Brad Foster was slated for a return to the ring in Telford in April, but a minor injury led to a new fight date and slightly elevated stakes. On Friday, May 20, 2022, at York Hall, Foster headlined on BT Sport against the ‘upset-minded’ and tough Ionut Baluta. Many observers dubbed this a ‘must-win fight’ for Lichfield’s Foster if he harbored aspirations of competing at European title level and beyond.
The former British and Commonwealth Champion Brad Foster (14-1-2) had suffered his sole career defeat prior to this bout, losing to European super-bantamweight champion Jason Cunningham via a close decision in October 2021. That contest, which saw Cunningham claim Foster’s British and Commonwealth titles along with his own European strap, was a scrappy affair where Foster was cut due to a clash of heads in round eight. Foster was looking to rejuvenate his career by claiming the vacant WBC International Title against Ionut Baluta, a victory that many believed would represent his best win to date. Foster, known as ‘The Blade’, had built a solid resume with wins over names such as James Beech Jnr, Josh Wale, Lucien Reid, and Ashley Lane, which included winning the Lonsdale belt outright. He had also captured the IBF International title in March 2021 by defeating Alvaro Rodriguez.
Romania’s Baluta (14-3) was no stranger to the underdog role. His first international outing as the away fighter was in 2019 when he upset Kyle Williams on a small-hall show. Baluta truly shocked the world right before the pandemic when he claimed an 8-round unanimous decision win as a 10-1 underdog over former world champion TJ Doheny in Dubai in what was meant to be a relatively easy comeback fight. Baluta pulled off a third away corner job in a row when he stopped Irish Olympian, David Oliver Joyce, inside 3 rounds on a Queensberry card in September 2020. In his last contest before facing Foster, Baluta suffered a majority decision points defeat in a razor-tight contest to eventual world title challenger Michael Conlan in April 2021, who is a consensus world-level fighter, proving just how good Baluta is. A huge task lay ahead for Brad Foster in Bethnal Green, and one that many felt he might not be able to overcome.
A Gritty Encounter: Fight Night Recap
The highly anticipated clash between Brad Foster and Ionut Baluta for the vacant WBC International super-bantamweight title took place as scheduled on May 20, 2022, at York Hall, Bethnal Green. The fight, broadcast live on BT Sport 2, saw Ionut Baluta emerge victorious, securing a unanimous ten-round decision over Brad Foster. The judges’ scorecards read 98-94, 97-93, and 97-93, all in favor of the Romanian ‘Il Capo’.
The contest itself was described as a “messy” and “scrappy” affair, characterized by numerous clinches and cagey moments. Foster started well, drawing Baluta in and landing with his left hook. However, Baluta, known for his relentless pressure, often came forward, throwing a high volume of punches, though not all found their mark. The fight saw some contentious moments, with Foster receiving a warning in the fourth round for throwing Baluta to the canvas. As the bout progressed, things began to heat up in the sixth round, with both fighters having success. Baluta led off, and Foster successfully closed the distance to land hooks. However, the seventh round again became messy, resulting in Foster receiving another warning, this time for using his head.
A significant factor in the latter half of the fight was a damaged right hand suffered by Brad Foster, which hampered his ability to throw effectively. Baluta capitalized on this, increasing his pressure and activity, which ultimately took its toll on Foster. The more experienced Baluta mixed up his attack with good hooks and hard jabs, pushing the action until the final bell. His consistent output and aggression were key to swaying the judges in his favor, earning him the vacant WBC International super-bantamweight belt.
Aftermath and Divergent Paths
The defeat to Ionut Baluta marked a significant setback for Brad Foster, extending his losing streak to two fights and undoubtedly impacting his standing in the super-bantamweight rankings. Prior to this loss, Foster had been ranked as high as #10 by the WBO in September 2021 and #14 by the IBF in April 2022. However, he has not been ranked in the super-bantamweight division since April 2022. Following the Baluta fight, Foster’s career trajectory continued downwards. He subsequently lost to Reece Edwards via points in a featherweight contest on November 18, 2023. His most recent outing saw him suffer a knockout defeat in the second round to Peter McGrail on September 28, 2024. As of May 2026, Brad Foster’s professional record stands at 15 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws.
For Ionut Baluta, the victory over Brad Foster was arguably the best win of his career, securing him the WBC International super-bantamweight title and opening up further opportunities. However, his path since has also been challenging. Baluta went on to lose a twelve-round points decision to Liam Davies for the EBU European super-bantamweight title on November 19, 2022. He then faced Dennis McCann, resulting in a technical draw on August 18, 2023, followed by a unanimous decision loss in their rematch on July 27, 2024. Baluta did manage to secure a split decision win against Brad Strand on March 15, 2025, but then suffered a majority decision loss to Peter McGrail on June 21, 2025. Despite these mixed results, Baluta continues to compete at a high level, holding a professional record of 17 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw as of May 2026.
The Super-Bantamweight Landscape
The super-bantamweight division, also known as junior featherweight, has a maximum weight limit of 122 pounds (55.3 kg). While the WBC International title is a significant regional belt, it is distinct from the main WBC Super Bantamweight world championship. The division has seen considerable activity and talent. As of early 2026, the undisputed king of the super-bantamweight division is Naoya Inoue, holding the WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA (Super) world titles, showcasing the elite level of competition at the top of the weight class. Both Foster and Baluta’s careers have demonstrated the demanding nature of this division, where even highly skilled fighters face continuous challenges to climb and maintain their positions.
Brad Foster vs Ionut Baluta: Friday, May 20 at York Hall and Live on BT Sport 2 from 7 pm BST
