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SportsTranscript
00:00So, I spoke to you about the dressing room, what do you expect?
00:05Professor at all times, obey my instructions, watch your heads and keep it clean.
00:08Any questions? Let's go to work.
00:12So Marcus McDonald the referee and we're all set for the first title fight of the night.
00:16A belt vacated by Nathaniel Collins and tonight two unbeaten men will try and win it.
00:22Masoud Abdullah from Barnet has the local support, George Stewart who's eight years his junior at 22
00:27has travelled down from Inverness to try and become a champion.
00:31It could be a good one this one Richie.
00:33I always like it Fletcher when there's two undefeated boxers going at it.
00:38So yes, obviously Abdullah 30 years of age, not really much experience in terms of the fights they've had.
00:47Remember Abdullah's 10 and 0 and young George Stewart 22 years of age is 7 and 0.
00:54So yeah, in terms of the number of bouts they've had, similar in experience.
00:59And they say styles make fights and we know that George Stewart is a come forward sort of style that he has.
01:07But Masoud Abdullah is very similar in that he likes to throw a box on that front foot coming forward.
01:13So something's got to give here.
01:16The record of the two men suggests that Abdullah is the one with the power
01:22and it's a brilliant opportunity for both of them tonight.
01:24Abdullah was working in a pizza shop two years ago.
01:27Stewart's got a job making roof trusses when he's not in the ring and tonight
01:31they're trying to win a title previously held by the likes of Lee Wood, Josh Warrington, Scott Harrison
01:37and even further back the great Azuma Nelson.
01:40This really can be a launch pad for you.
01:42Absolutely, yeah. It's a big opportunity for both boxers here.
01:47And Abdullah on the outside, in and out with the feet.
01:53But I like the sort of rhythm of Stewart who started off.
01:56Watch out for that right hand counter of his.
01:58Abdullah's got to watch as he drifts around to his left.
02:01He's got a fairly low lead hand and Stewart already showed me a couple of signs of this right hand counter that he throws.
02:10He's got a nice rhythm to his boxing and he'll watch out for that shot, that right hand counter of his.
02:15Abdullah's got to watch what he's doing with that low lead hand if he's drifting around onto that punch.
02:20George Stewart with the fair hair and the green trunks, the black trunks of Masoud Abdullah.
02:28Both in great form, both have beaten Stewart's won titles in his last two fights.
02:33While Abdullah's had really good wins against Mark Leash and Kez Afrak, both of them via stoppage.
02:42And of course the incentive of becoming Commonwealth featherweight champion.
02:46Huge for both men here that have packed out York Hall.
03:03Early signs, Fletcher. Abdullah's probably just a little bit quicker on his feet.
03:09He's in what we call that thinking distance, out of punching range, plans the attacks and then comes forward very quickly.
03:14There he is, there you see.
03:16So Stewart's got to watch out for that, try and catch him as he's coming forward.
03:22So slightly quicker feet from Abdullah.
03:25It's been a fairly even round, not a lot in it at all.
03:34And there's the bell to end the first.
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04:09There's the very talented Royston Barney Smith sat next to Francis Warren at ringside.
04:17And the reason why we're showing him to you is the fact that he's been working with Masoud Abdullah in preparation for tonight.
04:25In Ben Davison's gym, Lee Wood's been around the scene as well.
04:29So he's got himself some decent prep with some talented fighters for his big night.
04:36Yeah, he's had good sparring, hasn't he? Royston Barney Smith, Lee Wood, Shabazz Masoud also he's been sharing the ring with.
04:43So, yes, good preparation for him.
04:48I couldn't speak to him in that opening round, I thought he was very close indeed.
04:52Both of them decided to dig their toes in the canvas and stand toe to toe here at the start of the second.
04:58Championship distance, 12 rounds, they keep Commonwealth featherweight title.
05:02And starting to warm up nicely between two men who don't know what defeat tastes like in the professional ranks.
05:09Just on the subject of Lee Wood, he's here tonight and he told us earlier that he's hoping to be out in November.
05:14So it's going to be great to see him back again.
05:17Abdullah just having a bit of more success again with that speed of foot.
05:21Also, he's delivered a couple of decent left hooks.
05:24Now, one of the problems Stewart's got here, I've talked about that right hand counter, which is pretty good.
05:29But the downside to his right hand is too low, Fletch.
05:33He's open to a left hook.
05:34If you watch his right hand, it keeps drifting down to his chest, especially when he's in mid-range.
05:39And that's when he's going to get caught with the left hook.
05:41So he's got to be careful, young George Stewart, as he's going forward.
05:46That right hand of his keeps drifting down and he's open to a left hook here.
05:51There's the right hand drilled in by Abdullah.
05:55He's stopped seven of the ten opponents that he's beaten so far.
05:59Just the one stoppage for George Stewart.
06:03So that indicates the power is with the man from Barnet.
06:15And this really is the perfect setting, isn't it, for a fight like this.
06:18York Hall, Commonwealth title, two unbeaten men.
06:21Yeah, and the unbeaten Fletch, it's something he's got to give, as we spoke about earlier.
06:30A decent contest, this.
06:32Just a little bit more control about Abdullah's work at the moment.
06:35Yes, there is.
06:36He's just a slower sort of tempo and rhythm to Stewart.
06:40I think he's fairly dangerous when he's up close.
06:44But he's got to be careful.
06:47I think he's fairly dangerous when he's up close.
06:50But Abdullah's just got that edge in terms of the speed, speed of foot.
06:56His downside occasionally is, as he's coming forward, he's got a very low lead hand and he could walk on to a shot.
