Lightweight pro Abdullah Mason will return in February against Manuel James on the Top Rank card. This is not a convincing matchup for the 20-year-old Mason, but it is predictable after his last disappointing performance.
Mason vs. James: A step back?
Mason (16-0, 14 KOs) takes a step back with this fight against James (16-2-1, 11 KOs) after his shaky performance against the veteran Johan Vasquez November 8 at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. Mason was knocked out twice in the first round by the 30-year-old Vasquez of the Dominican Republic (26-6, 21 KOs). Mason was lucky Vasquez hurt his knee in the first round.
Boxing Scene reports that Mason will next fight Manuel James of San Jose, California.
For those two who follow the sport closely, they know James as the guy that former WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero recently defeated by a 10-round unanimous decision on September 14th on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Rollie-Jaimes was buried on the undercard in fifth place from the main event. Rollie is using James as a confidence booster after losing his WBA 140-lb title to Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz via eighth-round knockout on March 30.
Manuel James was no match for Raleigh, who outplayed and outplayed him. Romero looked to be carrying him because he was able to punch him, but he seemed to stay in first gear throughout the ten round contest to get into several rounds. The scores were 99-91, 99-91 and 99-91.
Mason vs. James could be fought on the next card of lightweight contender Keyshawn Davis, as he is expected to face WBO champion Dennis Berinchik in February.
The beard question
Top Rank will have to figure out how to protect Abdullah Mason from being knocked out before he fights for the world title. Floyd Schofield Sr. recently revealed that Mason was injured by his son Schofield Jr. in sparring and that he thinks he has a problem with his chin.
The Vasquez fight would confirm that. If Mason’s shot resistance continues to be an issue, Top Rank will have to run him in the direction of a weak puncher like Shakur Stevenson and hope he can withstand the WBC champion’s accurate shots.
