Floyd Masson Comes Back to Win the Column, Stops Joshua Francis in the 4th Round

After a year-long absence, cruiserweight Floyd Masson is back in the winner’s circle.

The cruiserweight hopeful got Joshua Francis stopped in the fourth round. Masson forced referee Phil Austin to step in at 1:25 of the fourth round on Saturday evening at the Mansfield Tavern in his hometown of Brisbane, Australia.

The fight was the first since last September for Masson (14-1, 8 knockouts). The New Zealand-born southpaw had not fought since a sixth-round submission loss to Belgian slugger Yves Ngabu (23-2, 17 KOs), his only career loss.

There is no evidence of ring corrosion. Masson, 32, boxed safely and looked sharp in the opening round before opening the throttle. Francis pressed the action, but it was Masson who fired a clean, sharp shot.

Francis from Auckland, 29, was able to do a good job on his body and head in the second heat. Masson weathered the storm, timing his opponent’s runs with smart counters and firing devastating body shots of his own. Towards the end of the round, Masson appeared to be hurting Francis.

Masson came on strong in the third. He threw Francis into the ropes with his superior strength and body blasted him. The pressure from Masson continued and a left ball shook Francis with one minute left in the game.

A right hook from Masson stunned Francis with 30 seconds left on the clock. A series of short bullets to the body and head seriously injured Francis, he tried to fight back but failed.

“It’s starting to be one-sided. You want to change things, you have to compete more,” said the referee between rounds.

Francis understood the message, but he simply rebelled.

Pushing forward to start the fourth, Francis agreed to move inside in hopes of breaking through Masson’s strong defense. Masson kept taking half steps back to give himself space to hit and he landed a short shot at mid-range.

At the one-minute mark, referee Austin took a good look at Francis, who was on the wrong end of a one-sided blow.

It didn’t last long.

Masson threw Francis again, sending him into another low shot, and referee Austin stepped in to stop the contest at the 1:25 mark.

“It was amazing to be back in the ring, doing what I love. I just enjoyed it right there,” said Masson. “I said it was going to be a battle clinic and even though I was being shot at, I was counting my shots.

“Joshua is a tough guy and he came to fight hard. I know he does a lot of work and sacrifices, flying to Australia, doing full rounds here. That takes him away from his family, so all credit to Josh. I know how he feels, so my hat’s off to him.”

Masson, who was coming off elbow surgery to fix ongoing problems with bones in his arm, reaffirmed his desire to win a world title.

“I wouldn’t have entered this game if I didn’t want to climb to the top,” he said. “That is my only goal, and I will get there.”

Australian-based boxing journalist Anthony Cocks has been covering the sport for over 20 years for various publications and online publications. Follow him to X.