Sam Noakes returns May 3 after close loss to Abdullah Mason

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The bout will be Noakes’ first outing since his narrow decision loss to Mason on November 22, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Their fight, contested for the vacant WBO lightweight title, turned into an aggressive contest that proved far closer than many anticipated beforehand. Mason secured the victory by scores of 115-113, 117-111, and 115-113.

Noakes (17-1, 15 KOs) earned respect during the fight for the way he handled exchanges with Mason. The Ohio native entered with a reputation as a heavy puncher who could overwhelm opponents during close-range trading, yet Noakes repeatedly held his own during the early and middle rounds. At several points, Mason appeared uncomfortable trading power shots and eventually began adjusting his approach.

During the second half of the fight, Mason relied more on movement and frequent holding whenever exchanges intensified. The adjustment helped him maintain control of the fight on the scorecards, but it also reflected how competitive the earlier slugging sequences had become.

One of the biggest surprises from the bout was how effectively Noakes matched Mason in those exchanges. The British contender had been viewed as the fighter more likely to struggle in a prolonged slugging battle, yet he repeatedly stood his ground and forced Mason to alter tactics.

Noakes, 28, remains well-positioned in the division despite the defeat. He is currently ranked #4 by the WBO, #5 by the WBC, and #11 by the WBA. Earlier victories over experienced opponents such as Ryan Walsh and former European champion Yvan Mendy helped establish his standing among the lightweight contenders.

The May 3 card will be promoted by Johnny Clarke’s Top Tier and streamed on DAZN. The opponent for Noakes’ return bout is expected to be announced closer to the event date as he begins the next stage of his campaign in the lightweight division.