07:02And Stewart's got to target that with that right hand.
07:05But certainly the quicker feet and quicker hand speed is certainly with Abdullah at this stage.
07:10Early stages, Abdullah looking sharper.
07:13Beating the Scotsman to the punch more often than not.
07:27Final few seconds here of the second round.
07:30A round that's been pretty decent from an Abdullah perspective.
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08:14Come back here.
08:16Come on, come on.
08:17Come on, come on.
08:20Yeah, I'm looking in this area.
08:22Stand here.
08:23Stand in the shade.
08:25Let's go, John.
08:26Let's go, John.
08:29It's the ball of British and Commonwealth welterweight champion Kevin Anderson in George Stewart's corner.
08:36Statistically speaking, the punch stats that we've got, they're all pretty much even across the board.
08:41Margins are so fine on nights like this, so often.
08:44Yes, it's fairly even.
08:46I think Abdullah certainly, I thought, won that second round.
08:50I thought he caught his opponent with some eye-catching shots.
08:55Just quicker off the mark, isn't he?
08:57The first round, I thought, was very close indeed.
09:04Just a word on Nathaniel Collins who gave up this title.
09:07He's had bowel surgery, but he's on the mend and hoping to fight for the European title sometime next year, which is great news.
09:13Yeah, fantastic.
09:14To hear.
09:15Best wishes to him, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
09:20Quality fighter, Nathaniel Collins.
09:22Nice sharp shot there from Abdullah, which just snapped the head of Stewart back.
09:27Is there a little cut or above the right eye maybe of George Stewart?
09:41Let's have a look.
09:42Lovely right hand from Abdullah.
09:44Landed the shot, then moved away.
09:48He's certainly started off with a bit more snap in his work and a bit more sharpness about him.
09:54Yeah, there's a little graze or something around the right eye.
09:58There is, yeah.
09:59Above the right of George Stewart.
10:02It's just a nick at this stage, but it's certainly worth keeping an eye on, isn't it?
10:05Yeah, let's go and watch that.
10:06And like I say, I think Abdullah again should target that left hook.
10:10And the right hand of Stewart keeps drifting down.
10:13And for me, Stewart's got to try and draw Abdullah into a toe-to-toe battle.
10:18His feet are fairly slow, and he's just allowing Abdullah to move in and out with the feet.
10:24And I think he's got to maybe go for a little bit more head movement like that
10:29and just put a bit more pressure and drag Abdullah into a toe-to-toe battle maybe.
10:34Yeah, he needs to be a bit more relentless, doesn't he, Stewart?
10:36A bit more volume about him.
10:41At the moment, this is probably the fight that Abdullah wants to be involved in.
10:48Stewart's hoping to become the seventh Scotsman to win this title.
11:07Abdullah just slowing his feet down a little bit,
11:09and that's just brought Stewart into the contest a little bit more this last half a minute or so.
11:14Abdullah, when he's moving those feet in and out,
11:16he's certainly a more difficult opponent to catch.
11:19And that's what he's got to revert to doing a little bit more of.
11:22But when Stewart gets him to slow the feet down, Stewart's right back in it.
11:38Let's have a look at this damage to the eye of George Stewart.
11:43There it is. And we think it might well be a clash of heads.
11:47There it is. It's definitely a cut.
11:50This is where we think it happened, Rich.
11:52Yeah, right there.
11:54I mean, it's unintentional.
11:57As they're coming forward, let's have a look here.
11:59I mean, you know, he's gone for a left hook to the body, Abdullah.
12:02He's come up with the head. It's unintentional.
12:04It's just an accidental clash of heads.
12:06Lovely work there from Abdullah on the outside.
12:10I thought towards the end of the round, I thought Stewart did a lot better.
12:32So that's the way that Richie has it to this point.
12:35Even first round, Abdullah, the second round.
12:37And then just based on the fact that Richie made the observation
12:40that Abdullah just slowed down a little bit in the third,
12:43he gave that as a 10-9 to George Stewart.
12:46And I suppose when you are relatively inexperienced as a professional,
12:50only 22, seven fights,
12:52he's also now got to deal with the psychological impact
12:55that the cut will have on a big night for him.
12:57Yeah, absolutely.
12:58Yeah, I think he just got himself back into the contest
13:01in that last minute or so, especially in that last round.
13:04And finished the round better.
13:06For me, he nicked the round, did Stewart.
13:09But Abdullah has got to get back to that in-and-out work.
13:12He's certainly doing better at long range, mid-to-long range.
13:18One observation, Richie, would be
13:20that even when Abdullah's applying the pressure,
13:23he still doesn't go backwards, Stewart, does he?
13:25No.
13:26Well, he's definitely a come-forward sort of style boxer,
13:30is George Stewart.
13:33With that style, though, you probably need a little bit more head movement.
13:37He's got a nice rhythm to his work,
13:39but that's a lovely shot there from Abdullah.
13:41Quick off the mark.
13:45And Stewart again.
13:46He's got a nice rhythm to his boxing,
13:48but it's definitely at a slower pace, slower tempo.
13:51And now that cut's just opening up a little bit.
13:54Yeah, the blood has started to smear
13:56around that right eye of George Stewart.
14:00Certainly a very inviting target for Masoud Abdullah.
14:13Good atmosphere inside York Hall for a pretty even fight to this point.
14:30Oh, that was a good right hand.
14:32Really good.
14:33First concern for Stewart,
14:35the first opportunity to really try and move through the gears for Abdullah.
14:40Best punch he's thrown in the fight so far.
14:42Yeah, quick off the mark with it, wasn't he, that shot?
14:46Caught him flush.
