WBO orders Noakes vs Mason for lightweight title

Undefeated lightweights Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason have gotten the call to meet for Keyshawn Davis’ freshly lost belt

As expected, the WBO has officially ordered top-ranked lightweight contenders Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason to meet for their vacant lightweight title, which Keyshawn Davis lost on the scales ahead of last weekend’s ultimately canceled defense against Edwin De Los Santos.

The two have 20 days to negotiate and avoid a purse bid, which is doable on paper. Queensberry and Top Rank are regular collaborators, so it really just boils down to whether they’re willing to risk their prize prospects.

Hopefully they do, as there’s a whole lot to like about this matchup. The two unbeatens have combined for 32 knockouts in 36 victories, with Mason (19-0, 17 KO) dispatching his last nine opponents in under six rounds apiece. All signs point to fireworks.

Does suck a bit for De Los Santos, but he got his initial shot on the heels of a loss and over a year of inactivity. An eliminator against an existing contender is probably for the best; maybe Gabe Flores?