Mason Cracks Ring’s Top Six After Brutal War With Noakes

Abdullah Mason (20-0, 17 KOs) is now ranked No. 6 in the latest Ring lightweight rankings following his 12-round unanimous decision over Sam Noakes (17-1, 15 KOs) to capture the vacant WBO belt last Saturday night on November 22 at Ring IV in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Mason hacks

At just 21 years old, Mason defeated Noakes in what was easily the most entertaining fight on Turki Alashikh’s card loaded on DAZN PPV. The scores were 115-113, 117-111, and 115-113.

Fans want it higher

Some fans on social media believe Mason should be ranked ahead of 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz, William Zepeda, and IBF belt holder Raymond Muratala on Ring’s updated 135-pound roster.

What may hold Abdullah back is his age and the struggles he went through against Noakes. He didn’t dominate that fight and had to box because of the punishment he was taking. The Cuban Cruz and Zepeda size drill could have been a problem for Noakes given their different styles.

The Ring lightweight rankings have been updated

1. Shakur Stevenson
2. Gervonta Davis
3. Raymond Muratala
4. William Zepeda
5. Andy Cruz
6. Abdullah Maysoon
7. Floyd Scofield
8. Denis Perinczyk
9. Sam Noakes
10. Lucas Buddy

The Ring’s panel placement of WBC lightweight champion Shakur (24-0, 11 KO) at No. 1 is a questionable move as he has not fought good enough opposition since moving up to the 135-pound division in 2023. Furthermore, he has not caught the eye in his fights against William Zepeda on July 12, 2025, and Edwin de los Santos on November 16, 2023.

Cruz vs eye test

By eye test, Shakur is not No. 1 material. The diamond at 135 is Andy Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs). He has looked the best of his six-fight career, displaying the skills, speed and power that sets him apart from everyone in the weight class.

Matchroom promoter Cruz will face IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratala on January 24, 2026 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Las Vegas. It will give Cruz, 29, the opportunity to show fans who have never seen him before why Nation Vegas rates him as the No. 1 fighter in the lightweight division.

Vegas nation rankings

1. Andy Cruz
2. Floyd Scofield
3. William Zepeda
4. Abdullah Maysoon
5. Raymond Muratala
6. Gervonta Davis
7. Shakur Stevenson
8. Sam Noakes
9. Denis Perinczyk
10. Lucas Baldi