Briton Sam Noakes put in a gutsy performance but fell short in his bid to become lightweight world champion, losing on points to Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO title in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
In a thrilling and close contest between two unbeaten stars, Noakes, 28, was hampered by a bloodied left eye after a clash of heads in the third round but kept coming forward, landing thudding punches on the inside.<\/p>\n
It was the eye-catching uppercuts and slick long-range boxing from 21-year-old southpaw Mason, however, that made the difference, as he upped the tempo in the second half.<\/p>\n
Mason rocked Noakes in the 10th, but the Maidstone fighter clung on and fought back valiantly until the final bell.<\/p>\n
With scores of 117-111, 115-113, 115-113, American Mason claims his 20th pro win and becomes the youngest reigning male world champion.<\/p>\n
Noakes had hoped to cap his remarkable rise from supermarket jobs, roofing, and railway work to world champion.<\/p>\n
He suffers the first defeat of his career after 17 straight wins, including 15 stoppages, but in a fight-of-the-year contender, he proved he belongs at the top level and will have earned himself a fanbase around the world.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Devin Haney became a three-weight world champion with a points victory over Brian Norman Jr to claim the WBO welterweight belt. Haney dropped the champion in the second round and cruised to a dominant decision.<\/p>\n