Abdullah Mason says fans will see an improved version of himself against Sam Noakes in their fight for the vacant WBO lightweight title on November 22 in Riyadh.
Complacency can cost Him
Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) believes he needs to put more effort into this fight to win, as Noakes (17-0, KOs) is a “durable” opponent. He states that he has not shown what he is capable of in his four year professional career because he did not have to.
Mason, 21, cannot afford to hold back and expect to beat Noakes with minimal effort as he has apparently done in his 19-fight professional career. The two knocks Abdullah suffered in the first round against Yohan Vazquez on November 8, 2024 should have been enough to show him that he cannot afford to be cavalier.
Mason-Noakes will fight Anthony Yarde on the undercard of David Benavidez at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. The event costs $59.99 in the United States and £24.99 in the United Kingdom.
Undercard
- Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes
- Jesse Rodriguez vs. Fernando Daniel Martinez
- Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney
- Artur Beterbiev vs Deon Nicholson
Fans split on Mason’s Ceiling
Noakes is a big puncher, and he may be too much for Abdullah. Some fans are already saying out loud that Mason has a glass chin and cannot withstand the power of even low-level fighters. If that theory is correct, it’s going to end badly for the Top Rank promoted Mason.
Admit he was on cruise control
“Everybody’s going to see that I took it easy. (Sam) Noakes is a durable and strong opponent, and I’ll have to put a little more on him than I did the rest,” Abdullah Mason said. Ring Magazine about his fight against Sam Noakes on November 22.
It sounds like Mason is setting himself up to look bad with his comments. You can tell he has put maximum effort into his fights, and still struggles with the sub-level fighters that Top Rank matches him against.
“Everybody’s going to see, ‘Oh, he took it a step further than he took it,'” Mason said. “I might have to bring out some things that I don’t have for the rest because he’s a durable opponent. This is a fight where he’s going to test something that’s never been tested before.”
Written by Ken Woods, Ringside Boxing Analyst covering world title fights since 2018.
Last updated on 16/10/2025
