Shabaz 'Maverick' Masoud Secures WBA
In a thrilling showdown at the Newcastle Arena, Shabaz 'Maverick' Masoud secured the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight title for the second time with a hard-fought split decision win against Jose 'El General' Sanmartin. The unbeaten Masoud, boasting a record of 12-0 with 4 knockouts, showcased his skill and determination over 10 rounds, claiming victory over his experienced opponent, Sanmartin (34-8-1, 21KO). The early rounds saw Colombian fighter Sanmartin aggressively pursuing Masoud, who skillfully countered with multiple jabs. As the bout progressed, Masoud's superior work in infighting proved crucial, especially in the fifth round where he showcased his dominance. The fight reached its pinnacle in the 10th and final round, treating fans to an exhilarating display. The judges' scorecards ultimately favored Masoud, with scores of 98-92, 96-94, and 96-94. In the co-feature, middleweight Mark 'Boo Boo' Dickinson (6-0, 2KO) delivered a stunning performance, stopping Grant 'Go-Getter' Dennis (18-6, 3KO) in the fifth round of an English title middleweight eliminator. Dickinson's strategic body shots took a toll on the 40-year-old Dennis, securing the victory at 1:10 of the fifth round. The undercard featured intense matchups, including a super welterweight clash between Ewan 'El Pedro' Mackenzie and Ishmael 'Black Panther' Davis, where Davis emerged victorious in the eighth round. Additionally, super lightweight Calum French faced a stoppage by Jeff Ofori in the eighth round. In the lightweight category, Cameron 'The One' Vuong triumphed over John 'Happy' Henry Mosqueura, securing a dominant win over four rounds. Middleweight Jimmy Sains stopped Jesus Lobeto in the second round, and light heavyweight Ben Rees achieved a fifth-round stoppage against Sadam Moamed De Silva Caetano. Super lightweight Owen Rees closed the night with a fifth-round stoppage against Konrad Czajkowski. The Newcastle Arena witnessed a night of thrilling bouts, showcasing the resilience and skill of emerging and established fighters in the world of boxing.