14:49Oh, and again, good one-two there from Abdullah went in.
14:54Slight trickle of blood on the left, above the left eye.
14:57Slight trickle of blood on the left, above the left eye of Abdullah also.
15:01I don't know whether that's from his opponent or a little nick.
15:06Also from him.
15:09Looking to rip that right hand in, Abdullah.
15:14Final few seconds of the fourth round.
15:16It's been a decent round for Masoud Abdullah.
15:18This is a fight at the moment that's ebbing and flowing.
15:28Long right hand right at the end of the round from Abdullah.
15:34And that's just a slip.
15:57Billy Cheese stack.
16:27It was a good shot, wasn't it? It was right on the break, wasn't it?
16:30They seem to break away.
16:32Just catches him flush with a good right hand.
16:35It's not easy getting the prep done for Stewart in Inverness.
16:38He's one of four professional boxers in that part of the world.
16:41And he sometimes has to make a 200-mile trip for sparring.
16:46I mean, that's dedication.
16:48Spends as much time in the car as he does in the ring.
16:50Yeah, absolutely.
16:51Especially every fighter will tell you how important sparring is.
16:55You've got to have the sparring.
16:56Running and sparring are probably the two most important areas of your training program.
17:01Good pressure from Abdullah.
17:02Good accurate punches.
17:03The sweat was cascading off ahead of George Stewart.
17:12A couple of signs from Abdullah.
17:13That left duck starting to pay dividends now.
17:17We identified the clash of heads that did the damage to George Stewart.
17:21That little nick that Abdullah has, he's from a punch.
17:24That was confirmed between rounds.
17:37I think Stewart's got to concentrate on meeting Abdullah as he's coming forward.
17:44Especially with the right hand.
17:45Abdullah, the way he's coming forward, his lead hand's a little bit low.
17:50So that's what Stewart's got to do.
17:53And Abdullah, certainly that fast feet in and out.
17:57Got to protect maybe that nick as well above his left eye.
18:00So just got to watch his movement patterns.
18:02If he keeps moving round to his left, he's going to walk onto that right hand.
18:06So he's got to be careful a little bit also.
18:08But he just seems to be just a touch quicker off the mark, Fletch does Abdullah.
18:13I also wonder, Ritchie, whether Stewart's got the power to discourage him.
18:18Seems to be plowing forward, Abdullah.
18:20He does land shots, Stewart.
18:21They don't seem to be making too much of an impact.
18:23He's only got the one knockout, I remember, in his seven victories.
18:28And I think as the contest is going on, the way Abdullah is coming forward,
18:33he's obviously felt the power of his opponent.
18:36And feels that he can take maybe a shot as he's coming.
18:39So he's prepared to take one now, to land one.
18:42And that's why he's coming forward the way he is, Abdullah, maybe.
18:45Stewart going backwards a little bit more than he was earlier in the contest.
18:49Less than a minute to go in the fifth.
18:52At the moment, you'd say that Abdullah's got a bit of control of things in there.
19:03Good right hand from Stewart, but it just bounced off Abdullah's chin.
19:06Yeah, it did indeed.
19:08He threw it at the right time, though.
19:09He threw it as Abdullah's actually trying to land a shot himself.
19:13So he's met him head on there.
19:15And that's what he's got to concentrate on doing.
19:18But Abdullah seems to have an advantage with that little bit of speed in his movement, in his punch.
19:24There you go, there's an example of it there.
19:27The perfect illustration, really nice right hand from Abdullah.
19:35And there's the bell.
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19:54Including 100 grand in cash.
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20:14Welcome back to your call.
20:16And that's the way that Richie has it.
20:18Just a little gap now for Masoud Abdullah, having been given the fall for the fifth.
20:26Which I don't think too many people would argue with.
20:28It just kind of feels like he needs something in this next round, Stuart.
20:31Just to get him rolling again.
20:33He needs a good round, Stuart.
20:35He needs to get himself back into it.
20:36He's just let it drift the last couple.
20:39I think the early rounds were a little bit more even, Stephen.
20:42But now, certainly, Abdullah seems to have that confidence as well in his work.
20:48He's relying on his speed.
20:49He feels that he's faster than his opponents.
20:52Like I've said, I think he knows that he can take a shot from his opponent also.
20:56I don't think he's respecting the power of Stuart at all.
20:59I think he feels he can just walk through it.
21:01And the confidence to stand there and throw his own shots is growing for Masoud Abdullah.
21:07But that can be a dangerous gamble, Flex, that can.
21:10If you totally disregard your opponent's power.
21:13Especially if you're going forward.
21:15Remember, if you get caught clean with a shot and you're walking forward,
21:19your own weight doubles up the power of your opponent's punch as you're moving forward.
21:25So it's direction and movement, obviously, that doubles up the weight of the shot.
21:31Body shot from Abdullah.
21:33Just a word on the work that the Stuart corner are doing.
21:35It looks like they've got that cut under control.
21:38It hasn't seemed to have worsened.
21:39In fact, it's hardly noticeable right now.
21:42So they've really got to grips with that between rounds.
21:46Heads close together again.
21:50I actually think that probably Stuart will have more of a chance to land shots on the inside now, Flex.
21:58Because again, Abdullah's holding his feet a little bit more.
22:01Abdullah, for me, does much better when he starts from the outside.
22:04He's in and out with the feet.
22:05He's quick off the mark.
22:07And there's a bit of a gap between himself and his opponent.
22:10Now Stuart's right in it.
22:12It's a 50-50 on the inside.
22:14And anything can happen.
22:15Clash of heads.
22:16Clash of heads.
