fast forward to the final minute of the sixth and Masoud is showing the first signs of fatigue. Masoud catches him square-on again at the end of the session as Davies leans in face-first.
22:57:27
Davies cut, Masoud cutting a cool figure
You’d imagine Davies needs more feints and left jabs to try and instigate attacks rather than leading with the right hand. More often than not, Davies leans across with that overhand right. Davies is panicking, and his corner is starting to get a little anxious.
Davies stabbing a bit more at the body, rushing his work, playing catch up. Interesting temperament check for Davies here, as Masoud looks calm and composed. Liam Davies is cut around the right eye. Masoud’s left hands have targetted that area all night. Paul Mann jumps in to work on the slice between rounds.
22:52:33
Masoud can’t miss with the left hand
Liam Davies is struggling to make inroads here. Throwing from too far out, unable to find his timing, Errol Johnson asks for shots from angles rather than straight-forward attacks. Masoud slips to the canvas in the third – no knockdown.
Davies is missing wildly, which won’t impress the judges you wouldn’t have thought. Ben Davison rightly relaxed in Masoud’s corner. Marcus McDonnell has switched his attention to Masoud for lectures.
22:48:05
Davies trying to find his range
It’s all a bit emotional from Davies, who rushes repeatedly to try and make an impression. Marcus McDonnell is on Davies’ case for illegal elbow work. Davies’ jab has been missing so far. Errol Johnson and the corner team will need to calm him down between rounds. Better second round, though, for the fight favourite. Masoud’s accuracy is better.
22:44:35
Fast start, Masoud having good moments
In round one, Davies is a little over-eager, seeking to make a statement, squaring up. Masoud’s hand speed is working well from the southpaw stance. Davies wants to create an intense pace. Masoud is landing some sharp lefts and a right hook for good measure. Davies’ head a little too available. The right eye showing a bit of a blemish.
22:38:32
Davies vs. Masoud main event
Here we go! Shabaz Masoud is in the ring as the arena awaits Liam Davies’ big entrance. The Telford man enjoyed that ringwalk along with the crowd. Thomas Treiber is making the announcements for this IBO super-bantamweight clash. It should be a feisty one. Marcus McDonnell is the third man in the ring.
22:21:48
Chantelle Cameron sweeps home
It’s all over and the results are in:
Lee Every 99-91
Ali Oubaali 100-90
Brahim Ait Aadi 98-92
A professional performance from Cameron, who took care of business, showing a few different moves under new trainer Grant Smith. Cameron retained her WBC Interim super-lightweight title. Kevin Parker refereed.
22:08:11
Calm and composed Cameron
Four rounds to go here as Chantelle Cameron continues to pull away and box sensibly. Berghult has been cagey, as expected. Richie Woodhall calling for a double jab to close the gap and avoid rushed work.
21:52:15
Chantelle Cameron looking to take care of business
Chantelle Cameron is in the ring with Patricia Berghult. It should be a zippy affair over 10 x 2-minute rounds. Adding in the requisite caveats about beating what’s in front of her (etc), Berghult isn’t expected to win, let’s be honest. She’s a solid operator at this level, no doubt, only Cameron has shared wins with Katie Taylor and has her eyes on the trilogy. Only a lack of focus or a mishap can derail that pathway tonight.
21:33:14
Ekow Essuman wins on points
The scores are in and we have a winner: Marcus McDonnell scored it a draw at 95-95, overruled by Lee Every, 97-94, and Terry O’Connor totalled 97-93. Essuman called for Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and an end to ruining Frank Warren’s young prospects’ careers. That was a hard fight for both men, but particularly for Ben Vaughan who needs to go off and get a rest.
21:29:00
Vaughan empties the tank – who won?
Outstanding final round as Vaughan throws the kitchen sink at Essuman, who hoovers it all up and tries to land in return. Vaughan’s volume and output could have got him the round. Vaughan said beforehand that it would be better than Essuman’s knockout win over Owen Cooper. While it might not have possessed the drama of that outing, it has been a gruelling affair. Who’s got it?
