Lightweight contender Abdullah Mason (17-0, 15 CO’s) is fighting against replacement opponent Carlos “Chinito” Ornelas (28-4, 15 COs) in a 10 round this Saturday, April 5 with the beginning of the event at 17:30 ET/14:30 pt, Live on ESPN+ of the Pearl Concert Theater in Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
Mason, 20, was originally scheduled to fight the experienced lightweight contender Giovanni Cabrera, but he pulled out due to a injury problem. Top Rank selected the Southpaw Super Featherweight Ornelas, 30, as the replacement opponent. It is not ideal for Mason because Ornelas is not as well known as Cabrera, but he is still a good option.
10-Round Test
Ornelas went the distance of 10 round with Rafael Espinoza in 2021 before later capturing the WBO 126-pound belt.
Boxing fans on social media are not happy to see Abdullah fighting against another man who apparently doesn’t have a chance to win or even be competitive with him. They want to see Mason accept someone like Andy Cruz, who called him this week for a fight, or Raymond Muratalla.
There is no way the top -rank Mason would leave anywhere near Cruz or Muratalla because it is still too early. Abdullah’s shaky performance against Yohan Vasquez on November 8 last year showed that the top rank should move him slowly. Vasquez dropped Mason twice in the first round.
‘This step-up fight too. He knows how to move his head and feet. He can hit. We will be prepared for what he is coming, ‘Abdullah Mason said of his fight against the replacement opponent Ornelas.
For Ornelas to let the distance with Espinoza, it means he can take a good shot. If he can hang there long enough to know the fragile of Mason, he may be done with what Yohan Vasquez started last November.
Moving forward
“This is my first official 10 round. Now you can call me a contender if I walk in there on April 5,” Mason told the Akin Reyes and Barak Bess YouTube channel. “I’m moved pretty well (according to the top rank). Giovanni Cabrera was a good stepfight, but he fell back. After this, I’m probably going to have a co-head or something like a former champion.
“We’re there. I am a ranking of #7 WBC and #10 WBA. So it is only a matter of time in the next two or three battles before acting in the rankings. Everything else comes with it, ‘says Mason.
The appetite for smoking never ends 😤#TORREZVIANELLO | Sat about 22:00 ET | @Espnplus pic.twitter.com/y9tqrccchh
– Top Rankbox (@Trboxing) April 3, 2025
Last updated on 04/03/2025
 is fighting replacement opponent Carlos “Chinito” Ornelas (28-4, 15 KOs) in a 10-rounder this Saturday,){kind=link}