Historic Victory in Riyadh
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Mason made history on November 22, 2025, by defeating Sam Noakes in a thrilling bout to seize the vacant WBO lightweight championship. This victory not only marked Mason’s rise but also made him the youngest active male world champion in boxing at just 21 years old.
The Fight
Part of the undercard for the highly anticipated David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde event at the ANB Arena, the American fighter showcased his resilience by overcoming a fierce challenge from his opponent, Noakes.
Going into the match with an undefeated record of 20-0, including 17 knockouts, Mason faced a formidable adversary in Noakes, who carried a record of 17 wins and only 1 loss, with 15 of those wins by knockout.
Turning Point
This bout was particularly grueling for Mason as he exceeded the sixth round for the first time in his professional career. The contest saw both boxers engage in an intense exchange of blows, with Mason initially struggling against Noakes’ relentless forward movement and pressure.
The turning point came early in the third round when an accidental headbutt opened a cut above Noakes’ left eye. However, the British fighter remained undaunted. As they fought in close quarters, Noakes’s effective bodywork allowed him to secure several crucial rounds, but Mason responded effectively with sharp uppercuts and powerful straight punches, taking control at various moments.
Climax of the Match
The climax of the match occurred in the 10th round when Mason landed a damaging right uppercut to Noakes’ liver, visibly hurting him. In a show of grit, Noakes rallied back, refusing to go down as he fought valiantly until the end of the round despite the onslaught.
Judges’ Decision
The judges ultimately scored the bout in favor of Mason, with unanimous scores of 117-111 and 115-113 (twice). When the final punch statistics were revealed, Mason had landed 38% of his punches, totaling 214 out of 566, while Noakes struggled to connect with only 25% of his attempts, scoring 156 out of 613.
This decisive win underlined Mason’s potential and solidified his reputation as one of boxing’s brightest prospects, overtaking 23-year-old Xander Zayas to become the youngest male world champion.
