Abdullah Mason is a future star of American boxing and, despite Saturday evening’s brush with tribulation, his last-round knockout victory over Albert Bell did nothing to change my opinion.
Flaws, you say. They make his rise even more entertaining. Plus, he learns fast when there’s even a brief suggestion of a setback.
Was the Mason-Bell fight stopped too early?
It took a while to put away pesky Albert Bell in Cleveland, but eventually Mason, somewhat satisfactorily, found the final blows to persuade referee Mark Nelson that the short-notice challenger was ready to go. Bell was hurt, his nose was bleeding, but a count seemed like the necessary option to give everyone a moment of assessment.
In the last round of a bruising 12-rounder, as the tide increasingly washed over Bell, who had already been floored, Mr Nelson felt it was time to wave it off.
Albert Bell had started the contest strongly. Utilising his height and reach, popping out the left jab as a range finder for the right hands. Things were working well until the seventh round.
That was when Abdullah Mason landed a big left hand. It snapped back the head of Albert Bell and appeared to damage his nose.
The champion chopped away at the body, reducing Bell’s mobility, causing his power levels to diminish even further. Without the pop and rhythm to keep Mason at bay, Bell struggled to reach the final rounds.
Aged just 22, having developed his reputation as a destroyer on Top Rank undercards, Mason displayed the poise and tenacity of a world-level fighter.
While the first half of the fight was a tactical affair, the second half became an increasing beating. Mason’s style is crowd-friendly, and a suitable crowd was assembled in Ohio’s Wolstein Centre.
Every punch and sway of momentum was met with a groan or gasp of anticipation. Whenever Mason bulled forward, or Bell powered down a little, the collective fanbase of over 10,000 suddenly rose from their seats along with the noise levels.
Bell stepped in for Joe Cordina, who was unable to travel, and proved to be a more-than-viable stand-in. Also an Ohioan, the 33-year-old had waited patiently for his big chance.
Albert Bell may not get another world title opportunity
Albert’s style meant he had been repeatedly overlooked. His effective display here will likely result in even fewer promotional phone calls for a fully paid-up member of the who-needs-him club.
As for Mason, he has proven to be reckless in the past. A thoroughly exciting brawl with Yohan Vasquez in which he was knocked down twice caused concern in some quarters around his defence and chin.
Last weekend’s fight was the opposite of reckless, allowing rounds to slide by (although not in the eyes of the generous judges) before heeding corner advice and raising the stakes.
Abdullah knew what his opponent was bringing to the table. The pair had spent numerous hours in one another’s company, trying things out in the sparring ring.
‘Bell wasn’t becoming a world champion on my watch’
When things weren’t going the champion’s way, he dragged up those old memories, made adjustments and figured out what was needed to prevail.
“He’s a great opponent. He doesn’t like to make a lot of mistakes, uses his reach well. I knew it was going to be a great fight. I just had to take my time. Much respect to Albert Bell.
“I feel like he definitely has the skills to become a world champion but I didn’t feel like it was going to happen on my watch.” – Abdullah Mason
We are watching a talented young puncher mature before our eyes. The flaws are being ironed out, one by one. Any slight vulnerability or battle with adversity is merely adding to the intrigue.
Building the legend a little more. Next time Abdullah Mason fights, the viewing audience will be a little higher. The crowd will swell a little more. That’s because he’s must-watch boxing TV.
