Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes both had questions coming into their fight this evening in Riyadh, and both fighters answered those questions with violent aplomb.
Mason (20-0, 17 KO) out-pointed Noakes (17-1, 15 KO) in a fantastic action fight to win the previously-vacant WBO lightweight title, making the Ohio native, at age 21, boxing’s new youngest active world champion.
Mason showed an ability to deal with plenty of fire and roughhouse tactics coming his way, and also went past six rounds for the
first time, revealing he’s plenty ready to not just do that, but do it in a tough, gritty fight against a very determined, strong, and capable opponent.
The 28-year-old Noakes shouldn’t lose any reputation or anything with the defeat. Mason earned the win, but Noakes looked like a very real, serious contender at 135 lbs, too, and there were even immediate calls for a rematch, simply because the fight was so good.
This was an occasion where two guys came in and each raised their stock with their performances in a good, well-matched fight between a pair of sincere talents. If you missed this one, make sure you watch it back, because it’s worth it, and you’re going to see a lot more of both of these guys.
