LIAM DAVIES kept his composure despite attempts to unsettle him by supporters of Shabaz Masoud at today’s final press conference.
The two super-bantamweights put their unbeaten records on the line in the Queensberry main event at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham. Davies will also defend his IBO super-bantamweight belt as he looks to continue the momentum that has seen him scale the world rankings at 122lbs.
Davies and Masoud already have history from their amateur days where the latter won the two times they fought. As things stand it’s Davies’ career on the up and up while Masoud needs the scalp of the 28-year-old to further his own ambitions.
Saturday’s main event fighters didn’t engage in a back and forth earlier today. Masoud said little but someone from his team or a supporter decided to do something which caught the attention of Davies and annoyed him. It wasn’t long before Davies got involved in verbal exchanges with the culprit and their associates.
“You were amateur boxers that never made it. Stop being sour,” Davies said to them.
Prior to that host Dev Sahni had wondered if there was something deeper to the rivalry with Masoud.
“We’re just chasing dreams,” Davies answered.
“We’ve done this all our life. Other people get involved. I’ve been out with my wife, people have drove past shouting s**t at me. It’s okay. I can take it. Saturday night you’re going to see the best of me. People shouting… this ain’t about you bro. This is your mate’s time. Sit there and enjoy it, buy your ticket. That’s it.”
Davies was asked by Sahni if Masoud’s friends had “talked him into a beating”.
“It’s unfortunate for him, he’s gotta take it,” he replied.
“I wish him all the best because trust me I’m on a mission. I’m fired up, ready to go. We done a lot of talking. The fight’s sold. Saturday night, can’t wait. And still. Liam Davies knockout.”
Masoud, promoted by Matchroom, goes into the fight as an underdog with Davies the odds-on favourite to retain his belt.
“I’ve always performed better when I was the underdog,” the challenger said. “One of the reasons why I started boxing was something to prove and this is another thing for me. I gotta prove everyone wrong.”
As the two posed for pictures and a face-off you would have been forgiven for thinking the two fighters might engage in some pushing and shoving but instead Davies left Masoud with these words: “Don’t worry I’ll make it quick on Saturday.”