This Saturday night, Newcastle becomes the stage for an intriguing super bantamweight clash as Britain’s Shabaz Masoud squares off against Jose Sanmartin. This fight is a rescheduled encounter initially set for last month’s undercard featuring Jack Catterall and Jorge Linares. Unfortunately, an illness post-weigh-in forced Masoud to step back, but now, the stage is set for this awaited showdown.
For Masoud, this fight is more than a comeback; it’s a crucial step in his career. After a year away from the ring, he’s eager to demonstrate his prowess and edge closer to domestic titles.
Here’s what you need to know about Masoud vs. Sanmartin:
- Date and Time: The fight is scheduled for Saturday, November 11. It starts at 7 p.m. UK time (2 p.m. ET), with the main event ringwalks expected around 10:22 p.m. UK time (5:22 p.m. ET). However, keep in mind that these timings might shift depending on how the undercard bouts pan out.
- How to Watch: For those wondering where to catch this exciting matchup, the entire card will be streamed live on DAZN, accessible in over 200 countries globally.
Shabaz Masoud:
“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. When one door closes, a better one opens, and now I’m headlining in Newcastle. I’ve got a history of fighting here, so it feels right. It’s been a year since my last bout, and my knuckles are itching to get back in the ring. Those who know me are aware of my dedication; I’m always in the gym. This past year has been a period of significant growth for me. Now, it’s time to display that improvement. I’m incredibly self-critical, always striving for perfection, even when I perform well. I believe my upcoming opponent is a step up from those I’ve faced before, but I’m confident in my abilities. While Gary Cully is talented, I’m Maverick Masoud, and I consider myself a cut above. I’m ready to prove that to everyone, especially Sanmartin. I feel superior in every way.”
Jose Sanmartin:
“I’m grateful for this chance to fight. I’m fully prepared for Masoud, and I hope he’s recovered from his illness. We have a solid strategy for this fight.
“My experience in the ring tells me not to worry about external pressures. I’m ready to claim victory and bring the title back to Colombia.
“As the fight unfolds, we’ll adapt our approach. A knockout would be ideal, but we’re prepared for any outcome. I’m confident about winning on Saturday and taking the title. Unfortunately for Masoud, I see him facing defeat.”
Cameron Vuong:
“My professional debut on the Wood vs. Warrington undercard was everything I hoped for. It was an incredible experience, and I executed my strategy flawlessly. I’m aiming to replicate that this Saturday. I doubt my press conference can match Mark Dickinson’s in terms of excitement, but I’m excited to be here. I’ve worked tirelessly to reach this point, and I thrive under the spotlight and pressure. Having Nigel and Jamie’s support is crucial; they keep me focused and ensure I get the right fights at the right times. This Saturday, I’m up against a tough Colombian opponent with a solid record. My goal is to deliver an impressive performance and secure a victory. Staying active is essential to me, and I plan to fight again in December.”
Calum French:
“Expect to see a revitalized Calum French this time around. I’m grateful to Eddie and Frank for keeping this event going. A few years back, if Lewis Ritson hadn’t fought, the whole event would’ve been canceled. I appreciate their commitment to providing us with opportunities to fight. I’ve been recovering from an injury and have done everything necessary to return as soon as the chance arose.
“In my professional journey so far, I’d rate myself a six out of ten. Transitioning from high-level amateur boxing to the professional scene has been a learning curve. In the beginning, I had to adjust to different levels of competition, but I’m facing a strong and ambitious opponent this Saturday. I believe this fight will bring out the best in me.”
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Undefeated Super-Bantamweight slickster Shabaz Masoud has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
One of the brightest talents in Britain, Shabaz has won all eleven on his professional contests since turning over at the Bolton Whites Hotel with a third round TKO win over Stefan Sashev back in May 2018.
The 27-year-old from Stoke is trained and managed by Ben Davison out of the Ben Davison Performance Centre in Harlow, Essex alongside two-time Featherweight World Champion Leigh Wood and rising Super-Welterweight star Pat McCormack.
‘Maverick’ (11-0, 4 KOs) picked up the WBA Intercontinental Title last time out in November by stopping fellow unbeaten rival Jack Bateson in the twelfth and final round of their clash at the Utilita Arena Sheffield.
Masoud, a former Sports Development student at Staffordshire University, hopes to follow in the footsteps of Prince Naseem Hamed and Amir Khan as a new wave of British-Asian fighters rise to the top of the sport.
“Alhamdulillah this is a huge step in the right direction for my career,” said Masoud. “Inshallah I’m a future World Champion and Matchroom have put together the path to make that happen. I want to thank Ben, Eddie and Frank for this opportunity. I’ve worked my whole life to seize it with both hands and that’s what I will be doing!
“To get the deal over the line there was a lot of back and forth. I wanted to be at the right place and I feel like this is the right time as well. I just can’t wait for a fight date now. I want to show the world what I’m about. It’s time to shine now.
“Training down at the Ben Davison Performance Centre, a lot of the guys there are signed with Matchroom. We all bounce off each other, we learn from each other and I feel like you’ve got to surround yourself with winners. We’re all coming to do big things. We want to be the best gym in Britain.
“When fans tune in to watch me live on DAZN all around the world they should expect slickness, beautiful boxing, power and speed. You’re going to get a bit of everything. I want to bring those big nights up to Stoke. Don’t blink.”
“I’m incredibly excited about signing one of the brightest Super-Bantamweight contenders in Britain.” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “He is a special talent with a big future in the sport. Ben Davison is very confident that Shabaz has what it takes to become a multi-weight World Champion. He showed what he’s capable of in his last fight, impressively stopping the undefeated Jack Bateson in the final round to pick up his first pro title. There’s plenty more to come from Shabaz and I can’t wait to get this journey started.”
“I’m excited for this partnership,” said Ben Davison. “Shabaz is a special talent with remarkable potential, he has a great blend of style with plenty of substance. Say hello to Matchroom and DAZN’s soon to be World Champion. Shabaz will underachieve if he doesn’t become a World Champion, if not a multi-weight World Champion.
“Shabaz is a very good student and he’s great to worth with. He’s a dedicated lad, travels a long way down here to the gym in Essex to work. He has the type of style that you don’t regularly see from the UK. He’s aggressive at times, he’s versatile, he’s slick, flamboyant and he has a little habit of showboating here and there which we’re not too keen on! There’s a lot he can offer.”
You can follow Masoud’s journey on Twitter: @ShabzMasoud and Instagram: shabaz_maverick_masoud
