UBO Challenger: Sandy Messaoud

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MAY 22, 2025 / BY BY UBO PRESS OFFICER

While it is not unfair to say that he could do with a little more punching-power, as only one stoppage win clearly suggests, he has just about everything else in his arsenal, including an admirable willingness to take on all comers.

The tricky southpaw turned professional in May of 2012, and fifteen fights into he his career he was a mediocre 8-6 with one No-Decision. But then things started to go his way.

He put together five straight victories, including one over 16-2 Albanian Xhuljo Vrenozi, to line up his first championship fight. In July of 2020 he scored a technical decision over Nursultan Zhangabayev (8-0) in Belarus to win IBF, WBA and WBO regional titles.

In May of 2025 he added a WBC regional strap to his collection, outscoring compatriot Nurali Erdogan (12-0), and stayed busy with a routine victory the following December, his last fight before fighting Yosif Panov (24-3) in a massive fight in Bulgaria for the vacant UBO world Welterweight crown in October of 2023.

Messaoud lost a very close decision to Panov (113-115, 114-116 and 114-117), in a fight that could have gone either way. It wasn't to be on the night for the Frenchman, but he soon showed that he had plenty more to give.

In February of 2024 he beat reigning WBF world champion Meriton Karaxha (30-8-4) in a non-title fight in Belgium, which set him up to win the WBC International title four months later, beating Argentinian Dorian Maidana (10-3).

Last December he retained the WBC title with a split decision over Yanis Mehah (17-1), also from France, before going to Spain this past February to lose the title on another close decision to reigning European champion Samuel Molina (31-3).

He may be 38 years old, and didn't win his last bout, but Sandy Messaoud can never be written off. Many of his wins he has secured as the underdog, and he has the mindset of a true champion. If he so chose, Sandy Messaoud will be back!