Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes | DAZN - 22 November 2025

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBO SET TO ORDER SAM NOAKES-ABDULLAH MASON FOR VACANT LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

NORFOLK, Virginia — Abdullah Mason came to Keyshawn Davis’ hometown hopeful that beating Jeremia Nakathila would lead to a shot at his WBO lightweight title in his following fight.

Mason remains optimistic about fighting for the WBO 135-pound championship next, but the undefeated southpaw’s probable opponent obviously has changed. Davis gave up his title when he weighed 4.3 pounds above the limit Friday afternoon for his canceled fight with Edwin De Los Santos on Saturday night
.
The Ring has confirmed that the WBO is therefore expected to order a bout between Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs), its No. 1 contender from Maidstone, England, and Mason (19-0, 17 KOs), ranked No. 2, for its vacant lightweight title.

Mason, of Cleveland, Ohio, still hopes to fight Davis (13-0, 9 KOs, 1 NC) one day, but he sent a message to Noakes and the British contender’s team following his fifth-round TKO victory over Namibia’s Nakathila (26-5, 21 KOs) in a 10-round main event ESPN aired Saturday night from Scope Arena.

“Let’s make it happen,” Mason told a group of reporters. “Let’s have a great fight and it’ll be amazing. That’s something that people wanna see. I feel like Sam Noakes is definitely a worthy opponent. He let his hands go. Great offense as well. But it’ll be something amazing.”

The heavy-handed Noakes, 27, is The Ring’s No. 10-rated lightweight contender. Mason, 21, has displayed plenty of maturity for his age, power and skill, but he is not ranked among The Ring’s top 10 at 135.

Putting together a Noakes-Mason match shouldn’t be too troublesome. Noakes’ promoter, allegedly, and Mason’s promoter, Bob Arum, have worked closely together in recent years, most notably with former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

An ambitious Mason is willing to travel to England for an opportunity to become a world champion as well. Mason appreciates boxing’s intense fan base there and is intrigued by fighting in Noakes’ home country.

“Going out to the UK, that’d be crazy,” Mason told The Ring. “I’m definitely all for the idea, if everything is right to go out there, show out there. The one thing about the UK, me and my team actually been talking about it, how the experience would be going out there, just wanting to be out there period because the fan base is so crazy. It’s even crazier than it is here.

“They stadiums be packed — 70,000, 80,000 people. Here you get some crazy packed fights, but it’s not getting up there. You get 20 [thousand], 30,000 over here. But going out there, it wouldn’t only be big for me, but I’ll say probably big for boxing to showcase my talents in a country where they love boxing. And I feel like I do have those talents, to where if I go out there, they’ll love me.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Mason knows it’s going off in the UK.

He’s open to coming over. It will be good for him.

Many US boxers have come here to win their first world title and they get respected too.

[THEBUTCH]

Fascinating clash. Mason hasn't been beyond 6 rounds yet.

Noakes has developed really well. Be interesting to see how Sam deals with fast Americans.

[rd350lc]

Great fight if it happens.

[D4v3]

Seems like a likeable lad does mason, big step up for both if it happens

[MightyWarrior]

Terrific fight. If it happens. I really like Abdullah Mason, the intriguing combination of huge talent, big puncher, but possibly vulnerable. Frank, who’s on a winning run, might like his chances here, with the heavy-handed Noakes, even though he’d be underdog.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

SAM NOAKES VS. ABDULLAH MASON FOR VACANT LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE OFFICIALLY ORDERED BY WBO

The WBO have officially ordered Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason to fight for their vacant lightweight title, the sanctioning body's president Gustavo Olivieri has confirmed.

The two sides now have 20 days to agree a deal or the bout will head to purse bids.

Mason, The Ring's No. 10 135-pounder recently beat Jeremia Nakathila by 5th-round stoppage in his first main event after originally headliner Keyshawn Davis was pulled after missing weight.

Davis, who was set to defend his WBO title against Edwin de Los Santos at his hometown Norfolk, Virginia's Scope Arena, lost his belt on the scales after coming in 4.3 pounds overweight.

