SHABAZ Masoud, the super-bantam who gave a textbook display to lift the IBO world title, has been named Midlands male fighter of 2024.
The 28-year-old, from Stoke but with strong Telford links, picked up the gong at the glitzy Boxing Board of Control Midlands Council awards – a Rocky Oscars – staged on Sunday afternoon.
The cream of the region’s fighting talent packed out Scott Murray’s Premier Suite in Cannock for the annual presentation.
The prestigious male prospect honour went to Walsall flyweight sensation Hamza Uddin, a 21-year-old unbeaten in four and tipped for very big things.
Norfolk’s Emma Dolan was named female fighter of the year courtesy of her British and Commonwealth super-flyweight win over Shannon Ryan. Former elite amateur Omarah Taylor – from Great Barr- took the female prospect title. The 31-year-old welter is unbeaten in three.
But it was a show stolen by Jess “Banshee” Barry, who became first recipient of the Board’s “champion of champions” belt. The 30-year’s English featherweight title victory over Chelsey Arnell was also named female fight of the year.
Jess, from Coventry but trained at Eastside gym, Birmingham, enjoyed a sensational 2024.
As well as the English, she collected the Midlands super-feather crown and boxes for the Commonwealth silver title next month.
Clutching her trophies, she said: “I’m really feel proud and winning the fight of the year award, in particular, means a lot to me. I’ve had my share of bad luck in the past, but things have really come together now.”
There could only be one male fight of the year – former British welterweight champ Ekow Essuman’s epic 10th round stoppage victory over Owen Cooper.
The 35-year-old, from Nottingham, seemed down and out after being dropped heavily in the ninth, yet rallied to turn the tables in the final round.
Essuman, who paid tribute to former manager Jimmy Gill who died in January, had a simple message for fighters who believe he’s ready for the taking.
“Those who think they smell the blood in the water and dive in are going to get chewed up he said,” he said.
Of the remarkable comeback against Cooper, he added: “We’d been doing breathing exercises for that one. When I was put down, I knew it would take only a couple of seconds to get my breath back.”
He confided an announcement of “world breaking” significance is in the offing.
For Shabaz Masoud and Hamza Udin the future dazzles.
Fighter of the year Masoud performed twice last year, but received the honour for one breath-taking performance. It also earned him an “outstanding achievement” trophy on the afternoon.
An underdog against Telford rival and world champ Liam Davies, he gave an immaculate display of boxing in November. The decision in his favour was split, but Masoud was a worthy winner. Masoud looked something very special.
Uddin, guided by major promotional outfit Matchroom and trained by his father, came to the professional ranks with an outstanding unpaid pedigree.
He is a young man with big ambition. The prospect of the year told me: “I said I’d feel I failed if I only won a world title at one weight and I stand by that. I’m only 21 and still growing.”
Omarah Taylor, female prospect, also harbours lofty ambitions. She said: “I want to be world champion. That’s the dream and, with female fighters, that can be achieved in less time.”
Northampton’s Chantelle Cameron was a worthy recipient of an outstanding achievement gong.
Last year saw the 33-year-old claim the WBC interim super-lightweight belt and successfully defend it.
