Liam Davies Outboxes Ionut Baluta in a Dominating Performance
Super bantamweight Ionut “Il Capo” Baluta (15-4, 3KOs) put his WBC #10 ranking on the line against prospect Liam “Dangerous” Davies (13-0, 5KOs).
Davies entered the fight undefeated and looking to make a splash in the division. In 2018, he gave the United Kingdom boxing fans a glimpse of the future as he boxed to a shutout decision victory. During his run on the professional level, Davies has managed to grab the WBC International Silver title and the BBBofC British title.
Despite being ranked, Baluta is relatively unknown. Some fans may remember his fight against title challenger Michael Conlan in 2021. He scored the biggest career victory over former IBF champion TJ Doheny in 2020. Furthermore, the Spanish residence holds the WBC International title.
In addition, the winner will walk away with the EBU European vacant title. This typically is the belt fighters on the domestic level hold before looking to fight on the world stage.
THE JAB WAS THE KEY EARLY
Davies took advantage of his reach by using the jab to perfection. He kept peppering Baluta with it and disrupting his movement. Moreover, he would land good right hands to the body before retreating to the center of the ring, keeping the fight at mid-range.
Baluta found some success by rushing in to get around the jab, and landed a few wild right hands. Yet, Davies quickly adjusted by stepping back and landing the left hook to regain control of the fight.
In the middle rounds, Davies was in complete control. He went back to using the jab and movement to control Baluta. He picked up the punch-output while mixing up his attack combinations to keep his opponent off balance. Baluta would find a second wind and land a right hand followed by some good body shots. Yet, Davies would regain control with the jab and his footwork.
CLOSING THE SHOW DOWN THE STRETCH
In the final rounds, Davies landed counter right and left hooks against a wildly charging Baluta. He again was using that jab and his superior footwork to maintain range and occasionally would land the uppercut while in the clinch.
Davies opened the attack whenever his opponent would get on the ropes, and land hard right hands. Moreover, his footwork stayed on point. He proved effective at evading those wild shots from the native Romanian.
When the final bell sounded, the crowd erupted with belief that their hometown fighter had done it. The judges had it 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112 in favor of Davies. 3Kings Boxing scored it 119-109 for Davies.
It was a good win for the young man from Telford. During the post-fight interview, he called for another big step-up fight.
By: Garrisson Bland
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