Naheer Albright wants to fight Top Rank lightweight prospect Abdullah Mason next, and believes he would be the perfect opponent for him to “destroy” to shake off the rust after a year out of the ring.
Mason’s vulnerability
Top Rank is unlikely to allow Albright to fight Mason (16-0, 14 KOs) after his recent performance against Yohan Vasquez on Nov. 8 at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. Vazquez dropped the 20-year-old Mason twice in the first round and might have finished the job had he not suffered a leg injury.
Mason came back in the second round to knock Vasquez out, but up until that point he was fighting a one-legged guy. The fight showed that Abdullah doesn’t have a great chin and will need more development.
Albright (16-2, 7 KOs) has not fought since her bout against 2020 Olympic silver medalist Kyshawn Davis on Oct. 14, 2023. He first lost the fight via a 10-round majority decision. It was later overturned by the Texas State Athletic Commission and changed to a no decision because Keyshawn tested positive for marijuana.
Keyshawn made a big deal out of being stripped of the win and said afterward that he was going to buy a house to make himself feel better. He was lucky not to lose as Albright stunned him in the eighth and wore him down with pressure from the last four rounds of the contest.
Albright exposed Davis in that fight he didn’t seem like the fighter some thought he was, but that didn’t surprise die-hard boxing fans, who saw him lose to Cuban Andy Cruz in the 2020 Olympics. They see him as a hype job.
“I would destroy it”
“I want to smoke Abdullah Mason.” No one calls out Abdullah Mason. I want to fight him. His chin is questionable,” Nahir Albright told ISM Sports Media. “He could fight, but I would destroy him.” I know I would destroy it. Top rank must fight.
“To get the rust off to get Gervonta before he retires.” Well, I reject him (Mason). I shake off my ring rust and then pick up Tank. Right now. “No lie,” Albright said.
