Abdullah Mason Interested In Challenging Keyshawn Davis For His Lightweight Title

Abdullah Mason says he’s interested in challenging Keyshawn Davis for his WBO lightweight title. Mason (18-0, 16 KOs) points out that he’s been elevated to #2 in the WBO’s rankings, and he’d like to face Keyshawn if possible.

Abdullah Mason vs. Nakathila

Mason is fighting veteran Jeremia Nakathila (26-4, 21 KOs) in a 10-round fight in the co-feature slot this Saturday, June 7, on Keyshawn’s undercard at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. The main card for Keyshawn vs. Edwin De Los Santos starts at 10:00 p.m. ET /7:00 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+.

With the way Abdullah, 21, has been performing, he should be the main event, not Keyshawn. However, Mason still hasn’t captured a belt yet, and that’s holding him back right now. Top Rank maneuvered Keyshawn into capturing the WBO 135-lb title last February against the much smaller and older 37-year-old Denys Berinchyk.

It was the perfect situation for Davis to win a belt. Mason doesn’t need to be strategically matched like that because he possesses the talent to beat any of the champions at 135 without the extra help.

Mason Targets Davis Title

“Absolutely. We’re both in the same division, and I just got news that I’m ranked #2 in the WBO. He’s the champion in that sanctioning body. So, it’s looking very possible that me and I will cross paths,” said Abdullah Mason to Fighthype when asked if he’s interested in fighting Keyshawn Davis.

As long as Keyshawn and Abdullah are both with Top Rank, I don’t see that fight happening. Their promoters won’t want to match them against each other, as that would ruin one of their revenue streams. If Keyshawn loses, his current popularity may never recover. He’s not exactly shown himself to be a risk-taker. So, if Abdullah exposes Davis like Andy Cruz did repeatedly in the amateurs, he’ll likely languish in obscurity rather than take the needed fights to redeem himself.

Mason Challenges Lightweight Champions

“But that’s with any of the champions in the lightweight division,” said Abdullah. “Keyshawn Davis, Tank Davis, Shakur Stevenson, and Raymond Muratalla. That’s the four champions.”

Of the belt-holders at 135, the only one that Mason would have a chance of getting a fight against soon is Muratalla. Even with him, Top Rank may choose to keep them separate because they would be shooting themselves in the foot by making a fight between them.

“I’m ready for the world championship, but just because they want me to wait, that doesn’t mean I won’t be prepared,” said Mason about whether his team or Top Rank will hold him back to groom him longer. “If they were to throw me in with a champion, I’d be ready for sure to get the job done and come out on top victorious.”

Mason should move up to 140 because he’s going to be boxed out by the non-Top Rank champions at 135, and he’ll age without accomplishing much of anything other than beating the no-name contenders. If Abdullah moves up to 140 or preferably 147, he’s got a lot of opportunities for compelling fights. Top Rank wouldn’t protect him or steer him away from the champions in those weight classes.

Main Card on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT

• Keyshawn Davis vs. Edwin De Los Santos
• Abdullah Mason vs. Jeremia Nakathila
• Kelvin Davis vs. Nahir Albright

Prelims on ESPN+ at 5:10 p.m. ET / 2:10 p.m. PT

• Euri Cedeno vs. Abel Mina
• Tiger Johnson vs. Janelson Bocachica
• Troy Isley vs. Etoundi Michel William
• Keon Davis vs. Michael Velez-Garcia
• Deric Davis vs. Naheem Parker
• Patrick O’Connor vs. Marcus Smith