An intriguing clash of undefeated super bantamweights is back on the schedule after Queensberry Promotions announced a November 2nd Birmingham show headlined by Liam Davies vs Shabaz Masoud. The pair were initially set to meet in July before Davies (16-0, 8 KO) withdrew due to illness, leaving Masoud (13-0, 4 KO) to pitch an eight-round shutout over journeyman Marvin Solano.
The IBO title will be ON THE LINE.
Davies enters with the stronger body of work between the 28-year-olds, boasting wins over domestic threats like Ionut Baluta and Jason Cunningham alongside a two-round thrashing of upset merchant Erik Robles Ayala. Masoud’s best victories came over the aging Yoan Boyeaux and Colombian vet Jose Sanmartin, the latter a competitive split decision.
Davies is no. 5 in both the IBF and WBC rankings, with the former being of particular interest. Sam Goodman sits at the top ahead of his planned date with Naoya Inoue, followed by an empty slot, the recently deposed Marlon Tapales, and Murodjon Akhmadaliev. If Inoue moves up to 126 after facing Goodman and (potentially) Junto Nakatani, a win here would put Davies in prime position to fight for the vacant belt.