'I'm a contender now!' - WBO lightweight title challenger ready to shed prospect tag

Abdullah Mason believes he is no longer a leading prospect, with the lightweight insistent his title challenge marks him as a "contender".

The Ohio native will fight the unbeaten Sam Noakes for the vacant WBO title at The Ring IV in Riyadh this November live on DAZN PPV.

Mason has assembled a superb highlight reel record to date, winning all but two of his fights by stoppage and with an unbeaten resume.

At just 21, he has the potential to make history if he succeeds - and the star believes he no longer holds the tag of a rising talent.

"I'm a contender now," he told Inside the Ring on where he stands. "I'm going to be competing for a world championship in November.

"But I did start out this year as a prospect, and I believe I'll be finishing the year as the youngest world champion. It's exciting for me.

"It's my reality, so I've been taking it serious. I'm focused. I've been locked in ever since I turned pro. The possibilities are through the roof.

"I've been taking the journey seriously and enjoying it along the way. The spirit is there, the talent is there, and the possibilities are endless."

Watch Parker vs Wardley live on DAZN

Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley fight on Saturday, October 25, to become the WBO mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk. Watch the fight and undercard live and exclusive on DAZN PPV.

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