Masood Abdulah vs George Stewart Predictions: Unbeaten title battle beckons

Masood Abdulah takes on George Stewart this Friday, September 6, for the vacant Commonwealth featherweight title. The championship bout takes place at the iconic York Hall in Bethnal Green. Abdulah-Stewart will serve as chief support for Sam Noakes’ European lightweight title defence against Gianliuca Ceglia. TNT Sports will screen the card live.

Here are my Abdulah vs Stewart predictions ahead of this title match-up.

Both men are unbeaten coming into this one, with a Commonwealth title representing the most prestigious professional honour either has fought for. Abdulah is a former Commonwealth silver featherweight champion, a stepping stone belt to the one he fights for here. Stewart has racked up seven victories, scooping the Scottish Area and Celtic titles along the way.

While Stewart leads the way in hardware, he is the underdog here. Abdulah brings the pedigree of a National Amateur Championship with him, secured at lightweight. The Islington man turned over at super featherweight, but has boxed mostly as a featherweight.

After cutting a swathe through the usual suspects, including gatekeeper supreme Darwing Martinez, Abdulah has moved up in class recently. Last October, Abdulah became the first man to stop former British super bantamweight champion Marc Leach. The 30-year-old finished his experienced foe in seven rounds.

Abdulah followed that big victory with a fifth-round stoppage of 2016 Olympian Qais Ashfaq. This was a huge statement win, especially considering the fact Ashfaq had just dropped a narrow split decision to Liam Dillon in a British super featherweight title fight. Abdulah comes into the Stewart fight off the back of impressive stoppages in the two biggest bouts of his career so far. 

Stewart does not have the level of names on his record that Abdulah can boast. But you can only beat what is put in front of you, as the age-old adage goes. Stewart has done that every time, earning a deserved shot at the Commonwealth crown.

In terms of stand-out wins, like Abdulah, it is Stewart’s last two fights that fare best. Charlie Doig and Andy Tham are not on the level of Leach or Ashfaq. But the pair only had one loss between them before Stewart dealt with them in back-to-back regional championship bouts.

Stewart is light on power, however. His only stoppage came seven rounds into the Doig fight, when Charlie pulled out due to a cut. If Stewart is to upset Masood, one assumes he will have to go the entire 12-round distance to do it. This is the first contest in either man’s career to be scheduled for that length.

Abdulah vs Stewart Fight Odds

Abdulah is a runaway 1/16 favourite to prevail in this match-up. Stewart is 7/1 to extend his record to 8-0. A draw between these men is available to back at 16/1.

Abdulah vs Stewart Full Card

Sam Noakes vs. Gianluca Ceglia for European lightweight title 

Masood Abdulah vs. George Stewart for Commonwealth featherweight title 

Steve Cairns vs. Ezequiel Gregores; Super-lightweight 

Luke McCormack vs. Petr Brodsky; Super-lightweight 

Joshua Frankham vs. TBA; Middleweight 

Charlie Hickford vs. Darwing Martinez; Featherweight 

Christian Bozzia vs. Joshua Ocampo; Super-featherweight

Abdulah vs Stewart Prediction

Abdulah is on a hot streak, having just knocked out the two best fighters he has ever faced as a professional. I think he will continue that run of form here. But an Abdulah finish is only 2/7, so we can do a little better for our prediction.

I like this as a slightly longer fight than Abdulah’s recent efforts. Stewart has obviously never been stopped as he has never lost. This is a fighter accustomed to victory. I think he will take Abdulah into the later rounds before succumbing. 

My pick is Abdulah to win by knockout in the ninth round at odds of 12/1. I think Stewart will prove a tougher nut to crack than Leach and Ashfaq. But ultimately, the title will come home with the favourite.

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