Brad Strand vs. Ionut Baluta: A Super Bantamweight Matchup That Split Opinions

On March 15, 2025, the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, hosted a super bantamweight fight that sparked discussion among boxing fans and commentators alike. Brad Strand, a young British contender with a record of 12-1 (4 KOs), fought the seasoned Romanian upset artist Ionut Baluta, who entered the ring with a record of 16-5-1 (3 KOs). Billed as a fight for the WBO European super bantamweight championship, this 10-round battle on the Queensberry Promotions card—televised live on TNT Sports—was a gritty, polarising encounter that finished in a split decision victory for Baluta, leaving the boxing world humming with speculation.

Brad Strand, a 26-year-old Liverpool native and former ABA Elite champion, entered the ring carrying the weight of his hometown crowd’s expectations. Strand, who trains at the Everton Red Triangle gym with local talents Nick Ball and Andrew Cain, has recovered from his first professional setback—a unanimous decision loss to Dennis McCann in March 2024—with newfound concentration. His disciplined approach, with by crisp punches and controlled movement, had given him the reputation as a technician with untapped ability. Facing Baluta was a calculated gamble, an opportunity to demonstrate his ability to manage a tough, unconventional opponent in front of his devoted fans.

Ionut Baluta, on the other hand, presented a different tale. At 31, the Romanian boxer had established a career as a spoiler, flourishing in unfriendly territory. Baluta had a tendency for overcoming the odds, as seen by victories over TJ Doheny, David Oliver Joyce, and Brad Foster on the road. His recent results were mixed: a technical tie against McCann in 2023, a defeat to the same fighter in their July 2024 rematch, and a surprising split decision victory over Andrew Cain in March 2023, in which he down Cain in the tenth round. Baluta was known for his unrelenting pressure and high-volume punching, and his style was chaotic yet effective, frequently overpowering opponents who couldn’t keep up with him.

The stakes were tremendous. A win would solidify Strand’s position as a viable contender in the difficult 122-pound class. For Baluta, it was another chance to play the villain, quieting a partisan audience and adding a regional championship to his CV.

The conflict began as a collision of ideologies. Strand, the taller and more rangy fighter, attempted to gain control with his jab, utilising his footwork to keep Baluta at away. The Romanian, true to habit, came forward with reckless abandon, throwing hooks in bunches and attempting to lure Strand into a fight. The opening round established the tone: Strand’s clean punches met Baluta’s wild flurry, resulting in a clinch-heavy stalemate that foreshadowed the gritty war to come.

In the second and third rounds, Baluta’s pressure increased. He blocked Strand’s attempts to box from the outside, hitting a good right hand in the second and a body blow in the third that elicited roars from the audience. Strand, on the other hand, maintained his composure, replying with fast combinations whenever Baluta overcommitted. The Liverpool player’s discipline shined through as he refused to be drawn into a slugfest, yet his repeated clinching irritated Baluta—and some fans.

The middle rounds included the fight’s most contentious phase. In the fourth round, both fighters’ feet intertwined, knocking Baluta to the mat. Despite Strand’s pleas that it was a slip, the referee deemed it a knockdown and issued him a standing count. The call energised Baluta, who increased his attack, while Strand tightened his defence, hitting a crisp right cross that temporarily slowed the tide. Social media exploded, with supporters divided—some praised Strand’s control, while others believed Baluta’s work rate was being underestimated.

By the sixth, tiredness had set in. Baluta’s precision deteriorated, and his punches missed more than they connected, but his consistent volume kept the pressure on. Strand stuck to his game plan, peppering Baluta with punches and scoring with an intercepted pass early in the eighth, eliciting a clinch from the Romanian. The ninth round was a microcosm of the fight, with Baluta swinging with malicious intentions, Strand reacting and locking up, and the referee continually pulling them apart.

The tenth round was a frantic effort by both men. Baluta lunged forward, landing a good uppercut to the body, but Strand’s jab and a late right cross kept him at bay. As the last bell sounded, the crowd applauded a valiant attempt, but the conclusion remained uncertain.

The judges’ scores reflected the fight’s closeness—and controversy. Two judges scored it for Baluta 97-93 and 98-91, while the third scored it for Strand 96-94, giving Baluta the split decision victory and the WBO European championship. The announcement drew a mix of boos and applause from the Liverpool faithful, while online reactions mirrored the split.

Critics of the decision stated that Strand’s accuracy and ring generalship deserved recognition. “Strand fought beautifully, controlled the distance and pace, and took Baluta right out of his fight,” one spectator said on X. Others felt the knockdown call was a mistake that skewed perceptions, with a fan lamenting, “Strand overwhelmingly beat Baluta—another scoring travesty.” The clinching, however, harmed Strand’s argument; his aggressive methods may have alienated judges who value action above creativity.

Baluta’s supporters countered that his aggression and volume carried the day. “He threw a lot more, landed more, dictated a pace Strand was uncomfortable with,” a user on X pointed out. His style—while messy—often sways scorecards, as his constant pressure creates a narrative of dominance, even if many shots miss their mark.

In the aftermath, Strand’s camp expressed disappointment but vowed to regroup. The loss drops him to 12-2, a setback that tests his resilience after his first defeat a year prior. A rematch with Baluta isn’t out of the question, given the fight’s competitiveness and the lingering controversy over the scoring. Alternatively, Strand could target other domestic foes to rebuild momentum, with his gymmates’ success on the same card—Nick Ball’s TKO of TJ Doheny and Andrew Cain’s win over Charlie Edwards—serving as inspiration.

For Baluta, now 17-5-1, the victory reinforces his reputation as a road warrior. The WBO European title opens doors to bigger fights, potentially a third crack at McCann or a showdown with another ranked contender. At 31, his window to climb the world rankings is narrowing, but his knack for upsets keeps him relevant.

Strand vs. Baluta wasn’t a classic in the traditional sense—no highlight-reel knockouts or dramatic comebacks—but it encapsulated boxing’s subjective beauty. Was it Strand’s controlled boxing or Baluta’s relentless aggression that deserved victory? The answer depends on what you value in the sweet science. For some, it was a robbery; for others, a fair reward for the busier fighter.

As the dust settles on this Liverpool night, one thing is clear: the super bantamweight division remains a hotbed of talent and intrigue. Strand and Baluta, in their own ways, added fuel to its fire, leaving fans eager for the next chapter—whether it’s a rematch or new challenges ahead. In a sport where every punch and every point can spark a debate, this fight will linger in conversations, a testament to the passion it inspires.