22:17You can get a cut, anything.
22:24Both of them standing toe-to-toe.
22:26You can hardly get your hand between them in there most of the time.
22:34Moving towards the halfway point of the contest.
22:37Scheduled for 12, the vacant Commonwealth featherweight title.
22:41The belt vacated by Nathaniel Collins.
22:43Good right hand from Abdullah.
22:47Look out!
22:50It's those eye-catching shots and that sharper work that's just catching everybody's eye in here from Abdullah.
22:55Just speed of punch, isn't it, from Abdullah.
22:57Most certainly, I think the industry and volume.
23:00Definitely, yes, with Stuart when he's in close quarters.
23:04Landing a couple of good shots himself.
23:06But it's just that zip.
23:07Now, see, look at that for a shot on the inside.
23:09That's a decent punch there from Stuart.
23:11But overall, I think Abdullah's just speed of punch.
23:15He's probably the difference.
23:36So there's the bell.
23:40So let's have a look inside Sam Nogue's dressing room.
23:43He's defending his European lightweight title tonight against the Italian Gianluca Sceglia.
23:50He's also the British and Commonwealth champion.
23:52But those belts not on the line tonight.
23:5514-0, 13 stoppages.
23:58Went the distance with Ivan Mendy in his last fight.
24:00He says that he wants to get back to knocking people out this evening.
24:03And just going through his final bit of padwork in there with his trainer, Alan Smith.
24:07Looks in great condition.
24:10And yeah, he'll want to get back to those knockouts that we're used to seeing him produce.
24:15But in his last contest against Ivan Mendy, I thought it was a good performance for going the distance.
24:31Abdullah certainly had it tough.
24:33He grew up in war-torn Afghanistan.
24:36Left a refugee camp in France in a container lorry to make it to England with his mum, two brothers, an uncle and a cousin.
24:44He's now got a degree in business management.
24:46Dreams of winning a world title in the gym.
24:50He's quite a character.
24:51He's a very determined man, Ritchie, with an intriguing backstory.
24:56Yeah, unbelievable background that he's had.
25:01All credit to him and his family.
25:04And now he's here performing.
25:06And they're performing very well.
25:08Lovely shot there from him.
25:16Able to fight his way off the ropes as well there, Abdullah.
25:20Yeah, a quality uppercut that was, wasn't it, on the inside.
25:24And that's a rare shot from him and produced the goods there.
25:27But this is not bad from Stewart either.
25:29Again, prefers that toe-to-toe battle.
25:33And himself taking a few, but he's landed a couple as well.
25:37He much prefers it when Abdullah's in close quarters with him.
25:41One thing that's worth thinking about, though, is just how gruelling this might be tonight.
25:45It's scheduled for 12, a distance that neither man's been before.
25:49Abdullah's been eight in the past.
25:51Stewart went 10 rounds with a late Andy Tam in May.
25:54in his last fight.
25:55So both of them are going to have to pace themselves.
25:58It's all right now, but neither of them know what it's like
26:01at the business end of this contest if it goes that far.
26:03Yeah, absolutely.
26:04When you haven't been 12 rounds, then it's always in the back of your mind
26:07whether you're actually fit enough to do it.
26:09You can spar as much as you want in the gym,
26:12but it's always in the back of your mind.
26:14When your first 12 round, you get to round eight, round nine, round 10,
26:18have a go on the finger tank.
26:20And then when you get to the 12th round,
26:22and you complete it, you're flying the mountain,
26:24you feel a million dollars.
26:26But yes, it is getting the timing right.
26:29The only good thing here is both boxers are in that situation.
26:33Yeah, just to reiterate,
26:35Abdullah's been eight and Stewart has been 10.
26:39So he's been further the Scotsman.
26:41I'll tell you what, quality work here from Stewart on the inside.
26:44For me, it's the wrong tactic for Abdullah to be standing and trading.
26:48But for Stewart, it's the wrong tactic.
26:50For me, it's the wrong tactic for Abdullah to be standing and trading.
26:52But for Stewart, this is his round up to now.
26:55Some quality work on the inside from George Stewart.
26:58Emphasizes the point you made a couple of rounds ago, Rich,
27:01when they get close like this, it suits the Scotsman.
27:03Absolutely.
27:05You box to your strengths, and what Stewart's done here
27:08is dragged Abdullah into that toe-to-toe battle.
27:11And he's having the better of it in this round, most certainly.
27:13The kind of round he needed based on your scoring,
27:15which is unofficial, of course.
27:18Abdullah with his back in that corner.
27:22His corner.
27:25And Stewart looking to keep the pressure on,
27:27keep throwing those shots, letting his hands go.
27:31Excellent action between the pair of them right at the end of this round.
27:35And there's the bell.
27:36And both of them worked so hard in there.
27:48So better work from Stewart in this round.
27:52Look at him there working the body.
27:54He just gets caught with the shot there.
27:56But nevertheless, it's persistent and it's sustained pressure
27:59from young George Stewart.
28:01He keeps the attacks going.
28:03Abdullah holding his feet.
28:05And that brings Stewart right into it.
28:08Abdullah actually fancies his chances on the inside,
28:10but it's just that you're boxing to your opponent's strengths, basically.
28:14And I think George Stewart had a real decent round there.
28:18I'm expecting Abdullah to get back on the outside.
28:30That's how Richie's got it.
28:31Three in a row for Masoud Abdullah,
28:33but that's going to feel good for George Stewart,
28:36the round that he's just had.
28:37Maybe one in his favour.
28:39Unofficial, of course.
28:40Judges, Bob Williams, Lee Everett and Mark Bates.
