Introduction
In a significant turn of events in the boxing world, Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes have been given the green light by the WBO to clash for the vacant lightweight championship. Both fighters, with Mason at 21 and Noakes at 27, are undefeated and hold the top two spots in the WBO rankings, setting the stage for a highly anticipated matchup.
Negotiation Window and Recent Controversy
The two contenders have a window of 20 days to negotiate terms for their bout; if an agreement isn’t reached, purse bids will take place. This announcement follows the recent controversy surrounding Keyshawn Davis, who was stripped of his title when he failed to make weight by over four pounds ahead of his scheduled defense against Edwin De Los Santos. The fight was abruptly canceled just a day prior to its planned date, resulting in Mason being promoted to the headlining fight for the event.
Fighter Profiles
Mason, currently boasting an impressive record of 19 victories with 17 knockouts, showcased his abilities by defeating Jeremia Nakathila in the fifth round during a main event aired on ESPN in Norfolk. Following his victory, Mason expressed a strong eagerness to compete for a world title immediately.
Meanwhile, Noakes, who has a record of 17 wins with 15 knockouts, last fought in May, where he secured a quick knockout against Patrik Balaz. Initially, he had been preparing for a bout with Jono Carroll in August, which has since been canceled in light of the new title opportunity.
Future Possibilities
Adding to the buzz around this title fight, boxing investor Turki Alalshikh has mentioned Mason as a potential participant for the upcoming Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford card, set to be streamed live on Netflix on September 13. With the possibility of this title fight being featured on such a prominent event, fans eagerly await further developments.
