LEADING lightweight contenders Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason have been ordered to enter negotiations for a potential showdown later this year.
The two unbeaten operators are ranked first and second, respectively, by the WBO, which has afforded their teams 20 days to reach an agreement.
If both parties are unable to strike a deal in that time, their clash – ordered for the vacant WBO world title at 135lbs – will then go to a purse bid.
The sanctioning body stripped Keyshawn Davis, who previously held the belt, immediately after he hit the scales at 4.3lbs above the lightweight limit last Friday.
His title defence was supposed to be against Edwin De Los Santos, whose team – in response to Davis’ sizable weight advantage – ultimately pulled the plug on their contest.
As a result, highly-touted prospect Mason, 19-0 (17 KOs), who secured a fifth-round stoppage victory over Jeremia Nakathila, was elevated to the main event slot on last Saturday’s Top Rank card.
But despite boasting a tremendous degree of talent, the 21-year-old is still largely unproven at the top level, with most of his notable victories arriving against gatekeepers.
At the same time, though, it could be said that Noakes, 17-0 (15 KOs), finds himself in a similar position, as last year’s unanimous decision win over seasoned veteran Yvan Mendy perhaps represents his most impressive.
Along with that, the spiteful puncher has placed himself well above the domestic scene at lightweight, with victories over Ryan Walsh and Lewis Sylvester, too, only adding to his credentials beyond that level.
Either way, Queensberry Promotions and Top Rank must now begin talks for an intriguing clash between their two rising stars.
