In an exciting fight in Saudi Arabia, 21-year-old Abdullah Mason established himself as the youngest current boxing world champion. Mason defeated Sam Noakes by unanimous decision, winning the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight title.
Mason, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, demonstrated his skill by taking the victory with scorecards of 117-111, 115-113, and 115-113. This triumph marked the first time in his career that Mason faced a fight that extended beyond six rounds.
His opponent, Sam Noakes, from Maidstone, England, presented a formidable challenge, providing complicated moments for the young champion. Despite the defeat, Noakes proved to be a worthy rival in an action-packed fight.
The fight began with Noakes showing aggression, but Mason responded with his jab in the second round. In the third round, Mason connected a quick combination and an uppercut that hit Noakes, who suffered a cut above his left eye due to a clash of heads.
Noakes had a good fourth round, connecting with a precise right hand. In the fifth, he landed his best punch yet, but Mason continued with his effective left uppercuts.Mason regained control in the sixth round, and Noakes responded strongly in the seventh, hurting Mason with a body shot. Mason, recently ranked in the Top 25 Under 25 of boxing, pressured Noakes in the eighth round and targeted the body in the tenth.
In the tenth round, Noakes was in serious trouble, staggering after a left hook. The fight culminated with both boxers exchanging strong blows in an eleventh round full of emotion.
The contest, which was decided in the final round, opens the doors to future high-profile fights for Mason, who could face rivals such as Shakur Stevenson, Keyshawn Davis, Gervonta Davis, and Floyd Schofield.
