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

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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
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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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‘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.

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[Cent0089]

Good fight. Without Turki, these guys would protect their 0 for at least next 2 years

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Good fight. Without Turki, these guys would protect their 0 for at least next 2 years

Yh. Money talks.

Getting a lot more boxers taking on challenges earlier.

It’s not so much the boxers would protect their ‘0’.. it’s their promoters too

[Cent0089]

Good fight. Without Turki, these guys would protect their 0 for at least next 2 years

Yh. Money talks.

Getting a lot more boxers taking on challenges earlier.

It’s not so much the boxers would protect their ‘0’.. it’s their promoters too

Yes i think that too

Still, Turki is good for boxing. I follow boxing since 2005 cca, and i think now we get best fighting the best finally

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SAM NOAKES ADMITS ABDULLAH MASON IS MORE SKILLED BUT KNOWS HE CAN HANG WITH ANYONE

Sam Noakes knows that some fighters can get wrapped up in their own made-up delusion. Hubris, however, isn’t in his DNA.

For the entirety of his career, Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) has walked into the ring expecting to win. He’s also faced opponents where he knew many of the advantages were in his favor. Against Abdullah Mason on Nov. 22, at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Ring IV, that won’t be the case.

“He’s probably the faster man, maybe a little bit more skillful," Noakes admitted to The Ring. "I think we both got certain attributes that the other hasn’t got. I know what I do well, and I know I can mix it up with the best of them.”

His confidence comes from the hard work he’s put in behind the scenes. As a result of that work, he’s run through the competition. Patrik Balaz was his latest victim on May 10, stopping the longtime journeyman in the third round. That win solidified him as the WBO’s No. 2 lightweight contender.

Mason locked in the No. 1 spot after beating Jeremia Nakathila. They fought on June 7, at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. After stopping him in the fifth round, Mason waited patiently as the fate of Keyshawn Davis’ vacant title was being decided.

The Olympic silver medalist was stripped once he failed to make weight on the same show in which Mason stopped Nakathila. Even before the 21-year-old was elevated, many have been incredibly high on him. It has never been a case of if he'd become a world champion, but when?

That sort exposure has never been given to Noakes. Does it bother him? Not at all. Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) can have more supporters. Come fight night, however, he believes those on Mason’s hype train will realize they picked the wrong man.

“I think with boxing, hype is a big thing in it?" Noakes said. "Some people get hyped up better than others. But I’m not worried. I'm going in there headstrong, ready to get that title.”

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Ring IV: Sam Noakes Ready For Big Stage Against Abdullah Mason

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ABDULLAH MASON: EVERY TIME I’VE BEEN TESTED, I’VE PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS

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.

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Abdullah Mason opens 2025 as prospect, hopes to enter new year as world champion

A lot can change in a year. Ask Abdullah Mason.

When the calendar turned to 2025, Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) was viewed as a prospect. When 2026 comes, he expects to be viewed in a different light.

“I started this year as boxing’s top prospect,” Mason told Max Kellerman on Inside The Ring on DAZN this week, “and I believe I’ll finish off this year as boxing’s youngest world champion.”

The 21-year-old will get his first crack at a world title when he takes on Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) on November 22 for the vacant WBO lightweight title at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Although he’s never fought at the elite level, Mason is a heavy favorite according to some oddsmakers (minus-600). That stems from the style and substance he’s displayed as he stopped Manuel Jaimes, Carlos Ornelas and Jeremia Nakathila.

Noakes, who hasn’t fought a who’s who of opponents, being undefeated with a high ranking makes him arguably Mason’s stiffest competition.

Mason isn’t convinced that he’ll be pushed to his limit. As for what his future entails should he get the win, the Cleveland, Ohio, native believes fame and fortune are at his fingertips.

“It’s exciting for me,” he said. “I’m taking it serious and I’m focused. A world championship is a huge step up. Once I do this, it kinda solidifies me as one of boxing’s biggest up-and-coming names.”

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Abdullah Mason says he's Better Fighter after Getting Dropped Twice By Yohan Vasquez

Abdullah Mason might’ve needed the adversity he emphatically overcame 11 months ago.

Only two of his first 15 professional fights went the distance. One of boxing’s top prospects hadn’t encountered much resistance, either, on his way to knocking out 13 opponents by the time he encountered Yohan Vasquez on November 8 at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

When Vasquez’s left hook shockingly sent him to the canvas just 48 seconds into their 10-round fight, Mason suddenly needed to apply a lot of what Valiant Mason, his father and trainer, taught him. The composed Cleveland native dropped Vasquez with a vicious left uppercut only 33 seconds later, but the dangerous Dominican veteran caught Mason with another left hook that knocked him down again with 1:03 on the clock in the opening round.

