Peter McGrail comes home to Liverpool carrying unfinished business. The 29-year-old super bantamweight lost to Shabaz Masoud by unanimous decision in Monte Carlo last December — a painful defeat on foreign soil that stalled a title trajectory that had looked increasingly sharp. Now he’s back at the M&S Bank Arena in front of his own crowd, facing Argentine veteran Ckari Cani Mansilla in a 10-rounder on Saturday, 18 April. The Boxing Data picture on McGrail’s recent outings gives a clear sense of what he needs to do differently — and why this homecoming matters.
| Date | Saturday, 18 April 2026 |
| Venue | M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool |
| Division | Super Bantamweight (122 lb) |
| Scheduled Rounds | 10 |
| Promoter | Matchroom Boxing |
| Broadcast | DAZN (UK & US) |
Peter McGrail (12-2, 6 KOs) is one of British boxing’s most technically sharp super bantamweights. The Liverpool southpaw had an outstanding amateur career — he’s a former European and Commonwealth champion — and that pedigree showed when he knocked out Brad Foster inside two rounds in Sheffield, then outpointed Rhys Edwards in Riyadh on the Usyk-Fury 2 undercard.
But the December loss to Masoud in Monte Carlo exposed questions. The 12-round unanimous decision defeat — scored cleanly for Masoud — showed McGrail at his most passive, unable to impose his southpaw angles against a physically stronger opponent who used his jab to keep him at range. At 5’7” with a 65” reach, McGrail’s game is built on output and southpaw disruption. When that’s neutralised, his path to the judges’ cards becomes narrower.
A win here — done well — puts him firmly back in the mix for British and Commonwealth title action.
| Record | 12-2 (6 KOs) |
| Age | 29 |
| Nationality | English |
| Height | 5’7” / 170 cm |
| Reach | 65” / 165 cm |
| Stance | Southpaw |
Ckari Cani Mansilla (18-4, 13 KOs) is not a name that gets boxing fans excited in the UK, but his record warrants respect. The 33-year-old Argentinian carries genuine knockout power — 13 stops from 18 wins (72%) — and has experience fighting away from home. His four losses suggest he’s been tested at a decent level, and with a record built on finishes, he’ll be looking to exploit any hesitancy from McGrail in the early rounds.
| Record | 18-4 (13 KOs) |
| Age | 33 |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| KO Rate | 72% |
| McGrail | Mansilla | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 29 | 33 |
| Record | 12-2 | 18-4 |
| KOs | 6 (46%) | 13 (72%) |
| Height | 5’7” / 170cm | — |
| Reach | 65” / 165cm | — |
| Stance | Southpaw | — |
Peter McGrail — Last 5
| Result | Opponent | Method | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| L | Shabaz Masoud | UD | 12 |
| W | Ionut Baluta | MD | 10 |
| W | Rhys Edwards | UD | 10 |
| W | Brad Foster | KO | 2 |
| W | Marc Leach | UD | 10 |
McGrail’s southpaw jab and high work-rate will be his primary tools. The Boxing Data CompuBox picture from his recent fights shows him as a high-volume fighter who generates his best returns through sustained pressure and combination punching — his 10-round output against Baluta ran to over 500 punches thrown. Against Mansilla, who relies on power rather than technical boxing, McGrail’s angles and activity should work in his favour.
The caveat is the Masoud fight. When McGrail was unable to generate his rhythm — held at range, disrupted physically — he lost cleanly on all three cards. Mansilla’s KO threat is real. If McGrail is too cautious in the opening rounds, trying not to get hurt, he risks ceding the early frames and making the night difficult for himself.
The home crowd is a factor too. McGrail’s best nights have come in front of his own people. M&S Bank Arena will be loud for a Liverpool southpaw with a point to prove.
Peter McGrail wins if:
Ckari Mansilla wins if:
Odds: McGrail 1/5 (-500) · Mansilla 3/1 (+300)
McGrail in front of his home crowd is a very different fighter to McGrail in Monte Carlo. His amateur pedigree, southpaw craft, and high-volume style should be too much for Mansilla over 10 rounds, but the 72% KO rate from the visitor keeps the margin of caution in place. Expect McGrail to work behind his jab, build a points lead, and look for a late stoppage if Mansilla tires in the championship rounds.
Prediction: Peter McGrail UD or late TKO
| Country | Broadcaster | Approx. Ringwalk |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | DAZN | 8:00 PM BST |
| United States | DAZN | 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT |
Also on the card: Whittaker vs Suarez main event preview → | Joe McGrail vs Hayden Central Area title preview → | Molly McCann vs Ashleigh Johnson preview →
When is Peter McGrail vs Mansilla? Saturday, 18 April 2026, at M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool. Ringwalk expected around 8:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM ET.
What division is McGrail vs Mansilla? Super Bantamweight (122 lb), scheduled for 10 rounds.
What are the betting odds? McGrail is 1/5 (-500) and Mansilla is 3/1 (+300).
What happened in McGrail’s last fight? McGrail lost by unanimous decision to Shabaz Masoud over 12 rounds in Monte Carlo in December 2025. It was a clear defeat on all three scorecards.
Where can I watch McGrail vs Mansilla? Live on DAZN in both the UK and US, as part of the Whittaker vs Suarez card.
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