Who Is Next For Abdullah Mason?

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Abdullah Mason scored a thrilling 12th-round technical knockout over late-replacement Albert Bell on Saturday at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mason, 21-0 (18 KOs), made his first WBO title defense after winning the vacant belt from Sam Noakes in November. Mason went from a prospect to an American star in less than a year and is clearly one of the top fighters in the division. A 23-year-old from Cleveland, Mason turned pro in 2021 and has had a meteoric rise, winning a belt four years into his career and now approaching fringe pound-for-pound status.

So what’s next for Mason?

Joshua Pagan

Record: 16-0 (5 KOs)

Why: A good up-and-comer from the Midwest

Pagan is a promising up-and-comer who has proven himself. He is on the cusp of a title shot and would be a worthy opponent for Mason in another Cleveland fight.

Jadier Herrera

Record: 18-0 (16 KOs)

Why: Holds a form of the WBC belt

Herrera holds the interim WBC belt and is very vulnerable. This would be an opportunity for Mason to stay busy against a highly ranked fighter who plays into Mason’s strengths. Herrera struggles with distance and often tries to slug; Mason has a ton of power and has yet to meet a fighter who can stand with him.

Raymond Muratalla

Record: 24-0 (17 KOs)

Why: IBF lightweight champion

Muratalla is a sleeper for “Fighter of the Year.” He returns next month against 2016 Olympic gold medalist and former junior lightweight titleholder Robson Conceicao. Muratalla might fly under the radar, but he is one of the best in the world, as his win over 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz was pivotal this year. Muratalla isn’t a fighter many call out, but Mason is taking a blue-collar approach to boxing, and they share the same promoter.

Floyd Schofield

Record: 19-0 (13 KOs)

Why: Facing a young puncher

Schofield stopped Tevin Farmer last year. He is a big puncher with big potential who has been waiting for a WBA lightweight title shot. Schofield is 23, and though he hasn’t faced the same level of opposition, it would be a fun battle between two young fighters (Editor’s note: The WBA has ordered Schofield to fight for their title in the fall in a fight Golden Boy is actively negotiating).

Lamont Roach Jr vs. William Zepeda winner

Record: Roach 25-1-3 (10 KOs); Zepeda 33-1 (27 KOs)

Why: A unification bout that pits the first two “The Fight” series main events against each other.

This is the best fight you can make.

Mason won the first TNT Sports card. The winner of the second event, between Roach Jr. and Zepeda, will win the WBC title and be in the main event. This signals logic and progression in the series. The first two fighters to win in main event bouts would face off next to create a compelling matchup and advance the division.