Mason Faces Firestorm As Noakes Hunts KO Statement In Riyadh

Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) says he may get a “highlight reel” knockout in his fight against Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) this Saturday, November 22nd, at the Ring IV event at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. The event will be shown live on DAZN PPV.

Noakes Smells a KO

The big-punching Noakes is already predicting that Mason won’t last six rounds against him. With his ruggedness and power, you can’t ignore what Noakes is saying. He’s a big puncher, and he’s built for war.

Mason’s Chin Question

Noakes is facing the 21-year-old Cleveland, Ohio native, Mason, for the vacant WBO lightweight crown in what many boxing fans see as a 50-50 fight. Abdullah has already shown a weakness in the chin department, getting dropped twice by the lower-level fighter Yohan Vasquez on November 8, 2024.

Floyd Schofield Sr. said that his son, lightweight contender Floyd ‘Kid Austin’ Schofield Jr, destroyed Mason in a sparring session. All of these point to a situation where Abdullah could be heading for disaster on Saturday. It’s a risky fight for Mason to be going up against a big puncher like Noakes this early in his just his fourth year as a pro.

WBO Title Up for Grabs

“It’s a massive opportunity. We’re both in the same position,” said Sam Noakes to DAZN Boxing about his fight against Abdullah Mason on Saturday in Riyadh. “I never imagined the [WBO lightweight] title being vacant. I always imagined me challenging for another champion, but I think it’s a brilliant fight.

Capturing the vacant WBO lightweight title will open the door for Noakes to fight some of the big names at 135, like Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis or Shakur Stevenson. There would also be potential fights at 140 against Teofimo Lopez or at 147 against Ryan Garcia or Shakur Stevenson.

Noakes’ recent wins

• Patrik Balaz
• Ryan Walsh
• Gianluca Ceglia
• Yvan Mendy

“Both of us have got good records. Both of us come to fight. So, I’m looking forward to it,” said Noakes about his clash against Mason. “Maybe a little bit. I think it’s more just work rate, just breaking them down,” said Noakes when asked if he views himself as a puncher.”

We don’t know how good Mason and Noakes are because neither of them has faced top-tier opposition yet. They’ve got good records, but the victories have come against non-contenders. Saturday will be the first time in their careers that they’ve faced a solid opponent.

“I haven’t got many highlight reels, but maybe I’ll get one at the end of the year [against Mason], maybe,” said Noakes.