Abdullah Mason Title Fight Headlines Top Rank July 4th Show

Boxing’s youngest world champion, Abdullah Mason, will make his first title defense of his newly won WBO world lightweight crown before a hometown crowd on the 250th anniversary of American independence. His title bout will be headlining TNT Sports and DAZN’s debut installment of "The Fight," a new monthly live boxing series.

Mason, 20-0, 17 KOs, defends against Welsh, former world champion Joe Cordina on Saturday, July 4th, at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center. The event, titled "The Fight: Mason vs. Cordina," will air co-exclusively in the U.S. on both TNT and DAZN, with global streaming on DAZN.

Top Rank made the announcement at the Rock N'Roll Hall of Fame Tuesday afternoon. In their official release they also announced a couple of compelling undercard bouts,

“July 4th is the homecoming that my brothers and I have been anticipating since before we turned pro," Mason said. "I’m ready to experience all of my city’s support in one building, and I have an appetite for smoke. So if you love boxing and you’re ready for some smoke, then the Wolstein on July 4th is the place to be. It’s a cookout at the Wolstein, and the clock is ticking. You’re all invited to your world champion’s first homecoming, and you don’t want to miss it.”

Mason captured the vacant WBO crown in a grueling, toe to toe battle with unbeaten Sam Noakes of England, last November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

As for Cordina 19-1, 9 KOs, he's the former 130 lb. IBF world champ, who won that title with a booming KO of Japan's Kenichi Ogawa in 2022. He said Tuesday,

“This is a massive test for me, but this it’s one that I’m more than capable of coming through with flying colors. Abdullah Mason is a very good fighter, and he’s going to do big things in boxing, but I’m going to mess up the homecoming. I’m looking to come over, rip the title away from him, and take it back to the U.K. It’s a massive fight for boxing, and I’m looking to become a three-time, two-weight world champion.”

In the co-main event, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, 17-0, 10 KOs, of Brooklyn, NY defends his WBC featherweight crown against Mexico’s Rene Palacios. The flamboyant Carrington is a tremendous self-promoter and said Tuesday,

“The Shu Shu Show is coming to Ohio for the first title defense! It’s The Shu World Order!"

Carrington demolished Carlson Castro for a 9th round KO in January and has now been elevated to full WBC champ.

Also, the night features Cleveland’s own U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson facing unbeaten Christopher Guerrero in a 10-round welterweight bout. Plus, rising lightweight puncher Deric “Scooter” Davis meets Carlos Ramos in an eight-round contest.

Coverage begins live at 8 p.m. ET on the national holiday.