Undefeated Floyd Masson 11-0 (7) scored a career-best win when he outpointed former world title challenger Mark ‘Bam Bam’ Flanagan 25-8 (18) to claim the Australian cruiserweight title at Eatons Hotel in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday night.
The bout was action-packed from the first bell to the last with southpaw Masson on the deck in the opening frame courtesy of a big right hand before willing himself back into the fight.
There we a lot of closely contested rounds in the fight but the 30-year-old Masson, originally from Te Awamutu, New Zealand but now residing in Brisbane, seemed to get the better of the action with his persistent feints, clever footwork and sneaky left hand.
Midway through the fourth round Masson sunk a left hand into the midriff of Flanagan that sunk the more experienced Flanagan, 31, to his knees. The pair then proceeded to trade until the bell.
The fifth and sixth rounds were close with high volume punching from both men to the head and body.
Masson increased his aggression in the seventh, getting the better of the action on the inside as he dug to the body with both hands and snapping Flanagan’s head back with one-twos when he pinned him on the ropes late in the frame.
The eighth saw both boxers trade bombs and find each other’s chin as the inside action continued. Masson got the better of the action in the back half of the stanza.
Masson went back to boxing long in the ninth, bloodying Flanagan’s nose and rocking his head back with a series of left crosses late in the round.
The 10th round started with a bear hug between the two friends and former sparring partners before they got back to work. In another action-packed round both men emptied their tanks and traded until the bell to close out the main event of the Ace Boxing show.
Judge Phil Gregory scored the bout even at 94-94 while judges Phil Austin and Roy Saunders both saw it the same, 96-92 for Flanagan.
Masson praised Flanagan for his work ethic after the fight.
“I want to thank Bam Bam,” he said. “Not many people know he gets up at 6am and goes to work all day and trains at 8pm. I train full time. That’s my job. All respect to him. I love Bam Bam.
“In round one, I was out on my feet. He should have jumped on me… I always wanted to be a world champion. I want to fight the best and Bam Bam is the best outside of Jai Opetaia. I dedicate my life to this. It’s a dream come true.”
Flanagan was gracious in defeat and admitted working full time had not done him any favours.
“It’s was a good fight,” he said. “I dropped him in round one. I should have jumped him but he has a good poker face. He had a bit extra in the tank. He came home strong. He had a great work rate.
“Hope the crowd enjoyed the fight. I work hard all day and train late. To have the edge it is not enough at this level.”
