I WAS just seven minutes away from the fight hotel in Birmingham. I then uttered the words, “It was a silky trip, without any hiccups,” when the M42 suddenly retaliated. I’m sure the highway police heard me and all exits off the M42 were immediately blocked. Seven minutes turned into 37. The car navigation and its mobile phone equivalent turned on, which was much better at signaling road closures. To be clear, it wasn’t me who was driving, it was my patient wife who was driving. I sensed her stress level rising. My words were chosen very carefully in relation to the long and final 37 minutes of the journey. I didn’t want the fights to start early.

We finally got there. Just a regular brigade of fighters hanging around the hotel foyer, seemingly unbothered by anything. Posing for selfies with friends and family before they had to leave for work. A brutal exchange where one fight, or even one punch, can change everything for them.

The competition for attention combined with tight T-shirts and baggy tracksuits was an extraordinary sight of extreme glamor dazzling bewildered players who came only for blood. They weren’t fight fans. Everyone could see it. We finally have a defined look. Apparently it was a glitzy awards night for a different industry.

A gigantic group of farmers came to the city to appreciate their work. Men dressed and footwear, women looked great in the most fashionable dresses. The only thing missing seemed to be Jeremy Clarkson. Although, truth be told, I could have used it when my food arrived before struggling with the extremely icy fries. Clarkson, like me, doesn’t like icy food when it should be served warm. Although we have different ways of expressing our feelings on such matters.

I was in town not to see the moments of difficult working and unsung farmers, but to watch some boxing courtesy of Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions. The sheer confusion of collecting a media pass is always a lot of fun, and sometimes even risky. This time it was quite a long walk around the back of the senior Birmingham Arena, which used to have an NEC on the front door, looking for a secret door marked A5. Even the security guard who was standing right in front of him didn’t know about his existence at first.

On paper, the program could promise very little. But in reality, it delivered everything and a little more. Saudi-backed programs have, without much discussion, diluted the quality of the home-made product. The frequency and level of programs in the UK have declined, quite significantly for some promotions. But Warren certainly avoided the quality dump better than his rivals. Where some have failed, he has maintained high standards. We saw a bit of that on Saturday night.

The initial fighting was mixed. But they were the ones that largely caught my attention. But the top three fights on the card delivered everything a fight fan could ask for.

Ben Vaughan quickly fought for the WBO European welterweight title against Ekow Essuman. We got blood, courage and a very good fight. Vaughan was incredibly brave and almost pulled out the win despite looking exhausted many times over the course of 10 wild rounds.

It was a fight reminiscent of the classic York Hall fight, in which nobbins would be more than suitable. Essuman, who is in the habit of organizing such fights, proudly carried his belt to breakfast on Sunday morning. Even when he ate from the hotel buffet, he did not part with his precious WBO bauble. For him, she is everything. We saw it the other night. Vaughan will come again. We should not forget what he gave. They both created everything that was good in this sport. A completely unexpected combat gem.

On Friday night, I finally found some time to watch Seniesa Estrada’s brutally candid interview with Crystina Poncher, which they did together for Top Rank. A retirement interview in which Estrada opened up about the physical and psychological brutality that boxing subjects its workers to. Estrada showed extraordinary courage in this interview. Poncher judged the tone perfectly. If you haven’t seen it, you must watch it. It’s riveting to watch. If sometimes it’s a little uncomfortable.

While watching this interview, I thought about Chantelle Cameron at various points. In a different way than Estrada, Cameron suffered from boxing. One can imagine a similar encounter with the former undisputed super lightweight world champion. Boxing hasn’t always been kind to her. Trust me, I’m being nice about this statement.

This year, Cameron changed her promoter and trainer. A period of finding yourself again. She found her love for sports again. Cameron is already there. I thought she showed the improvement she has been talking about since meeting Grant Smith in Sheffield on Saturday night against Patricia Berghult. The partnership is growing. Likewise Cameron.

Cameron scored a one-sided points victory over the former world champion. It will go unnoticed to some, but Cameron made a petite statement in her victory over Berghult. Now we’re looking at a substantial year in 2025. Cameron was ecstatic with her performance. But more importantly, she’s ecstatic again, period. After watching this gut-wrenching interview with Senisa Estrada, I appreciate it more than ever. Boxing demands a lot. It shouldn’t take everything. Estrada is currently writing her life story. Chantelle Cameron will surely do the same one day.

The star of the show in Birmingham was Shabaz Masoud. He may be an even bigger star in the future. A breakthrough performance that earned his promoter a few more points in his little personal, and now warm, rivalry with Frank Warren. Liam Davies lost his IBO super bantamweight title at the hands of the inspired and quite brilliant Masoud. A war inside the ring that was fought in a thunderous and passionate atmosphere and which fortunately did not escalate into anything more. Rival fans who created a real atmosphere of a great fight.

Masoud started quickly, but there was always a feeling that Davies would at some point close this initial and significant points deficit. I have often thought about Colin Jones and his two fights with Kirkland Laing. But despite a few fleeting moments of hope, Davies couldn’t find what he needed. Although one judge somehow and inexplicably declared Davies the winner. I could only give him three rounds from the ring. Even four rounds was a bit generous. In no way, shape or form did Davies win this fight. Boxing never stops finding ways to surprise us. Although it doesn’t really surprise us anymore. That’s where the problem lies. We accept ridiculousness too easily. Although many would exploit much stronger words.

LAST night the squared circle gave us the birth of a potential fresh super bantamweight star, the dominance of one of the best fighters in the world and revenge in Texas.

