Abdullah Mason admits
Sam Noakes will be the most dangerous opponent of his career.
The hard-hitting English lightweight contender has won 88 percent of his bouts by knockout in six years as a pro.
Shakur Stevenson, the unbeaten WBC lightweight champ, touted Noakes’ power after they sparred early this year in London.
Noakes, The Ring’s No. 8 lightweight contender, has demonstrated durability as well while earning a shot at the vacant WBO 135-pound championship. Mason, No. 9 in
The Ring’s top 10, considers Noakes exactly the type of fighter he needs to beat impressively to prove he is an elite-level lightweight.
Cleveland’s Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) and Maidstone’s Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) will fight for the WBO lightweight crown that was stripped from Keyshawn Davis for
coming in 4.3 pounds overweight for a canceled title defense against Edwin De Los Santos four months ago.
The 12-round bout between Mason and Noakes will be part of “The Ring IV: Night of Champions” card November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“This is one of those fights where you’re just gonna test something out that’s never been tested before,” Mason stated on the most recent episode of “Inside The Ring,” co-hosted by Max Kellerman and Mike Coppinger. “And every time that I’ve been tested, I’ve passed with flying colors. Even in November, where I got caught with a shot, I came back and I got him out of there that second round. So, this is gonna be another test on the table. And every test that I ace, it solidifies me more and more into the sport of boxing.”
Mason referred to heavy-handed Dominican Yohan Vasquez dropping him twice in the first round last November 8 in Norfolk, Virginia.
A composed Mason emphatically responded by sending Vasquez to the canvas once apiece in the first and second rounds. Their scheduled 10-rounder was stopped 1:59 into the second round.
Those troublesome moments versus Vasquez created some doubt about Mason’s chin. Mason is certain those difficulties helped him improve defensively and become more focused early in fights.
He beat all three of his opponents by technical knockout since his victory over Vasquez (26-6, 21 KOs). The skillful, strong southpaw still hasn’t boxed beyond the sixth round, whereas Noakes has gone 12 rounds twice.
“A world championship [fight] is a huge step up,” Mason said, “so once I do this, this is kinda solidifying me in the sport as one of boxing’s biggest up and coming names.”
Mason is a 4-1 favorite to defeat Noakes, according to DraftKings. He nonetheless knows Noakes will force him to show dimensions to his game he has yet to unveil.
“I might have to bring some stuff,” Mason said, “that I haven’t had to bring out for the rest because he’s a durable opponent as everybody can see. And that’s just what it is. I'm gonna have to bring a little bit more smoke.”
Mason-Noakes will be one of four title fights
DAZN will stream as part of “The Ring IV: Night of Champions.” Phoenix’s
David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) is scheduled to defend his WBC light heavyweight title against England’s Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) in the 12-round main event.
Keith Idec is a senior writer and columnist for The Ring. He can be reached on X @idecboxing