28:45Into the eighth.
28:48After this, it's going to be new territory for Masoud Abdullah.
28:51Yeah, absolutely.
28:53He's got to get back to that hit and move style for me.
28:57But like you spoke about earlier,
28:59that might be in the back of his mind if he keeps hitting and moving.
29:01You might feel whether he'll have enough in the tank.
29:04I don't know.
29:06But certainly he does his better work at mid and long range.
29:09No question.
29:10I think the interesting thing here is whether Stewart can follow up
29:12a strong seventh round with a decent eighth round
29:15and really start to get some momentum.
29:17Yeah, exactly.
29:21Fairly flat-footed, isn't he, Stewart?
29:23But when the opponent stands in front of him,
29:26he's fairly decent and he's effective on the inside.
29:39I would just say, Richie, that right now,
29:52those sharp punches from Abdullah don't seem quite as sharp
29:55as they were in the early rounds,
29:57whether he's slowing down and feeding the pace.
29:59And if that does happen,
30:01then this fight's going to come back to George Stewart.
30:03Yeah, and in the 12-round contest,
30:05that's what can happen to you, Fletch.
30:07If you get all the way through the contest,
30:09then you can naturally just slow down a little bit
30:12and then you have to rely on your fitness and get that second wind
30:14and then you kick on again.
30:16So it's all experience for both of them
30:18and they'll be going through that now.
30:20And maybe we're seeing that with Abdullah.
30:22Just the zipper's gone out of his work a little bit.
30:25But I wouldn't be surprised if he does come back at some stage.
30:29But at the moment, I think Stewart's boxing fairly well.
30:32The pace seems to be suiting him a little bit better.
30:36Both of them throwing a high volume of punches in there.
30:43The pressure now being forced on Abdullah
30:47by the 22-year-old from Inverness.
30:49Only his eighth fight, fighting for the Commonwealth title.
30:52In experience, both of them are.
30:58And after this, there are going to be four big rounds
31:01in a fight that's close.
31:04Good shot from Abdullah, just snapped the head of Stewart back
31:07but no damage really done.
31:16That was a decent shot downstairs from Abdullah, that left hook.
31:21There's a slight pause in the movement after that
31:24from George Stewart.
31:26So he fell that one.
31:34BELL RINGS
31:36A shot right on the belt from Masoud Abdullah.
31:39Let's have a listen in to what Steve Broughton's got to say in his corner.
31:46I'm better. You took control again, OK?
31:49And you didn't do anything too fucking hectic.
31:52He wants to walk back onto you now, that's fine.
31:55You're seeing everything, just nice and relaxed.
31:58That was more like the first couple of rounds.
32:00All you need to do, when you're inside, drop it down low.
32:03Here, here. Just basically, OK?
32:05I don't need anything more than, like, max three shots.
32:08All right? How do you feel?
32:10I feel good. I feel good, exactly.
32:13You're still in control.
32:15If anything, you've lost a single round.
32:17And that was the last one, the one before.
32:20Keep that control, all right?
32:22Listen, I told you, he's tough.
32:24Take a shot. Don't try and take an iron single shot.
32:27He's been nailing it with the singles and the triples.
32:31Confident words from Steve Broughton.
32:34I've got to say that Stevie Maguire is handling the George Stewart cut
32:39in the other corner. He's done a magnificent job.
32:42He has indeed, yeah. He's stemmed the flow, hasn't he?
32:46Because he got that cut fairly early on in the contest fledge, so yeah.
32:50So Masoud Abdullah-Rich is now into uncharted waters,
32:54in the ninth round for the first time in his professional career.
32:57And he's caught Stewart with some solid shots here to start the round.
33:01Yeah, he started the round really well.
33:03And we spoke about the left hook right early in the contest,
33:06and he's landed a couple of crackers in this round.
33:09That left hand of his.
33:12Steve Broughton saying between rounds that he thinks he's only lost one.
33:15He thinks he's got control.
33:19Maybe there's just going to be a desire to try and up the pace again
33:22with Abdullah in the ninth, having had a couple of quieter rounds,
33:25which might just have allowed Stewart to get a bit more of a foothold in the contest.
33:30Well, we spoke about how the zip had gone out of his punches
33:33and that it might come back.
33:34And that's exactly what's happened at the start of this round, Fletch.
33:37His punches seem to be a little bit quicker.
33:39He's had a little bit of a breather.
33:41And now he's catching him with the eye-catching shot.
33:43There's that left hook we've spoke about, Fletch.
33:45A decent shot from Abdullah.
33:47All of this action right above our commentary position.
33:50Two extremely fit men.
33:51The work rate of both of them has been extremely high right from the opening bell.
34:01Three to go after this one.
34:02Scheduled for 12, fighting for the vacant Commonwealth featherweight title.
34:07Remember the likes of Lee Wood, Josh Warrington, Scott Harrison, Azuma Nelson
34:11have all been the Commonwealth featherweight champion in days gone by.
34:16It's a massive opportunity for both of them.
34:20Indeed.
34:23Some of the boxers you mentioned there.
34:25I mean, Azuma Nelson, what a legend.
34:30Remember, knocking Pat Caldwell out with one of the best punches I think I've ever seen.
34:34Yeah.
34:35Azuma Nelson.
34:37Less than a minute to go in the ninth.
34:41A little bit of damage around the nose of George Stewart now.
34:44That's where the blood's coming from.
34:47Fair play to George Stewart.
34:49He's as brave as they come.
34:50Just gets caught with a good left hook to the body there.
34:52And again, the body language from him.
34:54You just see him just wilt a little bit.
34:57That's a good body shot.
