At simply 18 years previous, Abdullah Mason (proper) already seems to be like the whole bundle. (Photograph by Mikey Williams/Prime Rank Inc by way of Getty Pictures)
Unbeaten light-weight Abdullah Mason has impressively handed every check so far as a professional.
Though it’s nonetheless early in his profession, one has to surprise how gifted and profitable can Mason be as soon as he hits the height of his profession.
Mason will face late-sub Mike Ohan, Jr. Saturday night time at Centre Videotron in Quebec Metropolis, Canada. The eight-round bout might be a part of the Prime Rank undercard that may stream stay on ESPN+ (5 p.m. ET/ 2 p.m. PT).
Prime Rank’s Bob Arum believes Mason has not solely but hit his ceiling, however has the capability to change into one of many all time nice fighters within the sport. The 20-year-old Mason (14-0, 12 knockouts), who resides in Cleveland, Ohio, has emerged as one of many firm’s stellar younger fighters after dominating and knocking out modest opposition so far.
“While you signal a child like that, you set him in his first combat, he seems to be actually good within the amateurs and he seems to be good within the health club,” Arum instructed The Ring in a latest interview. “However how will he carry out as soon as he’s an expert and preventing all of those completely different fighters? And he’s surpassed something we (have) imagined. He’s an incredible fighter. He could possibly be one of many all-time greats.
“I imply, that is early. Let’s see how he develops. However all of the elements are there. He’s actually very gifted. He comes from a superb household background. His father is a terrific man. All of the brothers are very supportive. So now we have excessive hopes that he’ll be a significant star within the years forward.”
The southpaw Mason final fought on July 6, scoring a formidable third-round knockout win over fringe contender Luis Lebron, who had entered the combat having by no means been knocked out. Mason dropped Lebron a complete of 3 times. In his earlier combat on April 13, Mason dropped Ronal Ron a number of occasions earlier than ending issues in 4.
Mason has demonstrated devastating knockout energy, together with his February 8 combat in opposition to Benjamin Gurment, scoring a highlight-reel knockout win in spherical two. Final yr, Mason fought 5 occasions.
The combat in opposition to Ohan will mark his fourth of this yr. At Thursday’s press convention, Mason expressed his hope to, barring an harm, combat no less than yet another time earlier than the tip of 2024.
Ohan (19-2, 9 KOs) has not fought since August 11 of final yr, when he defeated Harry Gigliotti by unanimous determination in Quincy, Massachusetts, now removed from his hometown of Holbrook. In his earlier combat, which befell two months previous to the win over Gugliotti, Ohan defeated journeyman William Parra Smith by determination.
Ohan has gained his final three fights since dropping by knockout to Delonte ‘Tiger’ Johnson in December 2022.
The Mason-Ohan combat might be fought at a catchweight of 137 kilos.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He may be reached at [email protected]
