Boxing
Road to Cleveland: How did Abdullah Mason reach first lightweight title defence?
Abdullah Mason will mount the first defence of his WBO lightweight title this evening against Albert Bell in his native Cleveland.
The star earned his straps last November against Sam Noakes, and had originally been slated to face Joe Cordina this weekend.
Instead though, it is Bell who will meet him in the ring - and the latter is determined to seize this opportunity with both hands.
But just how did they come to this match-up? DAZN News explores the last five fights for each man and how they fared.
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Abdullah Mason (20-0)
- Age: 22
- Fights: 20
- Last five: WWWWW
Still one of the sport's youngest world champions, Mason has shown little signs that he's content to stop at just one blockbuster belt so far.
Nevertheless, his rise has been impressively swift, littered with stoppages over Yohan Vasquez, Manuel Jaimes and Carlos Ornelas.
His win over Jeremia Nakathila teed up his title shot with Noakes - and though the latter pushed hard, Mason still came out as the winner.
Albert Bell (28-0)
- Age: 33
- Fights: 28
- Last five: WWWWW
Eleven years older than his rival, but still unbeaten, Bell will be determined to prove why he should have had this bout to begin with next up.
Momentum may have played a part. After beating Presco Carcosia and Jayson Vélez, he fought only once in 2024 versus Jonatan Romero.
Comfortable decision wins over Josec Ruiz and Keith Hunter last year made it a busier one. Bell will hope for further activity either way.
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