Commentator Tim Bradley says Abdullah Mason is ready to fight for a world title now after watching him dismantle Mike Ohan Jr. (19-3, 9 KOs) by a second-round knockout in another show-stealing performance last Saturday night at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Mason’s Potential
The 5’9″ southpaw Mason (15-0, 13 KOs) has the power and talent to dethrone WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, and he would likely be the favorite against WBO champ Denys Berinchyk.
It would be difficult for Mason to land his shots on those defensive artists, but he would do damage when he eventually connected.
Top Rank is holding the 20-year-old Mason back, not putting him in with higher-ranked fighters yet, and seeming reluctant to let him face anyone of note. Mason believes he’ll get a world title shot in 2025, but that may not happen.
If Mason were to fight for a world title next year, he would have been fighting top 15 contenders by now. It would be great to see Mason fight Keyshawn Davis, Raymond Muratalla, or Andy Cruz in his next fight.
I know it’s not going to happen, but that would be the ideal step up to show if Mason is ready to fight for a world title. Keyshawn would reject fighting Abdullah Mason because he wants money fights, which wouldn’t pay. It would likely end badly for Keyshawn.
Tim Bradley Calls for Step Up in Competition
“I want to see him do it against the next level. That’s who I want to see you do it against,” said Tim Bradley to ESPN’s State of Boxing, talking about wanting to see lightweight prospect Abdullah Mason take on the top fighters in the 135-lb division after watching him destroy Mike Ohan Jr. by a second round knockout last Saturday night.
“He’s looking spectacular. He looks like he has all the goods; there’s doubt about it, but you still have to get in there.
Mark Krigel: “Who is the next level?”
Bradley: “I think he’s ready right now for a world championship right now. It sounds crazy.”
Kriegel: “It’s not crazy. Guys used to fight for titles when they were 20.”
Bradley: “I think this kid is.”
Kriegel: “It’s a very rare guy that can show you and doesn’t have to tell you. I asked him to compare himself to his contemporaries. I threw out names because I knew he would note. Keyshawn, Andy Cruz, and Emiliano Vargas.
He said, ‘I will put them all too because I’m not ranking them, but I think I would beat them.’ There’s something unnaturally composed about this guy apart from all the technique, which is pretty much textbook.”
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