Undefeated
Shabaz Masoud has withdrawn from his anticipated June 21 clash with
Peter McGrail due to a training injury.
The pair were set to meet at the BP Pulse Live Arena as part of the undercard for
Galal Yafai’s homecoming fight against Francisco Rodriguez Jr.But with Masoud now unavailable, Matchroom have confirmed that McGrail will instead face 17-5-1 (3) Ionut Baluta.
The Romanian is well known to British boxing fans with his last eight fights taking place on English soil. Most recently he beat Brad Strad over 10 rounds on March 15.
And now Strand’s fellow Liverpudlian McGrail, who also trains out of the Everton Red Triangle gym, will get the chance to add Baluta’s name to his resume.
Masoud, meanwhile, had been scheduled to box for the first time this year following his career best win over local rival Liam Davies in November but will now have to wait.
A Matchroom statement read: “Shabaz Masoud has sustained an injury in training and his fight on June 21 against Peter McGrail has been cancelled. We wish Shabaz a speedy recovery.
“McGrail will now fight Ionut Baluta as he puts his WBA international super-bantamweight title on the line at Birmingham’s BP Pulse LIVE.
“WBC interim flyweight champion Galal Yafai headlines a stacked card in his hometown as he faces Francisco Rodriguez - live worldwide on DAZN.”