Shabaz Masoud, Chantelle Cameron and O’Shaquie Foster are now in a good position to have a large fight in 2025. But who can wait for the triumphant trio and what’s next for Liam Davies after his impressive run ends?

looks to the future.

Shabaz Masoud and Liam Davies

Their amateur history created a professional preparation competition that felt real and wasn’t forced to sell tickets. Masoud proved what many people thought: that he would rise to the occasion and face his greatest test. Davies may have been too nervous and in love with the power that has stopped his last three opponents.

Masoud now holds the IBO super bantamweight belt, and the winner of December’s fight between Dennis McCann and Peter McGrail is a viable option. The division will only learn about undisputed champion Naoya Inoue’s plans after his fight against Sam Goodman on Christmas Eve. Matchroom may consider pairing Masoud with Inoue’s former opponent TJ Doheny, but his team must now build on this win and build something even bigger.

Davies will realize what he did wrong against Masoud, and a fight against someone like Doheny would certainly better suit his style.

Cameron could be one win away from regaining his world titles.

Chantelle Cameron

The former undisputed super lightweight champion appears to have found a fresh lease of life since moving to Grant Smith’s gym. Cameron played a professional match against Patricia Berghult and the result was not in doubt. The 33-year-old will be particularly eyeing the November 15 rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, with the winner particularly in Cameron’s sights. It also cannot be ruled out that he will move to the welterweight category in 2025 to face Natasha Jonas or Mikaela Mayer for the world titles.

Foster wants to unify the super featherweight division.

O’Shaquie Foster

The 31-year-old equalized the score at 1-1 against Robson Conceicao after an unlucky defeat in the first match in July. Foster regained the WBC super featherweight title and hopes to unify in 2025. The Top Rank fighter is already eyeing a fight with the winner of the rematch between WBO champion Emmanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez. Elsewhere at 130 pounds, WBA champion Lamont Roach is closing in on Gervonta Davis, and Anthony Cacace could be tempted to grab the IBF title instead of facing mandatory challenger Eduardo Nunez.

AFTER their controversial first fight, when Robson Conceicao somehow won a split decision over O’Shaquie Foster in Newark in July, an immediate rematch was ordered. Before they face off again, we take a look at their best wins so far.

O’SHAQUIE FOSTER TOP 3 WINS

Vs Abraham Nova, 16/02/24, Modern York – W SD 12

This wasn’t Foster at his best, and rival Abraham Nova certainly made it a lot more challenging than many expected. However, in his second defense of the WBC super featherweight title, Foster proved his durability, crashing the fight despite suffering a bicep injury in the fifth round at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. He started slowly, but continued to rack up rounds in the second half of the fight and even knocked down Nova in the 12th to seal the victory.

Vs Eduardo Hernandez, 28/10/24, Cancun – W TKO 12

It was as dramatic as possible. At the start of the 12th round, challenger Rocky Hernandez appeared to be on his way to an upset victory in Cancun. Foster knew he needed a knockout to leave Mexico with his belt, so he kept the pressure on, looking for it. He defeated Hernandez, who was riding a six-fight win streak by knockout, twice in the 12th with just 29 seconds left, Foster making it to the finish when another huge wave forced Hector Afu into the action. As it happened, Foster was tough at the time of the stoppage on two of the three cards.

Vs Rey Vargas, 11/02/23, San Antonio – WUD 12

While his first defense against Hernandez was a last-gasp madness, Rey Vargas’ victory and the world title showed just how well Foster could take control of a fight and not let it get out of hand. Vargas was 36-0 before he faced the Texan and was a slight favorite among bookmakers, but Foster started the match quickly and didn’t let it go to waste. “I didn’t think it was close,” he said after the judges scored it 117-111, 119-109 and 116-112. “But my coaches encouraged me not to let off the gas and not to get any closer to the finish line. I wanted to close the program.”

ROBSON CONCEICAO TOP 3 WINS

Vs Eduardo Reis, 29/08/2020, Sao Paulo – W TKO 2
Difficult hitting Eduardo Reis had 19 knockouts out of 24 wins before he faced Robson Conceicao in the Brazilian derby in Sao Paulo. And while he wasn’t expected to win here, it was suggested he might give the Olympic gold medalist food for thought. But he didn’t do it. Instead, Conceicao tackled his compatriot three times before the referee stopped him 28 seconds into the second.

Vs Luis Coria, 31/10/2023, Las Vegas – WUD 10
Dominating almost every round of every fight en route to a 14-0 record, he had something more to prove against Luis Coria in an unexpected and bloody war with the American. It wasn’t Conceicao’s best performance, but after a tough fall in the second round, it proved a lot about his fortitude and determination. Referee Mike Ortega deducted points twice, but he refused to give up, biting the rubber guard and trading with Coria. In the end, all three judges gave it to Conceicao in a fight that would have left a weaker man wilting.

Vs Xavier Martinez, 29/1/2022, Tulsa – W UD 10
It was Conceicao’s return to the ring after losing his undefeated record to Oscar Valdez four months earlier, and it reminded him of his talent. He felt tough after the decision to lose to Valdez and said he used the disappointment to fuel him in this fight – and it showed. Martinez was 17-0 at the time, but the Brazilian looked like he was in a different league as he put in his career-best performance and clearly won all three cards. “I was able to dominate that night because I put in so much work and was motivated,” Conceicao said. “I know I should be champion. I know I beat Oscar Valdez.”

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JULY 5: O’Shaquie Foster (left) faces Robson Conceicao of Brazil (right) during the weigh-in for their WBC Jr. world title fight. lightweight at the Prudential Center on July 5, 2024 in Newark, Modern Jersey. (Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)