Mason again recovered quickly from that second flash knockdown and composed himself on his stool between the first and second rounds. The powerful southpaw then landed a well-placed left to Vasquez’s body that temporarily immobilized him and won by knockout 1:59 into the second round.

Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) recalled during a recent appearance on “Inside The Ring” how he used the lessons learned that night to navigate his way to his first world title fight against England’s Sam Noakes next month. The 21-year-old lightweight contender has won each of his three bouts by knockout or technical knockout since his comeback victory over Vasquez.

“The knockdown just added to my game, because it added more polish,” Mason told co-hosts Max Kellerman and Mike Coppinger and panelist LeSean McCoy. “It allowed me to realize that I do have a lot more to go. You know, all I gotta do is listen to my corner, you know, take my time, you know, watch my opponent.

“And that’s one thing that fight taught me – just keep my eyes on my opponent at all times. Especially in the pros, anything can happen [against] anybody. Especially, you know, you're fighting a power puncher, you know, anything can be a power punch. Anything can knock you down, so just keep my eyes open.”

Mason’s emphasis on defensive focus should help him when he faces the hard-hitting Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) on November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Their 12-round fight for the vacant WBO lightweight title will be part of “The Ring IV: Night of Champions” card that DAZN Pay-Per-View will distribute in the United States ($59.99) and United Kingdom (£24.99).

Noakes’ knockout ratio (88 percent) is almost the same as Mason’s (89 percent), but Mason now knows how he’ll react if he gets dropped in a fight, rather than how he thinks he’ll respond. Before he faced Vasquez (26-6, 21 KOs), Mason hadn’t been down in a combined 94 amateur and pro bouts.

“I feel like [inexperience was] all it was,” Mason said of what led to the first knockdown. “You know, everything it taught me was something I’ve already heard, and it’s something I already knew. But, you know, as much as I hate to say it, you know, I kinda had to go through it to actually see it, you know, to take my time and keep my eyes on my opponent. And that’s all that was – it was something that it just added to my poise. …

"I have a lot to my game, as young as I am in the sport, and that just added to it. So, you know, it’s only up. Every time I step in the ring I’m getting better and better.”

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Abdullah Mason Motivated To Become Boxing’s Youngest Current Male Champ

Just four years and 19 fights into his professional career, Abdullah Mason is one win away from becoming boxing’s youngest current male world champion.

While the 21-year-old Mason’s rapid arrival at a world title shot may be surprising to some, that moment is one Mason has had his sights set on since he first stepped into the ring as a pro in 2021. The undefeated Mason will face Sam Noakes on November 22 for the vacant WBO lightweight title on “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“This is something we’ve been looking forward to,” Mason said to The Ring. “I knew the opportunity was going to come. We’ve been preparing ever since I turned pro.”

Cleveland’s Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) was one of boxing’s top prospects and elevated himself to another level over his previous two fights. The dynamic southpaw rolled right through Carlos Ornelas, stopping him in the sixth round on April 5, and he delivered another dominant showing when he stopped Jeremia Nakathila in the fifth round on June 7.

His bout with Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs), of Maidstone, England, represents the first 12-round fight of Mason’s career.

The 28-year-old Brit has gone 12 rounds twice and has been scheduled to fight 12 rounds six times in his career. Mason has yet to fight beyond the sixth round in 19 fights.

Mason and Noakes will fight for the title that was stripped from Keyshawn Davis after he missed weight by over four pounds for his first scheduled title defense against Edwin De Los Santos on June 7.

For Mason, November 22 is about more than just fighting for a world title. Throughout his rise in the squared circle, he’s had his father/trainer and four brothers by his side. If Mason can get his hand raised against Noakes, he believes it’ll lead to more opportunities for him and his family.

“It’d be huge for me,” Mason said. “I'd be the youngest [current male] world champion in boxing when I win this world title in November. It’ll open the doors for my brothers and for me to be able to do more in the sport of boxing. I’m excited for it, and it’s going to push us all.”

Mason, the WBO’s No. 1 contender, and the second-ranked Noakes will meet in the first of four fights on “The Ring IV” card carried by DAZN Pay-Per-View ($59.99 in the United States; £24.99 in the UK).

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Underdog Sam Noakes Happy For World To Judge Him, Once He Beats Abdullah Mason

BROMLEY, England - Over the course of 17 professional fights to date, Sam Noakes has never once been referred to as the underdog.

But with bookmakers agreeing that Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) is an odds-on favourite, the puncher from Maidstone has been more than happy to assume the role.