That leaves the WBO No. 2 contender Mason, from Cleveland, Ohio, and its No. 1-rated fighter Noakes, from Maidstone, England, to battle it out for the vacant strap.

Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs), who is ranked No. 9 by The Ring, one place above Mason, was last in action on the Anthony Cacace-Leigh Wood bill, knocking out Patrik Balaz in 3rd round.

Noakes, 27, is the current British and Commonwealth lightweight titleholder and previously held the European title after winning it against France's Yvan Bendy by decision in April 2024.

Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) is a Ring ambassador and has fast become one of the hottest prospects in the sport today at the age of 21.

He recently told The Ring he would be willing to travel to the UK to fight Noakes.

"Going out to the UK, that’d be crazy," Mason said. "I'm definitely all for the idea, if everything is right to go out there, show out there. The one thing about the UK, me and my team actually been talking about it, how the experience would be going out there, just wanting to be out there period because the fan base is so crazy. It's even crazier than it is here.

"They stadiums be packed — 70,000, 80,000 people. Here you get some crazy packed fights, but it's not getting up there. You get 20 [thousand], 30,000 over here. But going out there, it wouldn't only be big for me, but I'll say probably big for boxing to showcase my talents in a country where they love boxing. And I feel like I do have those talents, to where if I go out there, they’ll love me."

On Wednesday, HE Turki Alalshikh included Mason in a list of young fighters who were in the running to compete on the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford card, which is scheduled for September 13 and is to be streamed live on Netflix to its 300 million-plus subscriber base.

There's now a very real possibility that Mason's first title fight, against Noakes, could land on that card, which is set to take place in Las Vegas at a venue yet to be determined.

“The world will be watching Riyadh Season’s Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford fight of the century on Netflix,” Alalshikh wrote on X. “And for that, I want to load the undercard with young, hungry fighters who deserve the chance to perform under the bright lights. These are some of the names I hope to see fighting in Las Vegas on Sept. 13, led by The Ring [118-pound] champion Junto [Nakatani]. If you are interested, you and your teams know how to find me.”

The list also included super middleweight hard-hitter Christian Mbilli and featherweight talent Reito Tsutsumi.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joe Cordina could face winner of Abdullah Mason-Sam Noakes

Eddie Hearn is already plotting Joe Cordina’s route towards a world championship.

The Welshman has been out in the boxing wilderness since losing his IBF junior lightweight title to Anthony Cacace in May 2024. Cordina was supposed to face Shakur Stevenson for the WBC 135lbs title three months later, but the American withdrew with a hand injury. This left Cordina with few options and no backing as his contract with Hearn and Matchroom had expired.

It was a frustrating time for Cordina, who felt like he deserved better from his old promotional outfit, and with no deal or fight on the table, he held talks with several of the UK’s leading promoters. Cordina and Matchroom eventually settled their differences earlier this month, and signed a two-fight promotional deal. Cordina will return on the undercard of Jack Catterall-Harlem Eubank on July 5 in Manchester, England, against Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz.

“I'm so happy to see Joe back. For me, one of the best pound-for-pound British fighters out there,” Hearn told BS. “You know, I think he was very unlucky coming off the Cacace defeat. I believe he was punched after the break, but that's another story.

“But he got the Shakur Stevenson fight, and obviously that fell through, and he wasn't able to land that big fight. I had a good conversation with Joe, I said, ‘Look, you need to get back in the 10-round championship fight before, while we're waiting for that big fight.’ And that's what he's doing July 5th. He's got a Mexican opponent. It's going to be a tough fight, but looking for him to look good.”

Cordina, now 33 years old, is looking to become a two-weight world champion sooner rather than later. There has been movement with the lightweight belts as of late: Vasiliy Lomachenko retired, Raymond Muratalla has been elevated to full champion with the IBF, and Keyshawn Davis recently relinquished his WBO strap after he came in four pounds overweight in his scheduled fight against Edwin De Los Santos on June 7, which was later called off. Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes have been ordered by the WBO to fight for the vacant title.