34:58A little bit of distress, isn't it, for Stewart for the first time tonight.
35:01Maybe the Abdullah pressure.
35:03The Abdullah punch power is just starting to make its mark.
35:0630 seconds to go in the ninth.
35:08But the Scotsman digs in and fires back himself.
35:11Of course he does.
35:13Determined to take this title back north of the border.
35:16He's got true Scottish grit, this lad.
35:20Hard as nails.
35:22Getting caught with better shots though.
35:24And again there, Abdullah lands well.
35:26Just starting to wilt a little bit, Stewart.
35:29He'd like to hear the bell.
35:30I think he needs the minute to recover.
35:32This has been a really good round for Abdullah.
35:35And he really had to dig deep and take some deep breaths
35:38and dig his toes into the canvas there.
35:40To withstand the Abdullah onslaught, Richie.
35:42Yes, that was tremendous stuff, wasn't it?
35:45Hard round for this guy on the receiving end.
35:52So some excellent work from Abdullah in this round.
35:55Fair play to George Stewart.
35:56Keeps coming forward.
35:57But he's walking on to a lot of shots here.
35:59Again, the speed seemed to return.
36:01There's that left hook to the body.
36:03And as you see, he just grimaced slightly there.
36:08George Stewart and Abdullah landed some big punches.
36:12The speed seemed to return.
36:14And the quality was there for him.
36:15A good round.
36:19Get more.
36:20Get more.
36:21Get the jab on him.
36:23Come on, sir.
36:24Right hand.
36:25Right in the middle.
36:26Right?
36:27Come on.
36:28Come on.
36:32That's how Richie's got it.
36:33He's given Abdullah the lead.
36:35That's how Richie's got it.
36:36He's given Abdullah the last two.
36:38So he's got a four-point cushion unofficially on Richie's card.
36:41This feels like a big round for Stewart.
36:44Yes, this is a massive round now.
36:46Abdullah seems to have the momentum.
36:48He's probably going to go for it.
36:51Stewart has got to somehow weather the storm.
36:54And try and get through it.
36:56And try and catch Abdullah as he's coming forward.
36:58He's not out of it by no means, Stewart.
37:00But that last round did take a lot out of him.
37:03Showing distress with those body shots.
37:05And Abdullah, you just sense that he knows that.
37:08And he's going for it.
37:09Body language indicates that survival is in the mind of Stewart at the moment.
37:14While he just works out how much is left in the tank.
37:17Three to go.
37:21Relentless pace has been fought throughout.
37:24The age gap between them is fascinating.
37:26Here's Stewart at 22 fighting for a Commonwealth title.
37:29Abdullah didn't have his first amateur fight until he was 23.
37:32Unbelievable.
37:33And he was 27 when he turned professional.
37:35So there's no method.
37:39It's what suits.
37:41Abdullah continues to pile on the pressure.
37:45Well, there's a couple of quality shots being landed here from Abdullah.
37:49There was a right uppercut earlier that really just missed the target.
37:52Just skimmed it, if anything.
37:53But then he switches the attack and he's starting to go downstairs.
37:56He smells the victory now, Abdullah.
37:58Especially with these body shots.
38:00The left hook to the body especially.
38:02So it's tough times here for Stewart.
38:04Got to really show his mettle here.
38:06This young Scotsman, can he get through this?
38:09There's another one.
38:10Right into the solar plexus.
38:12That was perfect from Abdullah.
38:14Stewart needs all of his grit and determination.
38:17All his conditioning.
38:18All of the road work.
38:19All of the preparation work that he's done for tonight.
38:22To drag him through this grueling contest.
38:26Here's a good shot from Stewart.
38:28Spray cascaded off the face of Abdullah.
38:30But he walked straight through it.
38:31He's the confident man in there.
38:33His body language is, I'm going to win this fight.
38:35That's the way he looks right now.
38:37And Stewart's got to do something to change it, Rich.
38:39Yeah, well there was an example of his confidence in taking his opponent's shot.
38:43Stewart actually caught him with a big punch.
38:45And again, Abdullah is moving in here, Fletch.
38:49Stewart towards his own corner.
38:51Being roared on by his team.
38:53Abdullah continues to land with good shots.
38:57He's tired now, Stewart.
38:59He's hanging on in there.
39:01Abdullah raising the tempo.
39:03He can sense a victory.
39:05He feels the Commonwealth title might not be too far away.
39:08Less than 30 seconds to go in the tenth.
39:11And he's gradually breaking the Scotsman down, Abdullah.
39:14He is, but he's still dangerous, Fletch.
39:16Stewart, fair play to him.
39:17He's took some big shots there.
39:19But lands the odd...
39:20Occasionally, he comes back with something himself.
39:23That catches Abdullah.
39:24Abdullah, remember, is still very open.
39:26His hands are very low.
39:28And Stewart's just staying in there.
39:31Occasionally produces a single shot.
39:33Cracking round.
39:35Excellent rounds.
39:36Both of them giving absolutely everything.
39:56You all right?
39:58You need to watch him in the waist.
40:03You see him?
40:04You're okay.
40:07Don't worry.
40:08Lift up.
40:09Stand tall, don't worry.
40:10All right?
40:11Move back.
40:12See him in your room?
40:13Smash him in there.
40:15Jab and get close.
40:18Hands, knees.
40:20You all right?
40:21Want me to give it?
40:23Come here.
40:24You all right?
40:25Come on, Nick.
40:26Get the hand up.
40:27Don't try to throw the hoops with your hands here.
40:30Get them up.
40:31Four times in the minute,
40:33Kevin Anderson asked George Stewart if he was okay.
