There haven’t been many better performances in British rings this year than the virtuoso display Shabaz Masoud turned in to take Liam Davies’ unbeaten record and IBO junior featherweight title on Saturday night. 

 

Masoud was composed, accurate and showed exactly why his trainer, Ben Davison, has always spoken so highly of him.

 

When people discuss the long list of talent at Davison’s gym, Masoud’s name will now be mentioned alongside the likes of Moses Itauma, Anthony Joshua, Pat and Luke McCormack, Leigh Wood and Aloys Junior. 

 

Another of Davison’s brightest hopes is 20-year-old Royston Barney-Smith, 12-0 (6 KOs). The unbeaten junior lightweight was supporting Masoud at last weekend’s show and spoke about just what it is like being a part of such a busy, talented stable. 

 

“It's good because we’re all striving for greatness,” he said. “We’re all chasing one another to get there first. Each fight everyone has, everybody wants to outdo it in their next one. That’s the great thing about being in the gym. Being around greatness makes greatness.”

 

Barney-Smith has had a busy year. His ability makes it easy to forget just how young he is and the first two and a half years of his career have been spent slowly getting him used to life as a professional. 

 

Just two weeks ago, he notched up his fourth win of the year by stopping Carlos Rayo, 13-2 (7 KOs), with a well picked second-round body shot and has already begun preparations for fifth. He will box on the undercard of the British middleweight title fight between Brad Pauls and Denzel Bentley.

 

Next year, the training wheels will come off. Barney-Smith looks ready for title level and, although he refrained from mentioning any names, he revealed that he will be stepping up in class early in 2025. 

 

“I’m boxing again in December on the Magnificent Seven show, I’m looking for another step up in opponent and next year I want to push on for bigger and better things,” he said.

 

“I’m gonna give it to you after this next fight [his step up opponent]. I’m gonna get this one out of the way with hopefully another KO or stoppage and then I’ll announce it in the ring.”

John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X