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

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[MightyWarrior]

Such a polite kid Abdullah. He can barely understand what the interviewer is asking him, but just about manages it, too polite to say anything

The interview guy is pretty good though

[SeanBrennan]

Mason seems a lovely chap. Only 21 too!

[mickey1975]

Turki has just announced all future Riyadh season and Ring cards will be on normal DAZN from this card onwards. He said PPV is killing the sport!

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Turki has just announced all future Riyadh season and Ring cards will be on normal DAZN from this card onwards. He said PPV is killing the sport!

He won’t stand for it anymore.

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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

[TheLeprechaun]

Noakes is going to be shipping leather.

[forcefraser]

Noaksey will take a pounding here.

Got a feeling this fight doesnt happen

[skanksta]

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

I'll think I'll go with Noakes just for that - he should have T-shirts made for this fight.., for his life...

[Taansend]

Only six weeks to go. Really looking forward to this card. I need to get the day off.

Five quality bouts. Even the Beterbiev one might be a cracker. Nicholson's only loss was to a Cruiser who's won by KO every time he's gone the distance 13(13)-3(0). And all three losses were SD or MD. Saying that, Nicholson doesn't have a stand out win himself.

Really hoping Noakes can do it. I have it about 65-35 in favour of Mason though.

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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.

[JamesPhilips]

Turki has just announced all future Riyadh season and Ring cards will be on normal DAZN from this card onwards. He said PPV is killing the sport!

It’s on PPV now

[MightyWarrior]

This is a fantastic bill.

Interesting to hear the Stevenson Noakes sparring stuff, I hadn’t heard that before. Shakur saying Sam is a heavy puncher means he definitely is. This could be a very interesting fight because while Abdullah Mason looks like he might be superman, his chin might not be up to scratch, based on those knockdowns. We don’t know yet, but very likely will after this one.

4-1 favourite though

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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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[Taansend]

At the moment these two are ranked 6 (Mason) & 10 (Noakes) by Boxrec.

Shakur is number one & well deservedly too.

Tank is 2 but we might not even see him in the ring in a real fight again. Well, maybe in 4 or 5 years when he's broke or something.

Muratella is 3. Good fighter but I'd have the winner of this fight level with him.

Keyshawn is 4 & won't be fighting at Lightweight again.

Zepeda is 5 & has not looked that good in his last three bouts. There's no shame in losing to Shakur but Farmer gave him fits. Then Farmer got wrecked by Schofield. I know triangle theories mean nothing so I'd like to see Zepeda v Schofield next. Floyd is ranked 8.

7 is a Japanese fighter named Shu Utsuki who I know nothing about except he's 17-1 with 15 KOs & 17 of his bouts have been at the same venue. And all in Japan. Anyone know anything about him?

9 is Roach who is moving up to fight Cruz but who knows what he'll do win or lose.

11 is the bloke I think could be a future star of the division. Jadier Herrera.

Anyway, some good fights to be made for the winner here but if Noakes does win I'm hoping he's in with a good calibre of opponents unlike Nick Ball who fought tougher opposition BEFORE becoming a Champion.

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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."

[NoScoutingReports]

Belter of a card, this. Really hope there's no late pullouts, some great matchups.

[MightyWarrior]

Noakes seems a decent lad, head screwed on and get the impression he’s not gonna freeze under the lights, so could give himself a great chance.

The lightning speed of the American could be a shock - but Sam the man’s been in with shakur, though sparring entirely different we know. I must’ve seen him a few times but I can’t say I remember too much about him. I usually always sit up when it’s a big hitter in the ring, which apparently he is.. I’m gonna watch some over the weekend.

I’ve certainly been paying attention to Mason, but then he’s my favourite type: big hitter who’s been knocked over a few times, so it could be a weakness, or it could be a red herring. I remember Oscar De La Hoya and Andre Ward were knocked over early and everyone was thinking them fragile - couldn’t be further from reality..but Mason went down several times in one fight which is different.

Fingers crossed this whole card is holding together, so far so good - it’s gonna be one hell of a night hopefully it’ll be the American feed we get.

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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."