Davies vs Masoud betting preview

The long running feud between Liam Davies and Shabaz Masoud will reach boiling point this weekend when the super bantamweights meet at Birmingham’s Resort’s World Arena. For all the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.

The pair were due to meet earlier this year but Davies was forced out through illness. They finally get to settle their differences this weekend.

Rather than dampening down the tension, the unfortunate delay actually seems to have built momentum behind the event and the IBO super bantamweight title fight now has the feel of a real big, domestic grudge match.

Let’s have a look at how the fighters match up in a few key areas.

FORM

Since stepping up to title level, Davies, 16-0 (8 KOs), hasn’t just survived, he has thrived. Since stopping Marc Leach to win the British super bantamweight title in June 2022, Davies has been outstanding.

He outboxed the tough Ionut Baluta to win the European title and stopped the respected Jason Cunningham inside a round. He won a firefight with tough Italian, Vincenzo La Femina, and demolished the dangerous Mexican, Erik Robles to win the IBO title.

Apart from the knockdown he suffered against La Femina, it is almost impossible to find fault with anything Davies has done. He is proven at this level.

Masoud, 13-0 (4 KOs), has boxed at a lower level but has beaten everybody he has been matched with. His best performance came when he outpointed the talented Jack Bateson two years ago. Although he got the decision against the experienced Colombian, Jose Sanmartin, Masoud wasn’t at his best and, in the eyes of some observers, was slightly fortunate to escape with his unbeaten record intact.

This is a real step up in class for Masoud.

Davies is a warm favourite at 3/10. Masoud is a live underdog and is available at 5/2.

THE MENTAL BATTLE

Masoud will believe that he holds the mental edge in this fight after notching up two victories over Davies when they were amateurs. Although it should be remembered that professional boxing is a totally different sport to amateur boxing, the results are still noteworthy.

Although the build up has been fiery, the spite has mainly developed between Davies and Masoud’s supporters rather than the fighters.

The fight was due to take place in July but Davies was ruled out by an illness. Masoud stayed on the show to keep busy and Davies decided to go along to watch. After watching Masoud outpoint Marvin Solano, Davies ended up embroiled in a post fight row with Masoud and his fans.

Davies is of the opinion that those friends and family have talked Masoud into a tough situation and that he doesn’t believe in himself as much as they do.

Davies is an emotional character who likes to find an angle to get his teeth into but Masoud believes that he will let those emotions carry him away from his game plan.

He has stayed calm throughout the build up and tried his best to avoid getting involved in a war of words. Masoud will know that a calm head will be absolutely crucial if he is to upset the odds on Saturday night.

If you believe Davies will fly out of the traps and storm to another convincing knockout win, that is available at evens. If you think Masoud can stay safe and box his way to a decision, that is priced at 11/2.

SKILL AND STYLE

Both fighters progressed smoothly through the small halls, beating the typical journeymen and opponents that all young prospects face.

Since Davies started fighting people who got into the ring with hopes and ambitions of their own, he has been unstoppable. He has blown away respected fighters and champions but also proven himself to be a top class boxer, outthinking and outboxing the aggressive, awkward Ionut Baluta and the tricky, clever southpaw, Marc Leach. Davies has proven that he can be effective against any style.

Masoud is a tidy, slick boxer who is a capable switch hitter. Once he hits his rhythm, he can be extremely tricky to untrack. Against Jack Bateson, Masoud proved that he has good levels of stamina as he accelerated to the final bell and dropped the man from Leeds in the twelfth and final round.

Masoud has yet to face anyone with Davies’ ability to finish a fight quickly but if he can defuse the big puncher, things could turn in his direction.

WHAT HAPPENS

It is very difficult to look past Davies. He has established himself as one of Britain’s fastest rising fighters over the past couple of years but leapt at the chance to fight Masoud who, in truth, was a level or two behind him but has the potential and style to cause him issues.

That shows his level of confidence and his determination to bring this rivalry to a definite conclusion.

If he is to succeed, Masoud will need to weather an early storm, find his rhythm and frustrate Davies. He will also need to keep his concentration for every second of every round as Davies has shown that he carries fight-ending power.

If Davies does over commit, Masoud may find success early with well picked counter punches but the more likely scenario is that Davies boxes aggressively but smartly and gets to Masoud through the middle rounds.

A Davies stoppage between rounds seven and nine is priced at 4/1. If Masoud can dig in and make it to the end, a Davies decision is available at 11/5.

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