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A familiar foe will be standing across from Abdullah Mason in the first defense of his WBO lightweight title.
Mason faces fellow Ohio native Albert Bell on Saturday in the first rendition of “The Fight” series on DAZN and TNT.
Mason’s original opponent Joe Cordina withdrew from the contest due to a visa issue stemming from an assault charge, which saw Bell step into the main event slot on little over a week’s notice.
The pair have previously shared the ring in sparring before their impromptu world title clash.
Mason (20-0, 17 KOs), The Ring’s No. 5 lightweight, scored a unanimous decision win over Sam Noakes after a thrilling back-and-forth clash on November 22 to win a vacant WBO belt.
The 22-year-old from Cleveland became boxing's youngest male world champion with a career-best victory over Britain's Noakes (18-1, 16 KOs).
Bell (28-0, 9 KOs) was preparing for an IBF title eliminator against Andy Cruz on July 18 in California before accepting the call to face a familiar foe. The 33-year-old from Toledo earned a 10-round shutout in his last appearance, breezing past Keith Hunter on August 30.
Both made weigh Friday. Mason came in at 135 and Bell was 134.9.
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They said it
Mason: “It was definitely unexpected. Albert Bell, that's our guy from Toledo, but it's boxing. You’ve got to be prepared for anything, and I'm prepared to come out on top. Everything happens for a reason. I'm the youngest world champion in boxing for a reason, and prepared to show that when I step in the ring.”
Bell: “We’re at the top level. We’ve been in there with all the styles in the world. Cruz does fight a more moving style, I got some experience with Abdullah already. So just tailor the adjustments to that, and it’s really just about being in shape and being prepared. Boxing is all about adjustments.”
What are the odds?
Mason is a significant favorite at -390, while Bell is a +285 underdog, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
The odds are closer on whether it reaches the championship rounds, as it’s -150 that it goes over 10.5 rounds and the under is +110. Mason by KO/TKO/DQ is +100, and a decision victory is +200. Bell winning by decision is +1000, while a decision win is +450.
A draw is +1600.
Must-see on the undercard
Bruce Carrington (17-0, 10 KOs) makes the first defense of his WBC featherweight title against undefeated Mexican contender Rene Palacios (19-0-1, 10 KOs) in the co-main event. Carrington, of Brooklyn, New York, is The Ring’s No. 3 featherweight and is eyeing a unification clash in the near future. Both came in under the limit Friday, with Carrington at 124.9. Palacios was 125.7
Undefeated welterweight prospects clash when Cleveland native and 2020 U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (17-0, 10 KOs), who came in at 147 Friday, faces Christopher Guerrero (16-0, 9 KOs) in a 10-round bout. He was 146.6. Intriguing lightweight prospect Deric “Scooter” Davis (11-0, 10 KOs) opens the card against Carlos Ramos (18-4-1, 10 KOs) over eight rounds. Davis weighed 134.3 Friday, just under the limit. Ramos was 134.8.
Location
Wolstein Center in Cleveland.
How can I watch it?
The card will begin streaming on DAZN and TNT at 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. GMT.
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Abdullah Mason, Albert Bell ready for unexpected clash
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