It’s the fight that may have flown under the radar. But many foresee a potential Fight of the Year in Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes. Perhaps overshadowed by the headliner and the co-main, the duel for the first world title between two hungry and ambitious fighters makes for a compelling story on the Night of the Champions.

The 12-round fight for the WBO lightweight title, left vacant after the sanctioning body took swift action against Keyshawn Davis for missing weight, offers everything fans look forward to in a good fight. Thanks to a strong proclivity for early stoppages and a dazzling combination of speed, power, and dramatic finishes, both Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes continue to impress fans and critics. Many expect similar fireworks when the two step into the ring tomorrow night.

Predicting Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes: Who has better stats and a record?

It’s interesting to see how, despite debuting two years before Mason, 28-year-old Noakes has managed to accumulate 17 fights. His 21-year-old American rival seems to have done better with 19 bouts in a four-year career. It’s a battle between two lightweight contenders who have yet to taste defeat.

Not much of a difference in knockout-to-win rate either. If Sam Noakes stopped 88% of his 17 opponents, Abdullah Mason takes away the honors with a mighty 89% stoppage rate.

Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes: Height, weight, reach comparison, and more

Though Noakes’s reach details are unavailable, it appears in terms of height, he stands shorter than Mason by an inch. The American contender boasts a 5-foot-9-inch height.

Both Noakes’s and Mason’s last fights occurred within a span of a month. For instance, on May 10, Sam Noakes took on Patrik Balaz. He tipped the scales at 141.7 pounds during the official weigh-ins. A month later, ahead of the bout against Jeremiah Nakathila, Mason weighed 134.5 pounds.

For tomorrow’s bout, Noakes registered 134.9 pounds. Mason, meanwhile, weighed 134 pounds.

Fight prediction

Though Sam Noakes may have enthralled many with his knockout wins, there’s no doubt he’s stepping into a fight where, for the first time, he’s the underdog. From a reasonable 74% to a mind-boggling 98% chance of winning, most of the outlets seem to favor Abdullah Mason winning decisively.

Thanks to his explosive fighting style, Mason might be the star who carries the torch of American boxing in years to come. However, he has yet to face a prominent name. Moreover, the knockdown he suffered at the hands of the Dominican Yohan Vasquez seems to have exposed a few chinks in his armor.

Noakes’ last bout ended in a third-round KO win. However, the fights against Ryan Welsh and Yvan Mendy going the distance suggest a slowdown.

Style and strategy

Tim Bradley has a warning for Abdullah Mason. Ignore Noakes at your peril. Summing up the English lightweight champion threat, the former world champion stated, “He could be a problem for Mason. Look, the man is a linebacker. He’s a tracker. Yeah, a linebacker. He tracks runners. … He knows how to cut angles.”

A throwback pressure fight, Noakes works behind a strong jab and attacks the body. Well-versed with the tricks of the trade, he can work on the inside and engage physically if need be. He enjoys an edge over Mason in terms of fighting 12-round bouts. So if the fight goes the distance, Mason’s gas tank might come under duress.

Still, as Bradley asked, can Noakes really tackle the speed and tenacity of Abdullah Mason?

If he’s able to stretch Mason past the seventh round, something the American has yet to accomplish, then Noakes might have some chance. But in doing so, he’s well advised not to extend himself. Because Mason will punish him swiftly.

Mason could get past Noakes’ high guard to flush him with quick counters. Though an Ohioan, he turns on the famous Philly shell. So Noakes’ forward thrust could possibly hit a wall. For Abdullah Mason, the sooner the fight ends, the better. Letting it drag will only play into Sam Noakes’ game.

If Mason takes the lightweight title, who should he call out first?