Turki Alalshikh’s November mega-show in Saudi Arabia just gained serious snap, crackle and pop. American southpaw sensation Abdullah Mason will collide with Brit banger Sam Noakes for the vacant WBO lightweight title on a stacked Riyadh Season undercard that already features David Benavidez-Anthony Yarde and Brian Norman Jr.-Devin Haney.
Mason, 21, has looked every inch a future star since turning pro midway through the pandemic; his blend of southpaw angles and concussive counters has produced 17 stoppages in 19 outings. Noakes, 27, has punched his way through the domestic circuit in Britain, winning and then steam-rolling through English, Commonwealth and WBC International straps with equal ferocity. Both arrive unbeaten, both boast knockout ratios north of 80 percent—and neither has been beyond eight rounds.
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The belt they’ll chase became vacant when Keyshawn Davis failed to make weight in June, giving the WBO’s top two contenders a golden fast-track to world status. Bookmakers will likely lean toward Mason’s deeper amateur pedigree and recent U.S. highlight-reel finishes, yet Noakes’ buzz-saw pressure and proven engine promise to test the American’s composure under bright Saudi lights.
Ironically, many see Mason-Noakes and Norman-Haney as the night’s true pick-’em fights, while main-eventer Benavidez is tipped to handle Yarde with room to spare. But card order aside, Alalshikh’s latest announcement ensures that November’s Riyadh gala now checks every box: star power, regional bragging rights and the kind of high-risk, high-reward matchup.
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