The pair meet for the vacant WBO lightweight title as part of The Ring IV: Night of the Champions event at ANB Arena, Riyadh on November 22.

With a combined record of 36-0 and a total of 32 knockouts between them, it is a clash between the two rising stars of the division. Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) is the Ring's No. 8-ranked lightweight while Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) is one below him at No. 9.

But 21-year-old Mason has been tipped as a man capable of climbing the pound-for-pound rankings and eventually becoming one of the sport's biggest stars. November 22 represents his first opportunity to win a world title in one of boxing's most competitive divisions.

In some circles, the 28-year-old Noakes has been written off in this particular part of the Mason story but he has used that narrative to fuel him during training camp.

"I'm the B-side, mate," Noakes tells The Ring cheerily. "I'm the B-side without a doubt.

"But listen, that really doesn't bother me at all, if anything it just motivates me more really.

"I'm not that much of a diva that I want to be the A-side and part of me doesn't mind being left alone. Let them make the fuss of him, it's alright, I'll be fine doing my own thing, working away quietly on what I need to do.

"If you're made the underdog, that’s only based on what someone else is thinking isn't it? I'll let them think what they want and then I'll change their opinion come November 22nd, don't worry about that.

"For me it's not as one-sided as the bookies are making it. For me this is a 50-50 fight and if I'm not on the ball and do something stupid he will capitalise on it but it's the same both ways.

"When I watch him I see a winnable fight for me."

Noakes has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in British boxing over the course of his six years as a professional to date. He famously won his first 13 fights inside the distance before needing the full 12 to beat the experienced Yvan Mendy for the European title in April 2024.

The fight between them was the main event on a Queensberry Promotions card but he has never experienced a fight of a similar magnitude to the one that awaits him on November 22.

"We have just been working away here," Noakes says of Al Smith's IBox gym in Bromley, Kent. “As the fight gets closer it is all getting a bit more real now.

"I think it will all really hit home once we get on that plane. As soon as we board that flight that's when it will feel real, when I'm greeted at the airport, when there are all the lights and screens during fight week, that's when I know.

"I'm getting excited thinking about it and I'm just itching to get over there now."



Victory for Noakes would open the door to unification fights with some of the biggest names in boxing but his bid for the WBO belt has been strengthened by the confidence gleaned from sharing the ring with one of them already.

In January, a month after he had beaten domestic rival Ryan Walsh at Wembley Arena, Noakes was enjoying some post-fight downtime over a Chinese meal on a Sunday night when the phone rang. It was Smith who instructed his fighter to be ready to spar the next morning.

Shakur Stevenson, the WBC champion and Ring No. 1, was in town for the Ring awards that weekend and wanted some work. Noakes finished his food and got an early night. The next day, the pair engaged in five four-minute rounds and, although not firing on all cylinders, Noakes left that day confident he was capable of mixing it with the world's elite.

"In hindsight, it couldn't have come at a better time really as it was leading into this fight," he said.

"Obviously I got positive feedback at the end of it so that was good all round. It was a good turning point for me because I had just fought and was sitting there having a Chinese on the Sunday and Al says I'm sparring the next day."

"I feel like the first few rounds were cagey but then obviously it was a competitive spar from then on, that has come at a great time. Now I'm looking forward to getting in there and having it again.

"It's a good box-ticker isn't it? Especially given the fact that I wasn't even in camp, I wasn't training, it was just after Christmas. So to hold my own in those circumstances has to be a good thing. We always knew where we were anyway and we know we’re meant to be here and get that title.

"November 22 is such a big event that everyone's going to be watching so when I produce the performance I think I'm going to produce then the world can judge me after that."

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Fight Week!!

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Joe Cordina Backs Abdullah Mason To Beat Sam Noakes, Wants Next Title Shot

Joe Cordina believes that beating Gabriel Flores Jr will earn him the chance to become a two-weight world champion.

On December 13, two-time IBF junior lightweight champion Cordina (18-1, 9 KOs) will make his American debut. The Welshman will fight Flores Jr (27-2, 8 KOs) in the Californian’s Stockton hometown. The 12-round lightweight bout will be screened worldwide by DAZN, on the undercard preceding Diego Pacheco-Kevin Lele Sadjo.

By the time Cordina lands on the West Coast, the 135-pound division should have a new champion crowned.

On November 22, America's Abdullah Mason and Britain's Sam Noakes will meet for the vacant WBO title. The attractive clash will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of the stacked 'Ring IV' card set to be screened live on DAZN PPV.

Cordina believes that beating Flores Jr will secure him a shot at the new titleholder.

