Boxing
‘Dog’ Liam Davies disrespecting Shabaz Masoud
Published
2 hours agoon
Liam Davies has long wanted a boost.
The 28-year-old has torn through the super bantamweight division over the past few years, winning British and European titles and scoring a string of electrifying knockouts that have improved his rankings in the IBF, WBC and WBA.
Outside the ring, Davies (16-0 (8 KO)) gained confidence and became one of the best communicators in British boxing. He was used to playing a leading role in the packed events of the Magnificent Seven at Queensberry.
It’s time for Davies to get the chance to prove he can host events on his own and become a headliner.
On November 2, at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, he will face the undefeated Shabaz Masoud 13:0 (4 KO).
Davies and Masoud were the only people on stage during Tuesday’s news conference opening the event. They stood in front of a giant stage promoting the fight and this opportunity seemed like a definite step up for the Donington man.
Davies knows his worth and appreciates the fact that he has been given the opportunity he has long wanted, but he always thinks about having to fight his way from the bottom in the sport. Instead of becoming complacent, he adopted an underdog mentality before fighting his elderly amateur rival.
“Most people don’t know, but it goes deeper than just fighting,” he said. “I don’t give a damn about the belt. The belt doesn’t matter. This is a fight I have to win. I sit with my back to the wall and I fucking love it. I’m ready to prove it. Liam Davies against the world. This is my motto now.”
The fight was scheduled to take place in July, but Davies contracted the virus and was forced to withdraw. Wanting to stay busy, Masoud stayed on the card and passed Marvin Solano, and a heated post-fight confrontation further increased the tension between the two.
Tuesday’s press conference was respectful, but Davies bristled when asked if he believed Masoud could test him, and dismissed the 27-year-old’s claim that he would not only win but make victory look uncomplicated.
“I don’t see it,” he said. “I fought every style. I am shown and checked on vital nights. I think he has the most vital test ahead of him. I have struggled with southpaws; punches; orthodox; awkwardness. I got through it quite comfortably. I don’t think Shabaz has ever fought someone like me as a professional.
“No one will ever have it uncomplicated with me. I know he believes he will win because we are fighters, right? We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t believe we would win, but he knows it won’t be uncomplicated. I hope so. I don’t expect it to be uncomplicated. I expect him to give his all and it will be a tough night.
“That’s what I’m preparing for, but don’t be surprised if it ends after a round or two because my punching power is ridiculous and I’m also a good boxer. I sparred with immense gloves and knocked down players. I can’t wait to get my little ones dressed and get to work.”
The skillful Masoud is talented but inconsistent, although he has beaten Davies twice in amateur competition. He spoke confidently that he was the more skillful fighter and believed his superior boxing IQ would play a significant role in deciding what happened when the first bell rang.
Davies believes his recent string of early victories has caused observers to overlook the boxing skills that led him to decision victories over the tricky Mark Leach and the threatening Ionut Baluta. He understands Masoud’s confidence, but insists he is the more well-rounded fighter and that his finishing ability will be decisive in the fight.
If he can top Masoud, Davies will be the main attraction for a while.
“He will believe it, and I wouldn’t want him to believe anything else,” he said of Masouda’s claims. “Of course I think I’m a better boxer and the fact is that I definitely punch harder. This won’t just be a boxing match. It’s a 12-round fight. We will argue. It’s the will and who wants it more sometimes. IQ is great, but you have to have a dog in you.
“I showed that I can put people together. I’m not the only one here, I’m cocky and people take it the wrong way. I’m just telling the truth. When I punch people, I can knock them out. Go and check my CV. It’s not that I’m conceited or trying to be arrogant, I’m just telling the truth. When I punch people, I can knock them out.
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Boxing
Petchmanee CP Freshmart and Carlos Canizales will fight for the 108-pound belt in November.
Published
16 mins agoon
October 1, 2024Former WBC strawweight champion Panya Pradrabsri (42-1, 27 KO) will challenge for another world title, moving up in weight to face Venezuelan Carlos Canizales (27-2-1, 19 KO) for the vacant WBC junior title junior flyweight belt.
Pradrabsri, rated No. 7 by The Ring at 105 pounds and also known by his nickname Petchmanee CPF, won the WBC strawweight title for the first time in 2020, dethroning long-reigning champion Chayaphon Moonsri (55-3, 19 KO). He successfully defended the title five times before losing it in October 2023 by unanimous decision to Japanese Yudai Shigeoka (9-1, 5 KO).
Since the loss, the 33-year-old Thai fighter has had three warm-up fights in the junior flyweight (108-pound) division, setting the stage for his upcoming showdown with Canizales. Pradrabsri, looking to regain his world champion status, will face stiff competition in the form of 31-year-old Canizales, currently rated No. 5 by The Ring at 108 pounds and a former WBA junior flyweight titleholder.
Canizales enjoys a good reputation after his victory over Ivan Garcia Balderas (12-3-1, 4 KO). Previously, the Venezuelan fought for the WBC 108-pound belt against Kenshiro Teraji (23-1, 14 KO), but lost by majority decision. Canizales also led to a draw with Japanese Ryoichi Taguchi (28-4-2, 12 KO) in a fight that took place at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
The Pradrabsri-Canizales fight will take place in Thailand, although the exact date and place have not been confirmed yet. The fight is expected to take place in November as both fighters look to cement their place in the featherlight heavyweight division’s elite.
