Abdullah Mason’s maiden WBO lightweight title defense against Albert Bell on Saturday will headline the first boxing card on TNT in the United States after the television juggernaut struck a simulcast deal with DAZN earlier this year.
As a result, Mason, one of the sport’s top rising stars and its youngest male champion, will be exposed to TNT’s 70 million-plus household reach across the U. S.
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“The fight being on TNT, the first time boxing is on TNT — it just lets me know that I’m doing everything right and I just have to stay focused and keep doing it,” Mason said this week on Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show. “
Mason, 22, who captured the title by edging Sam Noakes in a Fight of the Year contender last November in Saudi Arabia, was set to face back-to-back British opponents after he was scheduled to defend his title versus Joe Cordina. However, Cordina was forced to withdraw from the contest just 10 days out because of his inability to secure a visa.
Instead, Cleveland’s Mason (20-0, 17 KOs) will put his belt on the line in an all-Ohio clash against Albert Bell (28-0, 9 KOs) of Toledo.
“I’ve definitely crossed paths with him [before],” Mason said of his familiarity with Bell. “He was at 130 [pounds], I sparred with him a few times, and he moved up to my division. I definitely didn’t expect this fight to be happening. I didn’t see myself fighting him, but everything happens for a reason.
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“It’s a great opportunity for him, and it’s going to save the day. Me still having a fight card and me being able to put on a performance July 4th is because he was able to step in as a last-minute opponent, so I’m definitely grateful for him being able to step in. And me? I’m just ready to get it on.”
Although Mason and Bell have a cordial relationship outside of the ring, Mason was never hesitant about the matchup. The lightweight champ takes the view that the pair can be friends before and after they step into the ring, but for the 36 minutes they stand across from each other in the squared circle, their amicability will have to be put aside.
“It’s a little awkward. That’s definitely my guy, for sure,” Mason admitted. “We’ve been in the gym, had conversations. I’m cool with his team, cool with him, his pops. That’s definitely my guy, but boxing is boxing. He got the call, he accepted the fight, so we’re going to get it on. After that, we can go back to being guys after the fight.”
Although Cordina withdrew from Saturday’s fight, he still retains his mandatory position for Mason’s title, WBO president Gustavo Olivieri confirmed to Uncrowned. Thus it’s likely Mason will be ordered to face Cordina after this weekend, or, in the absence of Cordina obtaining a visa, the next highest-ranked challenger, which is currently WBO No. 2-ranked contender Alan Chaves.
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Mason’s story bears a striking resemblance to that of Keyshawn Davis. Both men are Top Rank boxers who became world champions and were set to make their first title defenses in their hometowns with two of their brothers on the undercard. But Davis’ night unraveled before it even began when he badly missed weight and was stripped of his belt the day before the event — a fate Mason will look to avoid at Friday’s weigh-in.
For Mason, to be able to bring world championship boxing back to Cleveland for the first time in many years — and to do so with his two brothers on the card — is a dream opportunity.
“It’s something that we’ve all — not just my family and I, but the city of Cleveland — since we’ve turned pro, they’ve been anticipating a homecoming,” Mason explained. “For us to be on a card together, it’s something we’ve all been excited for. We’ve been talking about it. Cleveland’s been like, ‘Yo, man, I can’t wait till the Mason brothers are fighting on the same card.’ Or anytime I fight, they be like, ‘When’s your brother’s going to fight?’
“So this is that night when we finally get to come back home, and I feel like it’s going to be a huge crowd. Everybody is going to be full of that Cleveland energy because you don’t really get world championship fights in Cleveland. It’s the first in a long time, so I’m prepared to have fun and enjoy myself in the ring.”
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