Mason, 22, won the belt in November with a high-tempo victory over Sam Noakes and now returns home for his first defence. The Cleveland native has been moved quickly, and this discussion continues that trend with a recognizable opponent brought in early in his reign.
Cordina (19-1, 9 KOs), 34, is riding a two-fight winning streak since losing his IBF super featherweight title to Anthony Cacace by eighth-round knockout in May 2024. Since moving up to 135 pounds in 2025, he has beaten Jaret Gonzalez Jrz and Gabriel Flores Quiroz.
Cordina’s No. 1 spot with the WBO is generous, especially when you look at how he’s fared since the Cacace debacle.
The reality is that Cordina didn’t look like the same guy who knocked out Ogawa. The Cacace battle seemed to take away some of his invincibility. To pass Gabriel Flores Jr. scrapping in a fight that was way too close for comfort isn’t usually the resume of a top contender.
By beating Cordina, Mason adds a former world champion to his record, which looks good on a poster, even if that former champion is moving up in weight and possibly past his prime.
If Cordina struggled with the physicality of Flores, Mason is going to be a nightmare. Mason overwhelms people with a pace and precision Cordina hasn’t seen since the super featherweight days, and certainly not then.
It’s hard to see this as anything other than an upside fight that’s actually a downgrade in terms of real risk for the champion, Mason. Cordina has the technical skills to survive a bit, but he’s fighting a natural lightweight who is faster, younger and hits a lot harder than the guys Cordina has been treading water with lately.
From a business point of view, the game has clear appeal. Cordina is promoted by Eddie Hearn and remains a household name in the UK market, giving the event more reach beyond Mason’s home base.
The fight is scheduled for July 4, with DAZN carrying the broadcast.
