Masoud vs McGrail Predictions: European title treat is worth the wait

Shabaz Masoud headlines against Peter McGrail at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo this Saturday, December 6. The vacant European super bantamweight title will be on the line in Monaco with DAZN broadcasting the event live. Masoud and McGrail were scheduled to meet in June in Birmingham, before injury delayed this intriguing match-up.

Read on for my Masoud vs McGrail predictions.

Masoud vs McGrail Odds

Masoud is priced at 1/2 while McGrail is the underdog at 7/4. If you fancy a draw in this well-matched bout, you can back the stalemate at 12/1.

Masoud vs McGrail Fight Preview

This sparkled as a piece of matchmaking when the original summer date in Birmingham was set. Injury delayed the fight but thankfully did not cancel it. This European title tussle is too good to leave unfought.

The training injury that kiboshed the Birmingham battle has led to Masoud spending a year out of the squared circle. That has meant he has been unable to build on the momentum of his IBO title victory in a gruelling split decision over Liam Davies. 

That win was a real statement from Masoud. The underdog going in, ‘Maverick’ was charged with overcoming a man ranked in both the WBC and IBF top-five at the time. Masoud eked out the narrowest of wins in this world-class company. It is a shame that injury and inactivity has seen his own sanctioning body ranking suffer. The Ring are less easily swayed and still have Masoud as their number-five in the division.

Tokyo 2020 Olympian McGrail availed himself of the chance to build on his own world placings. The Scouse southpaw took on the notoriously tough Ionut Baluta in June after Masoud’s withdrawal. The Romanian never lets an opponent get through unscathed. Baluta has set hellish challenges for the likes of Michael Conlan and Dennis McCann while scoring upset wins over Brad Foster and ex-world champion TJ Doheny. 

McGrail was cut and pushed all the way in a typically tricky Baluta battle. But ‘Blood’ is his nickname for a reason, and a little plasma was not enough to derail him. McGrail claimed a majority decision and kept this continental clash alive.

Whether McGrail’s 10 rounds of ring time this year will make a difference probably depends on who you ask. McGrail would probably say having half an hour of tough, competitive boxing under his belt in 2025 makes him sharper. Masoud would likely retort that taking Baluta’s best shots is a hindrance ahead of an important championship fight.

But the debate will be settled in our favourite way; inside that ring. The unbeaten ‘Maverick’ risks his record against a fighter who took the ‘0’ from Fran Mendoza and Rhys Edwards. A mighty gamble for both in Monte Carlo.

Masoud vs McGrail Full Card

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Masoud vs McGrail Prediction

Both men are southpaws who are wicked counter-punchers. Masoud relies on that weapon more than McGrail, who is a little more eager to engage. But this could be a cagey battle of who blinks first.

I reckon McGrail’s sharpness and speed on the front foot will decide the contest. Masoud is very good in the pocket, as we saw when he evaded the close-quarters offence of Davies last year. But McGrail’s attacks are angular and less easy to time. Rhythm is going to be important in this fight, and McGrail can disrupt Masoud in that metric.

I’ll opt for McGrail on points at 11/4. I think it will be close, awkward and maybe a little tough to score. But I reckon ‘Blood’ takes it.

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