Abdullah Mason Admits He’s Been “Taking It Easy,” Says Sam Noakes Will Force His Best Performance Yet

Abdullah Mason says fans are going to see an improved version of himself against Sam Noakes in their battle for the vacant WBO lightweight title on November 22 in Riyadh.

Complacency Could Cost Him

Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) believes he needs to put more effort into this fight to win because Noakes (17-0, KOs) is a “durable” opponent. He states that he hasn’t shown what he’s capable of doing in his four-year pro career because he hasn’t had to.

Mason, 21, can’t afford to hold back and expect to beat Noakes using just minimal effort like he supposedly has done in his 19-fight professional career. The two knockdowns that Abdullah suffered in the first against Yohan Vazquez on November 8th, 2024, should have been enough to show him that he can’t afford to be cavalier.

Mason-Noakes will be fighting on the undercard of David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. The event is priced at $59.99 in the United States and £24.99 in the UK.

Undercard

• Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes
• Jesse Rodriguez vs. Fernando Daniel Martinez
• Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney
• Artur Beterbiev vs. Deon Nicholson

Fans Split on Mason’s Ceiling

Noakes is a big puncher, and he might be too much for Abdullah. Some fans are already saying out loud that Mason has a glass chin and can’t withstand the power of even low-level fighters. If that theory is correct, it’s going to end badly for the Top Rank-promoted Mason.

Admitting He’s Been on Cruise Control

“Everybody is going to see that I’ve been taking it easy. [Sam] Noakes is a durable and strong opponent, and I’m going to have to put a little more on him than I’ve done the rest,” said Abdullah Mason to Ring Magazine about his fight against Sam Noakes on November 22.

It sounds like Mason is setting himself up to look bad with his comments. You could tell he’s been putting in maximum effort into his fights, and still struggling at times with the sub-level fighters Top Rank has been matching him against.

“Everybody is going to see, ‘Oh, he took it a step further than he’s been taking it,’” said Mason. “I may have to bring out some stuff that I haven’t for the rest because he’s a durable opponent. This is a fight where he’s going to test something out that’s never been tested before.”

Written by Ken Woods, Ringside Boxing Analyst covering world title fights since 2018.