AFTER Keyshawn Davis was stripped of the WBO lightweight world title, Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes received the call to meet for the vacant belt. For that contest, Mason has now revealed that the world title is not all that he plans to gain.
Mason, 19-0 (17 KOs), debuted as a professional at just 17-years-old off the back off an impressive amateur career and he has since continued that form in the professional ranks and emerged as one of boxing’s greatest prospects.
After keeping his undefeated record intact, the Cleveland-born southpaw has noticeably stepped up the level of his opposition this year and knocked out each of Manuel Jaimes, Carlos Ornelas and Jeremia Nakathila already during 2025.
As a result, Mason now sits as the #1 contender with the WBO and has received the opportunity to take on undefeated Brit, Sam Noakes, 17-0 (15 KOs), for the vacant title, following the abrupt end to Keyshawn Davis’ reign.
Speaking with Boxing News, Mason admitted that the Maidstone-based contender is his toughest opponent to date but revealed his prediction that the judges will not be required.
“Yeah, we have seen Sam Noakes, and he is a great fighter. He has got a lot of power in his punches.
“This will be my best opponent yet, not just on paper, he is actually a good fighter.
“I don’t think that it is going to go to the distance, but I am prepared for anything that I have got to do.”
Victory would see 21-year-old Mason become boxing’s youngest world champion, but he revealed that the belt is not the only thing he aims to earn by defeating Noakes, hoping to see British fans at his already-planned first defence of the title in Ohio.
“The UK fans are crazy, they love boxing. Boxing is huge over there in the United Kingdom, so I can’t wait to perform and get some more fans over there. Hopefully they can even be at my hometown fight too in Cleveland.”
Mason-Noakes takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the Benavidez-Yarde undercard on November 22.
