A Competitive Clash Between Two Determined Fighters
The co-main event of the La Relève boxing gala in Metz on September 18, 2026, saw Jaouad Belmehdi face British boxer Mace Ruegg in an eight-round lightweight contest.
Both fighters entered the ring determined to make their mark. Ruegg, returning after an 18-month absence from competition, showed no signs of ring rust and started strongly. He appeared to gain the upper hand during the opening rounds, landing clean shots and putting Belmehdi under pressure.
However, the French-Moroccan boxer gradually found his rhythm and responded with a stronger performance in the second half of the fight. As the rounds progressed, both men continued to exchange and fight for control, delivering a closely contested encounter.
A Majority Draw After Eight Rounds
After eight rounds of action, neither fighter was able to secure the victory. The judges returned a majority draw, with scorecards of 76–76, 76–76 and 77–75 in favour of Mace Ruegg.
Although the result left both camps frustrated, the fight demonstrated the determination and competitive spirit of both boxers. Ruegg delivered an impressive performance against a more experienced opponent, while Belmehdi showed resilience and the ability to fight back in the closing rounds.
A hard-fought contest in Metz, with no winner declared and both fighters leaving the ring with plenty to build on.