40:36And a couple of times,
40:37he asked him if he wanted to carry on.
40:39Yeah, and he looked a little bit...
40:42I don't know whether he really wanted to there, Fletch.
40:44He didn't give any real good indication, did he?
40:46But fair play to him.
40:47What a brave, brave kid.
40:48Because Abdullah's going for it here.
40:50Yeah, he's going for the body.
40:51Catches him on the chin.
40:53Left jab fired back from Stewart.
40:56Two to go.
40:57This is the first time that Stewart's been into the 11th.
40:59This is the furthest he's been as a professional.
41:03But he's well on top now, Masoud Abdullah.
41:06And he needs to find something from somewhere, Stewart,
41:09to change the momentum of this fight.
41:12See, Abdullah now has found that second wind, hasn't he?
41:15That speed has returned.
41:16He's confident.
41:18Stewart.
41:20Fair play to him.
41:21Hard man indeed.
41:23But his punches just seemed a little bit more laboured, Fletch.
41:26A little bit slower.
41:28And Abdullah again.
41:30He's just got the speed elements there.
41:32But fair play to Stewart.
41:35Because that was a tough round again from the previous round, Fletch.
41:38He was really under the cosh there, was George Stewart.
41:47It's those body shots that have taken their toll.
41:50They've been the difference makers for Abdullah.
42:00Halfway through the 11th.
42:02Nothing really coming back from Stewart.
42:04Abdullah tearing off.
42:05He can't miss at the moment.
42:07But he digs deep and finds something.
42:09The Scotsman.
42:12Incredible bravery from him.
42:13Good head movement.
42:16Just the hands are a little bit low.
42:17And he just gets caught with the odd shot.
42:19Although he's moving his head very instinctively.
42:22Side to side.
42:23Bobbing and weaving.
42:24Trying to avoid the shots that are coming across him.
42:26Especially from Abdullah with those hooks.
42:31The class from Abdullah.
42:32The courage in there right now from Stewart.
42:35That's good work there.
42:36Good head movement again from Stewart.
42:41He certainly has those untrainable qualities that you need as a top pro.
42:46Tolerance to pain.
42:49Sheer desire to win.
42:51Jules Stewart has got that in abundance.
43:08Stewart caught as he came in.
43:09The sharp shot from Abdullah.
43:11Final 20 seconds of the 11th.
43:13I mean, Abdullah has to be feeling it too.
43:15I mean, the pace of the fight.
43:17He's got to be tired as well.
43:19Yeah, definitely.
43:20It's probably surprised him a little bit how Jules Stewart has responded here.
43:23Because he's right back in it again.
43:25Fair play to him.
43:26There was a spell early in the round.
43:28Where it looks as though it could be coming to a climax.
43:30But he's dug deep and found something from somewhere.
43:32Deep in those reserves.
43:34It's why they get up at the crack of dawn.
43:36And put the miles in.
43:38Pound the tarmac.
43:39Do it again.
43:41Good work again earlier on in the round.
43:43From Abdullah.
43:45Really going for it here with some good shots.
43:49Towards the end of the round.
43:50And Stewart certainly come back into it.
43:52There was a good left up from him there.
43:54Instinctively just moving.
43:56Bobbing and weaving.
43:57Going side to side.
43:58Trying to slip away.
43:59But he's got it.
44:00He's got it.
44:01He's got it.
44:02He's got it.
44:03He's got it.
44:04He's got it.
44:05He's got it.
44:06He's got it.
44:07He's got it.
44:08He's got it.
44:09Left to side.
44:10Trying to slip the shots.
44:11This is earlier on in the round.
44:15So some good work there from Abdullah early in the round.
44:17But a good finish to the round from Stewart.
44:19It was extremely impressive Rich.
44:21How he dragged himself back into it.
44:23From the situation he was in.
44:25That's the way Rich has got it.
44:28107-103 unofficially.
44:30Didn't just give George Stewart the last round as well.
44:33For the last minute and a half.
44:35But he dug deep.
44:36But if that card's right.
44:37George Stewart needs a stoppage.
44:42Yeah, I think he needs a stoppage flex overall.
44:47Final round.
44:48Commonwealth featherweight title on the line.
44:51Rich has got Abdullah ahead.
44:53Can George Stewart find something from somewhere?
44:56Can't fault his bravery.
44:58The better work though tonight has come from Masoud Abdullah.
45:03And it's those body punches I think in the cold light of day
45:06that might just be the difference.
45:09Just that speed element.
45:10That overall speed from Abdullah.
45:14When he has boxed at range.
45:16And moving in and out with those fast feet.
45:19He's done the better work.
45:20The eye-catching shot has come from Abdullah.
45:22I'd also say as well Rich.
45:23The fact that he's not got natural power.
45:25Means that when he has been landing shots.
45:27They've not really done the kind of damage to Abdullah.
45:30That's been happening the opposite way round.
45:33I think Abdullah got that in his head early on.
45:35In the contest that he could take his opponent's shot.
45:37That's why he's been coming forward a lot with low guard.
45:43It's been a cracking contest.
45:44It really has.
45:46Two men have given absolutely everything in there.
45:48Less than two minutes to go.
45:50Final round.
45:51Abdullah whips in the uppercut.
45:53Damage to the cheek of George Stewart as well.
45:56They dealt with the cut superbly.
45:57He's got damage to the nose.
45:59Damage to the cheek.
46:00He knows he's been in a war in there tonight.
46:05Abdullah's work remains crisper.
46:12Even at this late stage of the contest.
46:14Yes, most certainly.
46:17A little bit better variation as well.