21:23:22
Vaughan under all kinds of inspection
They’re having another look at Vaughan’s right eye, which looks pretty closed up. Not going to help him avoid right hands. Vaughan comes out firing in round nine. Showing tremendous bravery. Essuman has tested his bottle tonight.
21:16:38
Essuman’s experience could be key down the stretch
Vaughan is showing teak tough resilience lauds the lead commentator on TNT Sports. He’s right, but Vaughan is struggling now as Essuman starts to land accurate punches. Essuman has soaked up the early attacks and now asserting his authority over the bout. Vaughan refusing to concede any ground. If he’s going down, he’s going down fighting. Referee Howard Foster stops to have a look at it him as the eighth kicks off.
21:09:27
Essuman digging in
Vaughan gets caught in round five with a good shot that stiffens the legs momentarily. Essuman follows it up with some uppercuts. Vaughan burrows inside for comfort. The way his head is bumping off Essuman’s shoulders won’t do his facial damage much good. Replays show a glancing right hand from Ekow made the difference.
21:03:44
Ben Vaughan putting a lot into it
Vaughan is planting the feet and launching some hard shots, especially with the left uppercut and body shots. Essuman has excellent stamina so Vaughan’s conditioning could be key here as he’ll have to match Essuman for 10 rounds or less. Vaughan enjoying a really good fourth round.
20:55:11
Ekow landing shots
A positive start by both men, as Vaughan’s front-leaning southpaw style suits Essuman’s whipping right hand. Vaughan gets his measure a little better at the end of the first and follows that up in the second, to his detriment, as Ekow smashes up Vaughan’s face. It appears to be a cut to the right eye for Ben Vaughan.
20:45:35
There’s an Ekow in the arena
Ekow Essuman has some work to do this evening to surpass his efforts in a thrilling July contest with Owen Cooper. His opponent is Ben Vaughan, who has yet to taste defeat but has not mixed in this kind of class. Ekow has always done things the hard way and may fall short of the next step he craves.
20:31:54
Ezra Taylor scores a first-round KO
I can’t type quickly enough as Ezra Taylor gets things done and dusted in a single round, blasting away Kristaps Bulmeistars just 24 seconds into round one. Lee Every waves it off after a right hand from Taylor sends Bulmeistars home packing. Taylor later mentioned recently-crowned British champion Lewis Edmondson as a future foe.
20:18:46
Nothing Jammy about James
Despite plenty of effort, Osbourne-Edwards couldn’t close the gap enough to land that big equaliser in the final round. The judges rightly award Eithan ‘Jammy’ James victory by scores of 97-93 (Lee Every), 99-92 (Terry O’Connor) and 99-91 (Howard Foster). Kevin Parker refereed the contest.
20:08:26
Make or break for Jermaine
Plenty of durability for Jermaine, as Richie Woodhall suggests at the tail end of the eighth, but that cut is getting uglier by the second. “Give it all you’ve got, son. We’ve got two rounds,” says Richie Carter in the Osbourne-Edwards corner. The only thing the Wolverhampton man can do now is bite down on the gumshield and let the shots fly. Osbourne-Edwards, however, isn’t a noted puncher.
19:54:45
Jab is the key for James
Osbourne-Edwards has a nick on the left eye, which needs to be dealt with. According to the TNT commentators, the officials have ruled it a punch that caused the cut, which spells danger for Jermaine, who is struggling to get past James’ jab.
19:44:30
Eithan boxing clever
Neither man is a puncher, so they’re trying to force their respective styles into the fight. Osbourne-Edwards is smaller and has been throwing some southpaw swings out of range. Eithan James is using his height and reach effectively, and James is using his jab nicely in this English title eliminator. Here’s a visual reminder of that entrance.
19:33:11
Eithan James fight up next
What an entrance for Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards, who is drummed into the ring by his father, Michael, in a family affair. Eithan James just walks out to some music. He needs to up his walk-out game, clearly.
