Tristan: That wasn’t the Liam that I know
Liam Davies…lost his title to local rival Shabaz Masoud
I FEARED Liam Davies had become entangled in emotions before last night’s title fight with Shabaz Masoud.
I wrote that it had become personal. And when things are personal, when boxing becomes something more than simply business, game plans go out of the window.
That, in my view, is what happened at Resorts World as Davies lost his IBO super-bantam belt by split decision: 116-112 and 115-113 for Masoud and 115-113 for Davies.
Southpaw Masoud won clearly, despite how one judge saw it. And the fighter, based in Stoke but with strong family connections to the champ’s Telford district, fought magnificently, landing sharp left counters with lightning speed and accuracy.
Davies had his moments, but was picked off as he surged forward looking for the one shot that would seal spectacular victory.
The underdog produced a sublime, intelligent performance. He dazzled and I will not diminish his deed.
But the Liam Davies who fought last night was not the same fighter who had glided to a top world ranking. The moves, the subtlety was missing. In all honesty, the boxing IQ was missing.
The Liam Davies who lost for the first time in 17 contests seemed simply hell-bent on throwing bombs.
The comments and conduct of some fans in the ugly build-up – and they were definitely beyond the boundaries of sporting acceptability – became embedded in Davies’ slender frame. They burned. They turned a boxer into a brawler. They shredded his script for the bout.
The fighters were blameless. Both acted with dignity and respect before and after the 12 rounder.
The bottom line is Masoud handled the occasion much better. He kept his head, Liam didn’t.
Davies had predicted the sweetest win of his career. He experienced the sourest of nights.
There were, I believe, other factors. Liam looked gaunt at the press conference, drained at the weigh-in.
I wouldn’t like to see the 28-year-old attempt to again squeeze his long body into the super-bantam division.
But the biggest factor was the fact Masoud was simply much, much better than most fans thought he’d be.
Today, Liam’s father and trainer, Tristan – as honest as the day is long – admitted tactics were washed away in a sea of bad blood.
“He didn’t turn up, it wasn’t the same Liam,” Tristan said. “There was no jab, no footwork, he was just trying to jump on him. He didn’t even move his head.
“Liam had a point to prove and played into their hands. He thought it was not just for him, but for everybody.
“You saw it at the press conference and all the way through. You can see why people go off social media because there are some horrible people out there.
“Shabaz has always been respectful, we know it’s not him. It’s just a couple of people around the area. You could see them there, trying to intimidate people.
“Liam’s gutted because he knows he didn’t turn up. The three knockouts (in Davies’ contests before facing Masoud) didn’t help him at all. He felt he needed a knockout to impress Frank (promoter Frank Warren) and the fans.
“After two rounds I thought, this is not the Liam I’ve been seeing in the gym.”
It was bull and matador stuff. Liam, cut by the side of the right eye, waded forward, Masoud countered with precision before moving away.
He gave an impressive exhibition of the noble art. Frankly, a masterclass.
“Maybe Liam will go up a weight now,” Tristan admitted. “I can’t let the lad keep beasting his body. It’s too much, I do want him to go up to feather. But that’s not an excuse for what happened
“It’s a bitter pill to swallow. But this is boxing, you have your highs and lows. The ref didn’t really play into our hands, but I thought we lost the fight – just. There wasn’t a lot in it.”
Last night belonged to Shabaz Masoud. That is a fact.
And last night, he looked special. That, too, is beyond argument.