Abdullah Mason vs Sam Noakes: Who has the edge ahead of clash of unbeaten fighters?

The two top-ranked lightweights by the WBO now have the opportunity to test their skills against each other.

American Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) and British boxer Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) will fight for the vacant WBO lightweight world championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and live on DAZN Pay-Per-View  tonight as part of the Ring IV event.

At 21 years old, Mason has built his fighting profile rapidly, already counting three victories in 2025 including his TKO of Jeremia Nakathila in June. Meanwhile, Noakes is coming off a third-round knockout of Patrik Balaz in May.

Will Mason be crowned a world champion at 21? Or will Noakes heap respect on his name with his biggest victory to date? 

DAZN News   analyses who has the edge between Mason and Noakes in this world title fight.

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Boxing Styles

Abdullah Mason closes and manages ring real estate between he and his opponents exceptionally well. As he walks them down operating out of the southpaw stance, Mason picks fighters apart with precise counterpunching especially in traffic. His hooks are sharp, landing with slicing angles around the guard, and he is able to adapt to fighters’ strengths effectively.

Sam Noakes pressures well, too, cutting off the ring with persistent movement. Once in the pocket, the British boxer regularly makes crunching deposits to the body and attacks upstairs relentlessly — both off the jab.

In this styles clash, Mason’s hand speed puts him ahead. That, and Noakes’ forward-fighting pressure with little to no head movement could be tailor made for Mason’s quick, crisp counterpunching.

Edge: Mason

Power

Where Noakes’ power is pressuring and relentless as more of the puncher in this bout, Mason’s power is more piercing. Both men count a knockout ratio of nearly 90 percent, making this category tough to discern.

The push here might come down to the hand speed and accuracy and Mason has Noakes beat on both.

Edge: Mason

Mental Warfare

Mason has fought outside of the United States once, while all of Noakes’ fights have been domestic in London.

Despite Noakes being 28 to Mason’s 21, the pair of undefeated fighters are relatively on the same level as professionals entering each man’s first world title fight.

Mason has demonstrated grit as he rose off the canvas twice against Yohan Vasquez before producing a second-round TKO in their November 2024 fight.

He has also shown the ability to grow as a fighter, especially with poise, through his bouts, with this weekend marking his 20 ^th professional fight.

That gives him the slightest edge in this department, too.

Edge: Mason

Who has the edge in Mason vs. Noakes?

Is Mason ready to become a world champion at 21? Or will Noakes prove he is way more of a skilled boxer than given credit for?

Both can ring true Saturday night.

But  DAZN News has the edge, 3-0, in Mason’s favor to leave with the crown in tow amidst anticipated fireworks during this bout.