“The lightweight division is really opening up,” Hearn said. “Andy Cruz is going to fight [Raymond] Muratalla for the IBF World Championship. WBO is vacant – looks like Mason against Noakes. Shakur is obviously the WBC champ and the king, really. You've got Gervonta [Davis, the WBA champion] in there as well. So, you know, an opportunity for Joe, I think, is to get himself in a mandatory position, particularly with the IBF or the WBO. This fight's for one of the regional belts for the WBO, so it'll get him ranked. I'd love to see Joe fight the winner of Mason against Noakes.”

And is the once-scheduled bout between Cordina and Stevenson now dead in the water?

“I think for now,” Hearn said. “I think that was a great opportunity for Joe, and he really liked that fight. But once that fell through, you know, it was really time to get back in the ring, and looking forward to seeing him back in Manchester.”

[Bigdogsnose]

Jesus. Joe Cordina's still hanging around!

I really don't like Noakes chances here. The American domestic scene seems to be levels above ours at the moment, especially around 135-140.

Just seeing what Schofield did to Famer at the weekend, and i think that Mason is generally considered a better prospect.

Is Noakes that heavy handed, not sure his power will transcend the levels like Mason can. Also, he seems to have had better learning fights. Got put on his arse a couple of times a few fights back and he seems to have learnt to take his time and take his opponents apart before eventually battering him.

Mason by KO.

[Taansend]

Noakes best bet is weather the storm in the first half & come on strong down the stretch.

But Mason is young & fit as a flea so maybe he does 12 rounds just fine.

But that's what I'd be telling Noakes. High guard, chip away to the body early doors & turn it up late on.

But that's really easy for me to type, isn't it

Saying that, I'm still going to go with Noakes

[margaret thatcher]

think mason should win, but he was dropped on his ass pretty good twice not long ago, so maybe not the sturdiest and noakes should get some confidence from taht

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

ABDULLAH MASON VS. SAM NOAKES SET FOR VACANT WBO LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE IN NOVEMBER

Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes will square off for the vacant WBO lightweight title during a Riyadh Season event in November, it was announced Thursday.

The exact date and venue will be revealed at a later date, but the fight will be featured on the card that already includes WBC welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. taking on Devin Haney and WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez defending his crown against Anthony Yarde.

The WBO ordered a fight between the No. 1-ranked Noakes and No. 2 Mason last month after its former champion, Keyshawn Davis, was stripped for failing to make weight in his canceled contest against Edwin De Los Santos.

Mason (19-0, 17 KOs), a 21-year-old phenom from Cleveland, Ohio, stepped in to save the Top Rank on ESPN show as the new main event by stopping former title challenger Jeremia Nakathila in five rounds.

Noakes (23-1, 17 KOs), a 27-year-old Brit, last fought in May and scored a third-round knockout against Patrik Balaz.

Noakes is ranked No. 9 by The Ring at 135 pounds, and Mason is rated No. 10.

[Ruthless-RKO]

This card is already looking good.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Abdullah Mason-Sam Noakes vacant WBO title fight heads to Riyadh in November

Abdullah Mason is set for his first major title fight.

The fast-rising lightweight is set to face Sam Noakes in a vacant WBO lightweight title fight between unbeaten contenders. Their clash will take place in November as part of a Riyadh Season show being put together by the team headed by Turki Alashikh, who announced the fight.

“A battle of undefeated fighters for the world title,” Alalshikh revealed overnight. “Abdullah Mason will collide with Sam Noakes for the vacant WBO lightweight title, as part of the MASSIVE Riyadh Season event in November.”

The matchup joins two other confirmed title fights for the show. As previously reported by BS, David Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs) will risk his WBC light heavyweight title against former title challenger Anthony Yarde, while WBO welterweight titlist Brian Norman Jnr, 28-0 (22 KOs) takes on former two-division champ Devin Haney, 32-0 (15 KOs).

