Boxing’s youngest world champion has vowed to stay ready for potential unification showdowns with the likes of Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson.
The man in question is 21-year-old Abdullah Mason, who claimed his WBO lightweight strap towards the end of last month, overcoming a gruelling battle with Sam Noakes to seize the vacant title.
In doing so, Mason proved that he not only possesses the silky skills of a slick southpaw, but is also capable of grinding out a hard-fought points victory.
But while the precocious talent, it seems, would still benefit from a few more development fights, his status at world level could nonetheless see him get chucked straight back into the deep end.
The American finds himself in no Mickey Mouse division, either, with fellow champions Stevenson, Davis and Raymond Muratalla all representing tremendous challenges.
While gearing up for his showdown with WBO world super-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez on January 31, Stevenson has also been permitted to keep hold of his WBC belt at 135lbs.
As for WBA title-holder Davis, it remains to be seen whether his career, which has seemingly reached crisis point following a lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend, will continue as normal.
Should he retain his WBA belt, though, then Davis, along with Stevenson and the winner of Muratalla and Andy Cruz’s IBF title fight on January 24, could all soon emerge as possible options for Mason.
In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Mason insists that he will be ready and waiting for any of the three champions, regardless of whoever comes next.
“I feel like they’re all big challenges. With me being a world champion, I’ve got to be prepared for whatever boxing throws at me.
“A world champion is a world champion, and you’ve got four of them right now in the lightweight division. I’ve got to be ready to face any of the other three.”
