The Culture

Monte-Carlo Showdown VI: A Night of Upsets, Dominance and New Champions in the Principality

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by Natalia Bezruk Senior Contributor
December 08, 2025
Monte-Carlo Showdown VI: A Night of Upsets, Dominance and New Champions in the Principality

©Mark Robinson/Matchroom

The glittering Salle des Étoiles set the stage for one of Monaco’s most electrifying boxing nights in recent memory. With Prince Albert II seated ringside beside Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn, Monte-Carlo Showdown VI delivered drama, upsets, and breakout performances — capped by Shabaz Masoud’s triumphant return to the ring.

Masoud, fighting for the first time in over a year, claimed the vacant EBU European Super Bantamweight Championship with a unanimous decision over fellow Brit Peter McGrail. Though McGrail started fast and closed strong, Masoud’s sharper, more composed work impressed the judges, who scored the bout 116–111, 115–112 and 114–113.

After the victory, Masoud made his intentions clear: he plans to move up to Featherweight in 2026 and chase WBA World Champion Nick Ball. “I’m struggling to make Super Bantamweight,” he admitted. “There’s a British world champion at the weight above — that’s the fight I want.”

The undercard delivered its own fireworks. Northern Ireland’s Sean McComb stunned the crowd by stopping Monaco’s own Hugo Micallef in the eighth round after three knockdowns, securing the IBF European Super-Lightweight title. Moments later, the arena erupted again when Conah Walker produced the shock of the night — a dramatic 12th-round stoppage over previously undefeated Olympic star Pat McCormack. A late barrage sent McCormack through the ropes before the referee halted the bout, propelling Walker firmly into the global Welterweight conversation.

Heavyweight fan-favourite Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher survived a first-round knockdown against the towering Croatian Ivan Balaz before roaring back under new trainer Tony Sims. Fisher dropped Balaz three times in the fourth to seal his 14th career win.

In the co-main event, Elif Nur Turhan delivered a career-defining performance, overwhelming Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira with relentless pressure. A brutal fifth-round assault forced the stoppage and crowned Turhan the new IBF World Lightweight Champion — a victory Hearn hailed as proof she is emerging as one of boxing’s most dangerous pound-for-pound talents.

Monte-Carlo once again proved itself a world stage for unforgettable combat — and the fighters answered with a night for the history books.


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Natalia Bezruk

Senior Contributor

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