CLEVELAND, Ohio (WSYX) — The 4th of July holiday weekend is packed with excitement whether its fireworks lighting up the sky or power punches being thrown in the ring.
Abdullah Mason, a native of Cleveland, Ohio and the youngest active world champion in boxing, is taking on his next bout Saturday at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center against Albert Bell.
Mason was initially set to fight Joe Cordina, however he was replaced by Bell in a last minute change due to Cordina being unable to obtain a visa.
Now, the match will be an all-Ohio battle as Bell is from Toledo.
“One thing I do want to say is, I’m the youngest world champion in boxing for a reason, and I’m prepared to show that when I step into the ring,” Mason said in a press conference.
“It was definitely unexpected. Albert Bell—that’s our guy from Toledo. But it’s boxing,” Mason stated.
“You’ve got to be prepared for anything, and I’m prepared to come out on top. Everything happens for a reason.”
The match between Mason and Bell is expected to be entertaining as both are undefeated lightweight fighters who also used to be sparring partners.
The fight card includes a co-main event featuring Bruce Carrington who will be defending his WBC featherweight world title against Mexico’s Rene Palacios.
Preceding the main events will be a welterweight battle with U.S. Olympian, Delante ‘Tiger’ Johnson fighting Christopher Guerrero and a lightweight face off with Dedric ‘Scooter’ Davis taking on Carlos Ramos.
The Mason-Bell match up can be watched on TNT starting at 8 p.m. on July 4th.