Mason, 19-0 (17 KOs), was in the absolute right place at the right time for his last ring outing. The 21-year-old southpaw shone in his first main event, as he forced veteran gatekeeper Jeremia Nakathila to quit after four rounds in their June 7 clash in Norfolk, Virginia. The bout was advanced to headlining act when Keyshawn Davis failed to make weight for his eventually canceled WBO lightweight title defense against Edwin De Los Santos.

Davis was stripped of the belt after coming in well over the lightweight limit. The development opened a door for Mason, who is just behind Noakes, 17-0 (15 KOs) atop the WBO 135lbs rankings.

Noakes will fight outside of the United Kingdom for the first time as a pro.

The 27-year-old from Maidstone, Kent is fresh off a third-round knockout win over Patrik Balaz on May 10 in Nottingham, England. It came on the heels of a four-win campaign in 2024, including notable victories over Lewis Sylvester, Yvan Mendy and Ryan Walsh.

Mason has stopped his last nine opponents. He’s already racked up three wins inside the distance in 2025, following a five-knockout 2024 run that saw him blitz past the prospect stage and straight to the contender level.

His matchup with Noakes will represents Mason’s first scheduled 12-round contest. He’s yet to be extended past the sixth round.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Briton Noakes to fight for world title in November

Briton Sam Noakes will fight fellow unbeaten contender Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO lightweight world title in Saudi Arabia this November.

The 27-year-old from Maidstone has won all 17 of his professional bouts, stopping 15 opponents.

American Mason, 21, also boasts a perfect record, with 17 knockouts from 19 victories.

The WBO ordered the bout after stripping former champion Keyshawn Davis, who failed to make weight for a cancelled fight against Edwin De Los Santos.

The fight will take place during Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season, with the exact date and venue yet to be confirmed.

The undercard will feature London's Anthony Yarde challenging WBC light-heavyweight champion David Benavidez, and a welterweight main event between WBO champion Brian Norman Jr and Devin Haney.

[Taansend]

Ideally I'd like Yarde, Norman & Noakes* to win by spectacular Kayo's but I do not hold out a lot of hope for that happening.

* - sounds like a small team of lawyers in provincial town somewhere.

[MightyWarrior]

This is one hell of a card, three can’t miss fights.

Okay Haney is boring, but Norman really lit it up last time out - a fighter I’ll be tuning in to watch.
Yarde always brings the big punching, he’ll test the Mexican monster, who won’t be backing down either - that one’s gonna be a firefight.

And Sam’s really drawn the short straw at LW, taking on the mercurial Abdullah Mason, that one’s gonna be a barnstormer too. A very intriguing clash of unbeaten up and comers.

[JamesPhilips]

This is one hell of a card, three can’t miss fights.

Okay Haney is boring, but Norman really lit it up last time out - a fighter I’ll be tuning in to watch.
Yarde always brings the big punching, he’ll test the Mexican monster, who won’t be backing down either - that one’s gonna be a firefight.

And Sam’s really drawn the short straw at LW, taking on the mercurial Abdullah Mason, that one’s gonna be a barnstormer too. A very intriguing clash of unbeaten up and comers.

Wow these are all on the same bill?

[Ruthless-RKO]

‘RING IV’ ANNOUNCED FOR NOVEMBER 22 IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA; TO FEATURE BENAVIDEZ-YARDE & HANEY-NORMAN

Turki Alalshikh officially announced the date for “Ring IV” through his X account Monday night.

The Ring’s next pay-per-view show has been scheduled for November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As previously reported by The Ring, the loaded card is set to feature four 12-round world title fights in different divisions.

David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) will defend his WBC light heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs). In the bout before Benavidez faces Yarde, Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs, 1 NC) will put his WBO welterweight title on the line versus Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC), a former undisputed lightweight champion.

Also November 22, Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason will square off for the vacant WBO lightweight title.

Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) is the WBO’s No. 1-ranked contender in the lightweight division. Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) is ranked No. 2 by the WBO.

