Masoud Edges McGrail in Controversial Win UD

IBO super bantamweight champion Shabaz ‘Maverick’ Masoud (15-0 (4) won a close 12-round unanimous decision over southpaw WBA International champion Peter “Blood” McGrail (12-2 (6) for the EBU title) on Saturday night at the Salle des Etoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco.

In the first four rounds with some southpaws, McGrail dominated. In the fifth and sixth rounds Masoud came back, boxed well and took the rounds with his jab. In the seventh round it was close that McGrail had an edge. In the eighth and ninth rounds it was close, with Masoud having an edge, going to the body and hurting McGrail at times with left uppercuts.

In the tenth round, Masoud complained of a punch to the back of the head, with referee Giuseppe Quartarone taking a point from McGrail. In the eleventh round, McGrail had a lead with Masoud begging for another point, holding the back of the head.

In the twelfth and final round, McGrail hit the back of the head without a warning from the referee. Masoud spent the lap with a caution and run, giving McGrail the final lap.

The scores were 116-111, 115-112 and 114-113.

Conah “Wolf” Walker, 17-3-1 (8) came from behind to stop two-time Olympian, 2021 Silver Medalist Pat McCormack (8-1 (6)) at 2:16 of the 12th and final round for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental Welterweight title.

In the first three laps, Walker continued to come forward, countered by McCormack, who took both laps. In the fourth round Walker had his best round but it wasn’t enough to win as he was taken out by McCormack.

In the fifth lap from the start, Walker worked the body and head and took his first lap. In the sixth, McCormack came back well, Walker out. In the opening minute of the seventh round, a right from Walker opened a cut on the left eyebrow of McCormack. Includes rounds in this one and the eighth.

In the ninth round’s final seconds, a left from McCormack snapped back the head of Walker. In the tenth round’s final minute, McCormack, who complained to the referee, was hit with a left hook from Walker, who took the round.

In the eleventh round, both had their moments, with Walker suffering some bleeding outside his left eye. In the twelfth and final round, in the final minute, Walker landed over a dozen punches and drove McCormack through the ropes onto the ring apron. As hard as he tried, McCormack was unable to stand up as referee Jean-Robert Laine was counted out. McCormack was ahead on two of the scorecards at the end.

In the main support, IBF World Lightweight Champion and 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist Beatriz “The Beast” Ferreira (8-1 (2)) was stopped by WBC Int’l Champion “The Golden Turkish Warrior” Elif Nur Turhan (12-0 (8) at 1:08 of the fifth round of a scheduled round.

In the first round, what appeared to be a takedown by Turhan with a right uppercut did not count as one. Shortly after, Turhan dropped Ferreira with a right for an 8 count from referee Diana Drews-Milani. In the second and third rounds, Ferreira came back in close rounds through the fourth. In the fifth round’s final minute, Turhan landed a flurry of punches, dropping a defenseless Ferreira, causing the fight to be stopped.

“The Fresh Prince of Monaco” Hugo Micallef (11-1 (3) was stopped by southpaw IBF European super lightweight champion “The Public Nuisance” Sean McComb (21-2 (6)) at 2:35 of the eighth round of a scheduled 10 round.

In the first round, the southpaw McComb, half a minute into the round, landed a left to the chin of Micallef. Again, midway through the round and in the final minute, he repeatedly landed lefts on the chin. In the third round’s first minute, McComb countered with a left to the chin, dropping Micallef for an 8 count from referee Stephane Nicolo.

In the sixth round, McComb drew blood from the nose of Micallef, who had swelling outside his left eye, then McComb landed a left to the body, dropping Micallef a second time for an 8 count from referee Nicolo. In the seventh round, Micallef tried to fight back while backing up, but lost another round.

In the eighth, with half a minute left, McComb dropped Micallef for a third time with a left to the chin, took an 8 count, and after he got up, referee Nicolo waved it off.

Heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (14-1 (12)) came back to stop Ivan Balaz (7-1 (5) at 1:19 of the fourth round of a scheduled 10-rounder and score three knockdowns.

In the first round, Fisher had his way until the last minute when Balaz hurt Fisher and out to his feet, holding on the rest of the way. In the second round, after a minute, Fisher landed a low left, forcing referee Aurel Pena to give Balaz a break. Blaz took another round. In the third round, Fisher came back well enough to take his first round.

In the fourth round’s opening minute, Fisher dropped Balaz with a left to the side of the head for an 8 count from referee Pena. Seconds later, a right to the chin from Fisher dropped Balaz again. Seconds later, a left to the chin from Fisher dropped Balaz a third time as referee Pena called a halt.

The Ring Announcer was David Diamante.