A WBO world title clash between Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason, who are ranked number one and two respectively, has been confirmed by Turki Alalshikh.
According to the boxing paymaster, the two unbeaten contenders will square off for the vacant lightweight strap in November, featuring on a stacked card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The event, which is yet to be given an official date, is set to be headlined by a welterweight showdown between WBO world champion Brian Norman Jr and Devin Haney.
Along with that, Alalshikh announced just yesterday that David Benavidez will defend his WBC world light-heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde, with their encounter expected to appear on the same card in November.
As for Noakes, 17-0 (15 KOs), it has doubtless come as refreshing news that, rather than being forced to travel across the pond, his first stab at world honours is likely to take place on neutral territory.
The 27-year-old comprehensively defended his British title, which he has since relinquished, after outlasting a durable Ryan Walsh in December, with his only other points victory arriving against Yvan Mendy earlier last year.
Since then, the heavy-handed operator has gotten back to destructive ways, albeit against limited opposition, with a three-round blowout in May.
Mason, 19-0 (17 KOs), meanwhile, comes off a scintillating fifth-round stoppage victory over Jeremia Nakathila which, in turn, has silenced many of the detractors that emerged soon after he twice touched the canvas against Yohan Vasquez in December.
Equally, his performance last month reminded many of the fans why he is, in fact, one of this sport’s most highly-touted prospects.
But sure enough, we will soon discover whether all the hype is justified, as the 21-year-old gears up to challenge for the belt that Keyshawn Davis lost on the scales a matter of weeks ago.
