WBO has wasted no time reshuffling lightweight chess pieces after stripping Keyshawn Davis for missing weight. On Wednesday the sanctioning body confirmed it will order unbeaten phenoms Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes to battle for the now-vacant 135-pound title, giving both camps 30 days to seal a deal.
Mason cemented his claim to the No. 2 ranking last weekend on ESPN, when the 21-year-old Clevelander forced veteran Jeremia Nakathila to remain on his stool after five punishing rounds. Long praised for mature ring IQ and whip-crack timing, Mason now vaults from blue-chip prospect to headline attraction with a world belt in reach.
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Across the ring will stand the WBO’s top contender, England’s Noakes, a relentless body-puncher who has rattled off nine victories in just 27 months. The 27-year-old showcased his heavy hands on May 10 in Nottingham, stopping Patrick Balaz in a one-off visit to 140 pounds before returning to his natural division.
The matchup blends contrasting flavors: Mason’s slick mid-range sharpshooting against Noakes’ pressure and rib-bending hooks. Odds-makers are already leaning toward the younger American, but Noakes’ 88 percent knockout ratio hints at a live underdog—and a bout unlikely to reach the final bell.
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