Liam Davies vs Shabaz Masoud Predictions: Battle of the unbeatens is one to savour

World-ranked super bantamweights square off this Saturday, November 2 as Liam Davies faces Shabaz Masoud. This high-quality British battle takes place at the BP Pulse Arena in Birmingham with the minor IBO world title on the line. TNT Sports will broadcast the event live.

Here are my Davies vs Masoud predictions ahead of this high-stakes fight.

In the context of the super bantamweight division, this is a huge fight. Two unbeaten, world-ranked contenders going at it over 12 rounds in an arena headliner. Davies is ranked in the WBC and IBF top-fives, while holding 14th position for the WBA. Masoud is seventh with the latter organisation. The result of this one could really shake things up at the top of the division.

Sitting atop the super bantamweight class is the best fighter in the sport today: Naoya Inoue. The Japanese superstar holds the undisputed championship and is out again on Christmas Eve against Australia’s Sam Goodman. Should ‘Kaibutsu’ successfully defend his title in that festive fight, the winner of Saturday’s battle could well be next in line.

But talk of the future should be shelved until Saturday is done. This is a really tough assignment and a high-watermark in the careers of both men. The step-up is bigger for Masoud, who has three less fights but has also fought at a lower overall level. Davies comes into his 17th bout on a fearsome run of form.

A June 2022 win over Marc Leach secured the British championship for Davies. From there, he hasn’t looked back. After a run of victories comprising of Ionut Baluta, Jason Cunningham, Vincenzo La Femina and Erik Robles Ayala he has added the European and IBO world titles to his mantles. The latter three victories came by knockout, with a scorching first-round stoppage of Cunningham standing out. 

Having accomplished everything there is to do at domestic, continental and fringe world level, Davies is coming for the big prizes. Inoue might be the most feared fighter in boxing, but the Telford man has been vocal about his desire to test himself against ‘The Monster’.

Masoud will be looking to administer a test of his own. ‘Maverick’ has been in with some good names lately. Jose Sanmartin had faced world champions Emanuel Navarrete and Mauricio Lara before succumbing to Masoud. Jack Bateson was 17-0 before ‘Maverick’ did a number on him. Masoud is steadily moving up and doing well.

Even considering his recent form, this is a mammoth challenge for Masoud. Davies is so sure of himself, so accomplished and so full of momentum. Ending his unbeaten run will take a mammoth effort. Masoud has that in him, but it will take a career-best performance to show it.

This is what boxing should offer up more often. Two unbeaten fighters risking their records in pursuit of reaching the next level. Both of these men could have eased into contention in more low-key fights over a longer period. But instead we have an all-or-nothing showdown to relish.

Liam Davies vs Shabaz Masoud Fight Odds

Masoud is a 5/2 underdog in this fight. Davies is your favourite and he can be backed at 1/3. A draw is priced at 20/1.

Liam Davies vs Shabaz Masoud Full Card

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Liam Davies vs Shabaz Masoud Prediction

This is a close one, perhaps a shade closer than the odds have it in my view. But I do have to bow to the favourite in this one. Davies is more experienced and is used to facing a tougher brand of opposition than Masoud has competed with.

I do see it lasted the distance and I believe Davies will come out on top. I’m picking Davies on points at 9/4.

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