Sam Noakes knows that some fighters can get wrapped up in their own made-up delusion. Hubris, however, isn’t in his DNA.

For the entirety of his career, Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) has walked into the ring expecting to win. He’s also faced opponents where he knew many of the advantages were in his favor. Against Abdullah Mason on Nov. 22, at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Ring IV, that won’t be the case.

“He’s probably the faster man, maybe a little bit more skillful," Noakes admitted to The Ring. "I think we both got certain attributes that the other hasn’t got. I know what I do well, and I know I can mix it up with the best of them.”

His confidence comes from the hard work he’s put in behind the scenes. As a result of that work, he’s run through the competition. Patrik Balaz was his latest victim on May 10, stopping the longtime journeyman in the third round. That win solidified him as the WBO’s No. 2 lightweight contender.

Mason locked in the No. 1 spot after beating Jeremia Nakathila. They fought on June 7, at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. After stopping him in the fifth round, Mason waited patiently as the fate of Keyshawn Davis’ vacant title was being decided.

The Olympic silver medalist was stripped once he failed to make weight on the same show in which Mason stopped Nakathila. Even before the 21-year-old was elevated, many have been incredibly high on him. It has never been a case of if he'd become a world champion, but when?

That sort exposure has never been given to Noakes. Does it bother him? Not at all. Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) can have more supporters. Come fight night, however, he believes those on Mason’s hype train will realize they picked the wrong man.

“I think with boxing, hype is a big thing in it?" Noakes said. "Some people get hyped up better than others. But I’m not worried. I'm going in there headstrong, ready to get that title.”