Abdullah Mason assumes Sam Noakes is going to bring something out of him that the boxing public hasn’t seen since he turned pro four years ago.

Noakes has knocked out 88 percent of his opponents (17-0, 15 KOs), a ratio that makes Mason acutely aware of the potential consequences of a lapse in concentration during their fight for the vacant WBO lightweight title. Cleveland’s Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) expects to respond so savagely Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that fans will realize he hasn’t come close to realizing his vast potential.

“[They’ll see] that I been holding back,” Mason told The Ring. “Everybody that I been in the ring with, they been going out a certain way, and I wanna do the same thing to him at this level. That means that I'm a have to have a little bit more output and put a little more on him. After this fight everybody gonna say, ‘Oh, man, he must’ve been holding back because he ain’t put this on nobody else before this.'"

Mason, 21, figures to have Noakes on high alert, too. The most talented opponent of Noakes’ career has won 89 percent of his pro bouts by knockout and was touted as a future star soon after he made his pro debut in November 2021.

“People see a full package when they watch me fight,” Mason said. “They know I have a certain skill set and talent. And the punching power is something that comes with it that puts it all together.”

Mason demonstrated an ability to overcome adversity a year ago as well. The sharp southpaw got up from two flash knockdowns in the first round and stopped Dominican veteran Yohan Vasquez (26-6, 21 KOs) in the second round of their dramatic shootout at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

“That was a huge experience for me,” he said. “It helped me grow a lot and helped me mature a lot, especially with me already having the skill set and the talent. It only added to my game.”

Noakes, 28, has gone all 12 rounds in two of his past four fights. The Maidstone, England, native stopped Czechia’s Patrik Balaz (13-5-1, 5 KOs) in the third round May 10. Balaz couldn't continue because of a wrist injury.

“The main things I see about Sam Noakes,” Mason said, “is he’s definitely a durable fighter and he’s a strong fighter as well. Anything I throw at him, he’s gonna try to catch it and dish it right back out, and I gotta be prepared for that.”

Mason, the WBO’s No. 1 contender, and Noakes, ranked No. 2, will fight for the unclaimed championship that was stripped from Keyshawn Davis for coming in 4.3 pounds overweight June 6 for a canceled title defense against Edwin De Los Santos.

Mason is a 3-1 favorite, according to DraftKings.

The bout between Mason, ranked No. 9 among The Ring’s lightweight contenders, and the eighth-ranked Noakes will open the pay-per-view portion of “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” card at ANB Arena.

This DAZN Pay-Per-View event will be headlined by WBC light heavyweight champ David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) and Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs). The four-fight show costs $59.99 in the United States and £24.99 in the UK.