Abdullah Mason will return home to Cleveland with the WBO lightweight world title strapped to his waist, defending his title against Welshman Joe Cordina at the Wolstein Center on July 4.
Mason (20-0, 17 KOs) is boxing’s youngest world champion since he defeated Sam Noakes by unanimous decision for the vacant title last November. The 22-year-old was greeted at yesterday’s official press conference by a volatile and defiant statement from Cordina.
“The 4th of July is a massive day for America but it’s also a massive day for boxing,” Cordina said, “Abdullah is a good fighter, but I’m looking to come f*** up his homecoming. I’m coming to rip his heart out and bring it back to the UK.”
Cordina (19-1, 9 KOs) poses as arguably Mason’s stiffest test to date. The former two-time IBF super featherweight champion is two fights unbeaten since relinquishing his belt to Anthony Cacace two years ago. A move to 135 followed Cordina’s first career defeat. The 34-year-old from Cardiff comes off an assured unanimous decision victory against Gabriel Flores Jr.
“He doesn’t know any better. When the bell rings, that’s all that matters. It sounds cool right now, but I know I’m going to have fun on July 4th,” Mason told reporters in Cleveland. “As soon as that bell rings, I’m going to have fun doing what I do. He’s not going to expect what I have coming for him.
“He’s definitely a volume puncher. He has some good offense, quick, and has good feet. I would say he’s well rounded in what he does. But everything he does, I do better.”
Mason will collide with his second straight British contender. The Ohio southpaw was given his sternest test in his last outing against Noakes, but was the clear victor in Riyadh.
“Just as the fight with Sam Noakes went down, I feel like this fight will set the tone for whatever is going to come next,” Mason added. “Me and my brothers in the city of Cleveland, we are putting on for the city. We are making sure that everything we do is big. We have a lot of support and we appreciate that. There is going to be a lot of smoke…we’ll call this one a cookout.”
Mason’s long-awaited return to Cleveland will be broadcast live on DAZN as part of Top Rank’s new multi-year deal with the broadcaster. Bruce Carrington will defend his WBC world featherweight championship against Rene Palacios in the chief support and brokers Ibrahim Mason and Abdurrahman Mason also feature on the undercard.