46:20George Stewart instinctively coming forward.
46:22Knows he's got to try and close that gap down.
46:26With that speed of punch.
46:27A move up to the left hand.
46:36Started by a low blow according to Marcus McDonald.
46:39I must say my gaze was taken by the one that landed on the chin.
46:43Absolutely, we missed that one, didn't we?
46:44Most certainly.
46:45Look at the damage to the face of George Stewart.
46:54Abdullah piling forward.
46:55He can sense the finish.
46:57Stewart hanging on.
46:58Wants to hear the final bell.
47:00Abdullah throwing everything.
47:02Stewart can't get out of the way.
47:04Relentlessly piling forward.
47:06Dreaming of the finish.
47:07Cheered on by the crowd inside York Hall.
47:1040 seconds to go.
47:12Big finish from Masoud Abdullah.
47:14But he's digging so deep and being so brave in there, George Stewart.
47:18Yeah, unbelievable stuff now from Abdullah.
47:20The way he's coming forward.
47:21Fletch really going for it.
47:22Going for the stoppage.
47:24George Stewart, he's just boxing literally on instinct.
47:27He's movement.
47:28Trying to get out of the way of shots.
47:29Trying to return fire also.
47:31But the speed again.
47:32He's with Abdullah.
47:35Stewart somehow is still standing.
47:37Stewart's still in there.
47:38Marcus McDonald not that far away.
47:40These punches taking their toll.
47:42He's got nothing left, Stewart.
47:44Final few seconds of this pulsating contest.
47:47Stewart's out on his feet.
47:49But he hears the final bell.
47:53Masoud Abdullah celebrates.
47:56George Stewart was so brave.
47:58How did he cling on in there?
47:59I think the towel went in, Fletch, didn't it?
48:01The towel going right at the end.
48:02I think the towel went in right at the end.
48:04He must have been two or three seconds away from the final bell.
48:08Yeah, fair play to the corner there.
48:10He just threw the towel in right at the end.
48:12I didn't hear the bell at all, Fletch.
48:14It must have been really close to the end of the contest anyway.
48:17But a great sustained pressure and attack there from Abdullah.
48:21But yeah, I think the towel definitely went in at the end.
48:24I think there's a little bit of confusion in the ring.
48:26Let's have a look at it just to clear it up.
48:28I mean, there's nothing left for Stewart right now.
48:31No, unbelievable.
48:33Just trying to move out of the way.
48:36Slipping.
48:37He just gets caught with a couple of shots.
48:39He just looks around.
48:40We'll see from this angle.
48:42The towel definitely comes in.
48:43Let's watch.
48:44There it is, there it is.
48:45Right at the end.
48:46So it will be a stoppage victory for Masoud Abdullah.
48:50It's a shame in many ways that he couldn't hear the final bell
48:53because he'd been so brave.
48:55But the corner have to take a decision.
48:57Yes, of course they do.
48:58But that would have been right.
48:59I mean, there must have only been literally seconds left.
49:01But the fair play to the corner for throwing that towel in when they did.
49:06Let me just confirm.
49:07They didn't accept the towel.
49:09It's going to the judges' cards.
49:10Oh, it's going to the judges, yeah.
49:12Lee Avery is right next to me, having scored the contest.
49:15And he said they didn't accept the towel because it was so late.
49:17It will go to the scorecards.
49:19So the towel did go in.
49:20Yeah.
49:21But it is going to go to the scorecard.
49:22Well, you know what?
49:23I'm really pleased for George Stewart there that he's heard the last bell.
49:26He's won the contest.
49:27But, you know, he's got to the end of it.
49:30And it will go to points.
49:31And he'll be so satisfied in his own mind that he hasn't been stopped there.
49:36I don't think he's won, as I've said.
49:38But fair play to him to get him to the end.
49:49Well, just to tell you, the Premier League's back next Saturday
49:51after the international break.
49:52And our live lunchtime kickoff is between Southampton and Manchester United.
49:56What a big game that is for both of them.
49:58And coverage, as always on a Saturday, starts from 11 o'clock.
50:02And we've got over 185 live games from the UEFA Champions League on TNT Sports.
50:07And Discovery Plus as well this season.
50:09As well as every single match from the Europa and Conference Leagues.
50:15So there was confusion at the end.
50:17The towel came in from the George Stewart corner.
50:20It wasn't accepted by Marcus McDonald.
50:23And we're going to get the judges' scores to give us the official result here.
50:28Bob Williams, Lee Every and Mark Bates are the three men who've scored the contest.
50:34It's nice to be able to clear that up so quickly right at the end, Rich.
50:37Yeah, it is indeed.
50:38But I'm really pleased for Stewart to be called on this
50:40because he deserved to get to the end of that.
50:42What a cracking contest that was.
50:44I think Abdul has won it.
50:45But fair play to Stewart.
50:46He's got the heart of a lion, that lad.
50:49OK, then, let's get the official result.
50:52Dev Sarni.
50:54Ladies and gentlemen, let's get a round of applause
50:57for two fighters who gave their all here tonight on your court.
51:04After 12 rounds of boxing, we go to the judges' scorecards.
51:11Bob Williams, Lee Every and Mark Bates all score the contest
51:16118-110
51:19to your winner by unanimous decision
51:22and he is now the Commonwealth featherweight champion
51:27Masoud Supermass Abdullah.
51:35So the journey for Masoud Abdullah is complete.
51:39The heartache and the pain, the battle, the toil to get to this country.
51:44And he's now the Commonwealth featherweight champion.
51:47The biggest night of his boxing life.
51:49118-110 on all three rounds.