WBO sanction Abdullah Mason v Sam Noakes for lightweight world title

British lightweight contender Sam Noakes is set to take on American star Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO world title.

Former champion Keyshawn Davis was set to make the first defence of his prized strap against Edwin De Los Santos in his home city of Norfolk, Virgina, in the early hours of Sunday morning, but failed to make weight meaning their bill-topping clash was dramatically cancelled.

The 13-0 star inflicted a first professional career defeat upon former Ukrainian champion Denys Berinchyk to capture the belt earlier this year, but subsequently missed weight by four pounds for his scheduled clash with the Dominican.

It meant that Mason - commonly regarded as one of the biggest prospects in world boxing - instead took centre stage at the Scope Arena, and produced another masterclass to stop Jeremia Nakathila in the fifth-round to further enhance his rapidly growing boxing reputation.

The 21-year-old had hoped victory on the undercard would propel him into position to take on the winner of Davis v De Los Santos, however, the cancellation of that fight means he is now guaranteed a crack at the now vacant title.

His opponent is to come in the shape of Queensberry star Noakes, who has enjoyed his own meteoric rise up the lightweight rankings over the past 18 months.

The Maidstone-based star, who holds the British and Commonwealth belts, is also the WBO's number one ranked contender, and has been ordered by the WBO to face Mason next.

Speaking about the showdown immediately after stopping Nakathila at the weekend, Mason spoke of his desire to face the unbeaten Briton.

My message to Sam Noakes is let’s make it happen, let’s have a great fight for the world title.

- Abdullah Mason (ESPN)

"That would be amazing, it’s something that people definitely want to see.

"I feel like Sam Noakes is definitely a worthy opponent, he lets his hands go and he is very offensive as well. So that would be something amazing."

Queensberry promoter Frank Warren has since championed his fighter's claims for a crack at the WBO title on social media, saying:

"@SamNoakes3 is ranked number one and we will be backing our man to fight for the WBO lightweight world title next!"

The governing body have officially granted Mason and Frank Warren their wishes, with the WBO ordering Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason to fight for their vacant lightweight title.

While the proposed bout was all but confirmed, Turki Alalshikh took to 'X' to officially confirm the fight.

"A battle of undefeated fighters for the world title! Ring ambassador Abdullah Mason will collide with Sam Noakes for the vacant WBO lightweight title, as part of the MASSIVE Riyadh Season event in November."

Mark Mothershaw

• Queensberry
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