Abdullah Mason vs. Jeremia Nakathila: Who has the edge heading into their fight?

Abdullah Mason is not just a rising star prospect anymore.

The undefeated Ohio native is a contender.

The riveting 21-year-old Mason (18-0, 16 knockouts) will face his sternest test yet when he clashes with Jeremia Nakathila (26-4, 21 KOs) at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday night.

Mason has ultra busy, recording two knockouts this year alone — on February 14 and another April 5.

Nakathila, 35, rebounded from a knockout loss to Ernesto Mercado in November 2023 by producing three straight victories in his native Namibia last year.

Passing this test against Nakathila could have Mason knocking on the door for a world title shot in the near future.

Here, DAZN News analyzes who has the edge between the fighters heading into their bout.

Boxing Styles

Quick, powerful hands and highly efficient as a boxer/puncher, while being agile on defense — that is the total package Abdullah Mason presents from the southpaw stance.

With an energetic motor, the 21-year-old is relentless especially while working his slicing angles with the left hook and left uppercut.

That style will be up against the measured style and potent power of Jeremia Nakathila who is comfortable sitting on his lead leg while looking for the right punch to throw.

That Nakathila is susceptible to hand speed could be an issue, giving this edge to Mason.

Edge: Mason

Power

Mason can lay claim to being boxing’s best young knockout artist as 16 of his 18 wins have come by the stoppage.

The only times he has gone the distance it was during bouts set for six and four rounds, respectively.

What makes Mason’s power scary is the hand speed and accuracy that his punches are launched with.

Simply put: He is going to locate and hit his targets.

Nakathila, too, has power with 21 of his 26 wins coming by the knockout.

However, in marquee matchups against the likes of Ernesto Mercado, Raymond Muratalla and Shakur Stevenson, Nakathila had his power negated by better boxing, resulting in losses via knockout, TKO, and unanimous decision, respectively.

Mason is capable of putting Nakathila through that kind of pain.

Edge: Mason

Mental Warfare

Jeremia Nakathila is the biggest-name opponent for Abdullah Mason to date.

At 35 with 30 fights to his pro ledger, the Namibian boxer has 12 more bouts than Mason.

With that comes a considerable experience edge as Nakathila will look to derail the freight train that is Mason by using veteran savvy.

Edge: Nakathila

Who has the edge in Mason vs Nakathila?

Yes, Nakathila has an experience edge that Mason will have to overcome.

Still, DAZN News has the Ohio native with a 2-1 edge heading into Saturday night’s bout as he certainly possesses all the sweet science tools to deliver a scintillating statement.

Watch Fabio Wardley vs. Justis Huni exclusively with a DAZN subscription. Annual and monthly options available, more information here