Light-weight phenom Abdullah Mason (13-0, 11 KOs) continues his march to a world title shot along with his eight-round struggle tonight in opposition to Luis Lebron (20-5-1, 13 KOs) on the Prudential Heart in Newark, New Jersey.
(Credit score: Mikey Williams/High Rank)
If Mason can carry out a powerful efficiency, he may steal the present from the primary occasion from hometown fighter Shakur Stevenson within the title protection of his WBC light-weight belt in opposition to Artem Harutyunyan.
With Mason’s combating model, it received’t be troublesome for him to outshine the defensive-minded Shakur. High 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 match to him, and if he comes up wanting the younger gun, he may lose followers.
Mason, 20, is staying busy this 12 months to struggle 5 occasions. His match tonight in opposition to the skilled Lebron might 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 yearly, Abdullah Mason is on one other degree, but it surely’s one of the simplest ways to develop into a star whereas enhancing on the similar time. It takes ambition, which is lacking with many fighters. They earn cash after which wish to relax and revel 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 might 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 up to now. He has as many knockouts as I’ve fights,” stated 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 fingers go. We’re going to take our time and do what we acquired to do. Very thrilling,” stated Mason when requested if it was attention-grabbing to struggle a man with lots of expertise.
Lebron will hopefully give Mason some rounds earlier than he folds up as a result of most of the guys he’s combating aren’t making it out of the early rounds. Mason wants High Rank to match him in opposition to a few of their different fighters, like Keyshawn Davis and Raymond Murtalla.
“That may make for an thrilling struggle. Two fighters that wish to struggle. He lets his fingers go, and I let my fingers go. He’s not backing down,” stated Mason. “So, we’re coming to placed on a present. I really feel like I’m able to take anybody on with the proper coaching camp.
“We’re having a busy 12 months this 12 months. So, hopefully, subsequent 12 months, 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,” stated Mason about combating 5 occasions in 2024.
If Mason goes to struggle for a world title in 2025, his subsequent struggle in August will have to be a step-up opponent as a result of he’s not going to be prepared if he’s matched in opposition to one other lesser man.
“I’m simply rising and staying centered. With my brother and my father in my nook, it’s simple. That’s the objective: being a world champion,” stated Mason.