"Well, that's what we're in this game for," the Welshman said during a Matchroom digital press conference to promote the fight.

"We've been told that it's a final eliminator for the WBO world title. So yeah, obviously the winner of this gets the winner of that and that's the way it's going to be."

Mason and Noakes are unbeaten, exciting fighters but both have significant questions to answer on November 22.

Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) is widely regarded as one of boxing’s blue chip prospects and the skilful, heavy-handed southpaw has already accumulated a lengthy highlight reel.

Former British, Commonwealth and European champion Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) is a relentless but deceptively smart marauder who - so far - has proven impossible to discourage.

A former British champion at 135-pounds, Cordina only decided upon returning to the lightweight division after losing his IBF title to Anthony Cacace in May 2024 but is well versed in the strengths and weaknesses of his fellow contenders.

He is expecting Mason to win but sees some potential peril for the Ohio based 21-year-old.

"I'd say Abdullah Mason," he said when asked to choose a winner.

"But then you see what he was like when he got hit on the chin by, I can't even remember who his name was [Yohan Vasquez dropped Mason twice before being stopped in the second round of a wild shootout in November 2024]."

"He got put over a couple of times and Sam Noakes can punch. I've never sparred Sam but even Shakur [Stevenson] said he's one of the hardest hitting fighters he'd been in with [during sparring].

"On first thoughts, it would be Abdullah Mason but I'd never I wouldn't put it past Sam to come out victorious and become world champion."

[handsofstone]

Fkn great fight this you know

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fkn great fight this you know

Going under the radar.

Tried to keep the thread relevant over the past months. Haha

[goose 5]

I think it's a mismatch-Mason will stop him in a one-sided fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Mum's the word: Sam Noakes on a mission to prove doubters wrong vs. Abdullah Mason

Sam Noakes has said his mum Sharon has been driven ‘mad’ by the negative comments ahead of his WBO world lightweight clash with Abdullah Mason on Saturday night.

But the Kent puncher insists everyone writing him off will be held to account once he upsets the odds and becomes Maidstone’s first ever world champion.

Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs), The Ring's No. 8-rated lightweight, is a significant underdog with the bookmakers for his showdown with highly regarded blue-chip prospect Mason (19-0, 17 KOs), one place below him at No. 9, at ANB Arena, Riyadh on Saturday night.

The 28-year-old has had no problem with people writing him off ahead of the fight but says Sharon, the driving force behind his career and that of his fighting brother Sean, is not quite as understanding.

“If you go on any of the posts online, everyone is giving me stick and slating me,” Noakes told The Ring in Riyadh on Monday.

“My mum has been going mad about it. But everyone will be held to their comments afterwards because I just think I’m going to prove them wrong.

“They don’t know about me just because I’m from England, a little town called Maidstone, it doesn’t mean I can’t fight. It doesn’t bother me, really because I feel like they just don’t know yet. Mason has been promoted incredibly well and he’s a superstar over there. But after Saturday, that will be where I am.

“I don’t take offence to it, it’s just water under the bridge isn’t it? They are just going to be wrong.”

Noakes is also certain that Mason, still only 21, will be in for a surprise once the first bell goes in the Saudi capital.

“I will 100 per cent be showing him something he’s never seen before,” he added. “I feel like my style, or me as a fighter, you watch it from the outside, it looks easy to deal with.

“I think once you're in there, it's a completely different kettle of fish. Everything looks easy from the outside, but dealing with it on the night, it's going to be a bit of a shock for him.

“I’m going in there to win, I’m naturally the bigger man as well and I don’t think that’s really what he’s seen before.

"He has probably sparred people that can punch hard, it’s not like he’s unaccustomed to being hit hard but I feel like, in terms of ring dominance, he won’t have seen that before.”

Noakes was also keen to point out that he is no overnight success given his march to this point began way back in September 2019 when he made his professional debut only a few months after winning the ABAs as an amateur.

He said: “Obviously it has not just happened overnight, I've been pro six years now, slowly working up the ranks, up the WBO ranks, and then that's why it’s not like I don’t belong here.

“Once it got made it starts to become real and now I've got 36 minutes or less to become champion of the world, and it feels unreal to say it.

“Every time I do a run or a bit of cardio or when I’m alone, doing them late night runs or them early morning runs, and you're thinking about it, and you feel it in your chest.

“I’m just so excited. It’s hard to say how I feel because you’ve got to bottle it down but I’ll end up booing like a baby after the fight, I know I will. I just feel like it’s been a long time coming.”

The Ring IV: Night of the Champions takes place on Saturday, November 22 and will stream live on DAZN PPV from 3pm ET/8pm GMT.