WBO World Lightweight Challenge
Last night’s Top Rank/TNT/DAZN Main Event was an intriguing bout as it unraveled for the hometown WBO World Lightweight Champion Abdullah Mason (21-0, 18 Kos) who had to defend his title for the first time against late replacement undefeated challenger Albert Bell (28-1, 9 Kos) at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland.
Bell understood what was presented to him at the last minute and accepted the opportunity with open arms. He then proceeded to box beautifully in the first half of the bout where he visibly and effortlessly outworked the champion by being one step ahead of him in every department.
That being said, the youngin Mason never wavered. Mason stayed cool, disciplined and patiently waited for his opportunity to strike like the “Black Mamba’ and that he did when he drew first blood by damaging Bell’s nose in the eighth round.
With Bell’s nose hindering his breathing and clearly breaking his focus, the fatigue started to show as Mason starting to press the action and his punch output working over Bell as the rounds progressed.
By the championship rounds, Bell wasn’t looking himself inside that squared circle but still pushed to stand his ground while slowly being broken down. By the 12th round the fans in attendance became alive in the building and fuelled their champion who moved in on Bell and knocked him down with a barrage of punches and a well-placed body and chin shot that gave him a standing 8 count. Still visibly in pain, Bell continued only to be dropped again by another well-placed left hand to the dome. Although Bell did not show signs of quitting the referee at hand took the opportunity to wave the fight off. Unbelievable.
I understand that Bell looked deflated but stopping the bout with 45 seconds left in the round after the man fought his heart out is suspect in my eyes.
Nevertheless, Mason listened to his cornerman and proceeded to close the show and retain his WBO World Lightweight Championship Title.
Well done, Champ!
Blaze