Bradley Sounds Alarm on Abdullah Mason’s Punch Resistance: Can He Survive Sam Noakes’ Two-Handed Power?

Tim Bradley questions whether Abdullah Mason has the punch resistance to withstand the two-handed power of Sam Noakes in their 12-round fight in 34 days for the vacant WBO lightweight title at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. The event will be shown live on DAZN PPV for $59.99.

Can Mason Take a Shot?

Bradley says the experience of Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) fighting 12 rounds twice in the last two years gives him an edge against the 21-year-old Mason (19-0, 17 KOs). The Top Rank-promoted Abdullah has been blowing out the lesser fighters that he’s been fed.

Mason’s chin is a concern in this fight because he’s looked shaky recently. He was dropped twice by Yohan Vasquez in the first round last year on November 8. Then there were the comments Floyd Schofield Sr. said about how his son had “destroyed” Abdullah Maon in sparring. With Schofield’s power, it’s easy to believe. He hits too hard and is fast with his shots.

If He Falls, He Can Rebuild

The good news is that if Mason does get knocked out by Noakes on November 22, he’s young enough to come back. As long as Top Rank matches Abdullah carefully, as they’ve been doing, he should be able to rebuild.

“We’re going to find out if Abdullah Mason is for real. This fight is going to test. If he don’t catch him early and he don’t catch him often, this man, Noakes, is going to gain more confidence throughout the fight,” said Tim Bradley on his channel, previewing the Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes fight on November 22nd.

Mason’s bad habit of throwing uppercuts and body shots makes him vulnerable against almost anyone. Fighting him like that is going to put him at the mercy of anyone at 135 with decent power. Against a huge puncher like Noakes, it could be a nightmare for Mason.

Noakes Brings Real Power

“If he can get past that, we’re going to find out what the young phenom [Abdullah Mason] has got. Can Noakes take the power of Mason, and also vice versa? Can Mason take the power of Noakes because Noakes has dynamite in both hands, too?” said Bradley.

Dan Ambrose has covered boxing since 2011, offering trusted insight on the sport’s biggest fights.