19:21:34
Lewis Williams wins
It’s all over in round two; just moments after Griggs hits the deck, Williams catches him with a temple shot, and he’s wobbling all over the place, prompting to jump in at 1-45 and call it off.
19:18:47
Williams whipping in the shots
Williams’ hands are fast for a big guy and he is pretty big compared to Griggs, an honest plodder from Nottingham who is struggling a little bit to get in range. Griggs goes down in the second round and he’s in bother.
19:10:59
Heavyweight debutant
Lewis Williams is in the ring now, making his anticipated pro debut. Lamah Griggs is the opponent. High hopes for Williams as the bell sounds for round one. He’s a 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
18:47:38
Too Slick Thompson wins
Bradley Thompson wins 40-36. Sean Jackson is a tough nut to crack and Thompson plugged away for four good rounds. “He’s quite awkward, man. Moving a lot, but that’s what he’s there to do,” says Thompson, who is shaking the ring rust off ahead of a big 2025.
18:31:31
Bradley getting a run out
Bradley Thompson and Sean Jackson are in the ring now over four rounds. Let’s see what they can cook up. Sean has yet to win in over 20 attempts, so Telford’s Thompson is a big favourite.
18:16:55
Scholer-ly performance from student of the game
Scholer is down again in round two and just about beats the count. It’s irrelevant, as a minute or so later, his corner throw in the towel to end the massacre at 1:56 of round two. Lavin says afterwards he’s a level above these guys. The Waldron pathway is clearing.
18:11:23
Early knockdown
Scholer is down in round one. Both men are letting the shots fly. Lavin’s long levers are the difference. Scholer looks shaky.
18:05:02
No Lavin matter
Eoghan Lavin is in the ring now against France’s Remi Scholer. Lavin is an Irish prospect from Ballyhaunis, the same location as John ‘The Warrior’ Waldron. I was ringside in 2010 when Waldron beat Jamie Power in Limerick to become the Irish champion. Great times. Let’s see if Lavin can follow in those footsteps.
18:01:02
Mykyle Ahmed wins
Caicedo was holding on for dear life at the end there, but he makes it to the final bell; glad it’s not a six-rounder I would imagine. Mykyle Ahmed improves to 2-0 with a formality 40-35 verdict. Boxed very well.
17:54:32
Handy Ahmed
Good start from Ahmed, letting some smooth shots go, especially to Caicedo’s body. The visitor is having a go, but Ahmed’s extra quality is the difference. A lovely shot selection from the novice. Letting them go from both stances.
17:41:26
Kicking off the evening
Hello and welcome to the blog. Steve here, taking you through the comings and goings across the evening’s action. The main card gets going at 7pm but we’ll just keep our eye on the prelims first of all as Mykyle Ahmed starts things off against Yin Caicedo.
Liam Davies vs. Shabaz Masoud: Live Updates & Results
Liam Davies faces Shabaz Masoud in the main event this evening at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham.
Where can you watch Liam Davies vs. Shabaz Masoud
The broadcast starts on TNT Sports at 7pm (UK time).
The main event ring-walk is scheduled for 10pm (UK time), 6pm (ET) and 3pm (PT).
What fights are on the Liam Davies vs. Shabaz Masoud undercard?
10 x 2 minute rounds – WBC Interim Super Lightweight title
Chantelle Cameron v Patricia Berghult
10 x 3 minute rounds – Welterweight
Ekow Essuman v Ben Vaughan
10 x 3 minute rounds – Light Heavyweight
Ezra Taylor v Kristaps Bulmeistars
10 x 3 minute rounds – Welterweight
Eithan James v Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards
4 x 3 minute rounds – Middleweight
Eoghan Lavin v Remi Scholer
4 x 3 minute rounds – Heavyweight
Lewis Williams v Lamah Griggs
4 x 3 minute rounds – Super Flyweight
Bradley Thompson v Sean Jackson
4 x 3 minute rounds – Super Flyweight
Mykyle Ahmed v Yin Caicedo