Light-weight phenom Abdullah Mason (13-0, 11 KOs) continues his march to a world title shot together with his eight-round struggle tonight towards Luis Lebron (20-5-1, 13 KOs) on the Prudential Heart in Newark, New Jersey.
(Credit score: Mikey Williams/Prime Rank)
If Mason can carry out a powerful efficiency, he might steal the present from the primary occasion from hometown fighter Shakur Stevenson within the title protection of his WBC light-weight belt towards Artem Harutyunyan.
With Mason’s combating fashion, it gained’t be troublesome for him to outshine the defensive-minded Shakur. Prime Rank did Shakur no favors by placing the gifted Abdullah Mason on his undercard as a result of it’ll give the followers a fighter to check to him, and if he comes up wanting the younger gun, he might lose followers.
Mason, 20, is staying busy this yr to struggle 5 occasions. His match tonight towards the skilled Lebron will likely be his third struggle in 2024, and he has a fourth struggle scheduled for August seventeenth in Quebec Metropolis.
In comparison with fighters who solely compete every year, Abdullah Mason is on one other degree, but it surely’s one of the simplest ways to grow to be a star whereas bettering on the identical time. It takes ambition, which is lacking with many fighters. They become profitable after which wish to relax and luxuriate in it.
Mason weighed in at 134.8 lbs at Friday’s weigh-in. Lebron got here in at 135.8 lbs. Tonight’s occasion will likely be proven on ESPN and ESPN+, starting at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT)
“He’s essentially the most seasoned individual I’ve fought to this point. He has as many knockouts as I’ve fights,” mentioned Abdullah Mason on the Goforit YouTube channel about his opponent for his eight-round Saturday night time, Luis Lebron.
“We’re not going to miss him. He’s coming to struggle and goes to let his palms go. We’re going to take our time and do what we obtained to do. Very thrilling,” mentioned Mason when requested if it was attention-grabbing to struggle a man with a variety of expertise.
Lebron will hopefully give Mason some rounds earlier than he folds up as a result of lots of the guys he’s combating aren’t making it out of the early rounds. Mason wants Prime Rank to match him towards a few of their different fighters, like Keyshawn Davis and Raymond Murtalla.
“That may make for an thrilling struggle. Two fighters that prefer to struggle. He lets his palms go, and I let my palms go. He’s not backing down,” mentioned Mason. “So, we’re coming to placed on a present. I really feel like I’m able to take anybody on with the appropriate coaching camp.
“We’re having a busy yr this yr. So, hopefully, subsequent yr, I’ll be prepared for a world championship. I’m comfy being that busy. If I wasn’t comfy, I wouldn’t be doing it,” mentioned Mason about combating 5 occasions in 2024.
If Mason goes to struggle for a world title in 2025, his subsequent struggle in August will must be a step-up opponent as a result of he’s not going to be prepared if he’s matched towards one other lesser man.
“I’m simply rising and staying targeted. With my brother and my father in my nook, it’s simple. That’s the purpose: being a world champion,” mentioned Mason.