Masoud Wins European Super Bantamweight Title by UD

Shabaz Masoud captured the vacant European super bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Peter McGrail on Saturday night at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The 12-round bout, marked by shifting momentum and tactical exchanges, ended with judges' scores of 116-111, 115-112, and 114-113 in favor of Masoud, who improved to 15-0 with four knockouts.

McGrail, a southpaw from Liverpool, controlled the early rounds with aggressive pressure and precise shots, dictating the pace and landing combinations from various angles. Masoud, fighting out of Stoke and returning after a 13-month layoff due to injury, absorbed the onslaught but adjusted by the fifth round. He used his jab effectively to counter McGrail's advances and targeted the body with uppercuts, particularly in the middle rounds. A left uppercut in the ninth round staggered McGrail against the ropes, though he recovered to rally in the later stages.

The fight's closeness was underscored by a point deduction from McGrail in the 10th round for a punch to the back of Masoud's head, a call that referee Giuseppe Quartarone enforced after Masoud complained. McGrail regained momentum in the 11th and 12th...