Noakes and Mason will fight for the WBO belt Keyshawn Davis gave up on the scale June 6, when he came in 4.3 pounds overweight for an optional title defense against Edwin De Los Santos the next night at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, Davis’ hometown. The Davis-De Los Santos fight was canceled because De Los Santos’ former promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, considered it too dangerous for the Dominican southpaw to fight someone so much heavier than him.

“Ring IV” could also feature a long-discussed fight to determine boxing’s undisputed junior bantamweight champion. If favored Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs), who owns the The Ring and WBC 115-pound crowns, beats WBO champ Phumelela Cafu (11-0-3, 8 KOs) on July 19 in Frisco, Texas, Rodriguez will battle IBF and WBA champ Fernando Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs) on November 22.

A press conference to formally announce “Ring IV” has been scheduled for 1 p.m. ET Friday at Hard Rock Times Square in New York. It will be streamed live on The Ring’s social media channels.

The “Ring IV” press conference will follow the ceremonial weigh-in for “Ring III,” the DAZN Pay-Per-View event scheduled to take place Saturday night at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

SAM NOAKES HAS PUNCHER'S CHANCE VS. ABDULLAH MASON, SAYS 135-POUND RIVAL BARRETT

It was recently confirmed that in November, Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes will contest the vacant WBO lightweight title on 'The Ring IV: Night of Champions' show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) is one of the most skilled young fighters in world boxing whilst the all action Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) currently heads up a strong British group at 135lbs.

Zelfa Barrett has recently joined the party at 135lbs. The former European junior lightweight champion is rebuilding after suffering a decision loss to new WBA interim 130lb champion, Jazza Dickens, in February.

Talent runs deep in the lightweight division and the fight between Mason and Noakes will see a new name pull up a seat at the top table. Barrett (32-3, 18 KOs) is intrigued to see how things play out.

“I feel like Sam Noakes will give it his all but I just feel like Abdullah Mason will be too good for him,” Barrett told The Ring.

“He’s cold. He's very good. Don't get me wrong, Sam Noakes has got a puncher's chance because he hits very hard and we've seen what pressure does a bit to Abdullah Mason. He's been put down off Yohan Vasquez.

“He put him down and hurt him. That was pressure. So, Sam Noakes could potentially, well, that's the only way he could beat him, in my eyes.

“It's a bit of a tough one. It’s a good fight and I do believe if Sam Noakes gets beat after this fight, he'll probably go up because he's a big guy anyway, and he's already been European and British champion.

“It's a winnable fight for Abdullah Mason but it's also a winnable fight for Sam Noakes.”

Barrett feels revitalised since joining up with former Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year, Joe Gallagher, and making the move to lightweight.

The 31 year-old got back to winning ways last months with a third round knockout of Mexico’s Christian Bielma and he and Gallagher are keen to continue building momentum and solidifying their relationship so that they are ready when a major opportunity presents itself.

This weekend he takes on India’s Rajesh Kumar on a VIP Promotions show in Wakefield.

Barrett enjoys watching boxing and pays close attention to fighters in an around his weight class. After spending his entire career surveying the junior lightweight scene, he is now casting his eye over a new range of potential opponents. He knows that talent runs deep in the 135lb division but is looking forward to getting involved.

“I’ve never been so confident in being a world champion and the best thing about it is that only a small group know. This is what makes it better for me because I think I'm just going to shock everyone,” he said.

“I appreciate how good some of the players are at the weight. I know how good Abdullah Mason is. I've seen Floyd Schofield beat Tevin Farmer. I feel like Tevin Farmer would have won that fight, but round one he just switched off. If he didn't, I feel like he would have beat him. That's just my opinion. I probably underestimated Floyd Schofield.

"I know how good they are but I'm just showing respect, just giving the kudos. I know how good they are, but I also know how good I am.

“That’s the position that's in front of me. Only a fool would be like, 'Yeah, he's not that good'.

“I give people their flowers, man, because it makes me better. It makes me aware.”

[Taansend]

What a cracking bill.