Women’s boxing is divided into 17 weight classes, from heavyweight to atomweight. The four main sanctioning bodies, the WBO, IBF, WBA and WBC, have champions in most divisions. To make it easier for boxing fans, below is a table showing the holders of each minor title and belt.
You can find a list of the best fighters regardless of weight class in the ESPN rankings per pound.
Heavyweight (weight limit varies)
WBO: Not applicable
IBF (over 200 pounds): Empty
WBA: Not applicable
WBC: Klaressa Shields
Lightweight heavyweight (175 lbs)
WBO: Klaressa Shields
IBF: Lani Daniels
WBA: Che Kenneally
WBC: Empty
Super middleweight (168 lbs)
WBO: Empty
IBF: Savannah Marshall
WBA: Franchon Crews Dezurn
WBC: Franchon Crews Dezurn
Middleweight (160 lbs)
WBO: Empty
IBF: Empty
WBA: Klaressa Shields
WBC: Klaressa Shields
Junior middleweight (154 lbs)
WBO: Ema Kozin
IBF: Woman Hermans
WBA: Terri Harper
WBC: Ema Kozin*
Welterweight (147 lbs)
WBO: Mikaela Mayer
IBF: Natasha Jonah
WBA: Price Lauren*
WBC: Ivan Habazin
Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
WBO: Katie Taylor
IBF: Katie Taylor
WBA: Katie Taylor
WBC: Katie Taylor*
Lightweight (135 lbs)
WBO: Terri Harper
IBF: Beatriz Ferreira
WBA: Katie Taylor
WBC: Katie Taylor*
Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
WBO: Alicja Baumgardner
IBF: Alicja Baumgardner
WBA: Alicja Baumgardner
WBC: Alicja Baumgardner
Featherweight (126 lbs)
WBO: Amanda Serrano
IBF: Empty
WBA: Amanda Serrano
WBC: Skye Nicolson
Junior featherweight (122 pounds)
WBO: Ellie Scotney
IBF: Ellie Scotney
WBA: Nazaren Romero
WBC: Yamilet Mercado
Bantamweight (118 lbs)
WBO: Dina Thorslund
IBF: Miya Yoshida
WBA: Czerneka Johnson
WBC: Dina Thorslund
Junior bantamweight (115 pounds)
WBO: Mizuki Triuta
IBF: Irma Garcia
WBA: Clara Lescurat
WBC: Ashley González*
Flyweight (112 lbs)
WBO: Gabriela Alaniz
IBF: Gabriela Fundor
WBA: Gabriela Alaniz*
WBC: Gabriela Alaniz
Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
WBO: Evelyn Bermudez
IBF: Evelyn Bermudez
WBA: Jessica Nery Plata
WBC: Jessica Nery Plata
Strawweight (105 lbs)
WBO: Senise Estrada
IBF: Senise Estrada
WBA: Senise Estrada
WBC: Seniesa Estrada*
Atomic weight (102 lb)
WBO: Eri Matsuda
IBF: Weekly Sumire
WBA: Eri Matsuda
WBC: Tina Rupprecht
Who are the 10 best heavyweight fighters in the world today?
IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois defended his title for the first time, defeating Anthony Joshua on September 21. From the doorstep, Dubois looked keen and composed. He dominated the action from start to finish, losing to Joshua four times along the way, the last of which earned him an impressive and dramatic knockout victory. The upset victory sent shockwaves through the heavyweight landscape, where Joshua was widely viewed as a top three heavyweight. However, this is no longer the case.
The current reigning heavyweight king is Oleksandr Usyk. In his last fight, which took place in May, Usyk received a 12-round split decision against Tyson Fury. This victory gave Usyk the undisputed heavyweight title of the world, and Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since the great Lennox Lewis last held the distinction almost a quarter of a century earlier. Just over a month after winning the undisputed crown, Usyk vacated the IBF title, which currently belongs to Usyk’s former victim, Dubois.
Usyk is still the reigning WBA/WBO/WBC unified world champion and lineal heavyweight world champion, and his next fight is scheduled for December 21, which will be broadcast on DAZN.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAZN
2024 is shaping up to be a great year for heavyweight boxing, one of the best in a long time. More and more top heavyweights are regularly facing other top heavyweights, which is a good thing for the heavyweight division. Turki Al-Sheikh deserves a lot of credit because his interest in boxing helped finance many fights that we might not otherwise have seen, which was especially true in the heavyweight division. Let’s hope Turki continues to invest in heavyweight boxing (and boxing in general) where fans will be able to see more fascinating fights that are in high demand.
So who are the 10 best heavyweights competing in the world today?
This release Rummy Corner will attempt to answer this question while providing a quick overview of the current heavyweight landscape. Watch and enjoy the video to hear one man’s opinion. This is Rummy’s Corner (produced and narrated by Geoffrey Ciani).
Last update: 10/01/2024
Petchmanee CP Freshmart and Carlos Canizales will fight for the 108-pound belt in November.
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