The boxing world is abuzz with the rise of the youngest champion, Abdullah Mason, who is just 21 years old. But here's where it gets controversial: Tim Bradley believes that this young prodigy is a problem for several world champions, including Shakur Stevenson, Teofimo Lopez, and Devin Haney. While these established fighters are approaching their 30s, Mason is already making waves in the lightweight division.
Many believe that Stevenson, Lopez, and Haney are the top dogs in their respective divisions, having established themselves as top 10 pound-for-pound operators. Stevenson, in particular, is widely regarded as the very best at lightweight, especially after his WBC title defense against William Zepeda in July. Lopez looks to extend his supremacy at 140lbs when he defends his WBO belt against Stevenson at Madison Square Garden, New York, on January 31.
As for Haney, his dominant victory to dethrone Brian Norman Jr in November has made a sizable imprint on the welterweight division, putting him above fellow titlists Mario Barrios, Lewis Crocker, and Rolando Romero in the consensus rankings. But here's the twist: while these three fighters are now approaching their 30s, the young and raw Mason is nipping at their heels.
Mason claimed his major title at 135lbs with a unanimous decision victory over Sam Noakes in November. Although we have yet to see him dive into the deep end of elite competition, Bradley believes that Mason represents a serious issue for any champion. In a recent YouTube video, Hall of Famer Bradley predicts a tremendously bright future for the sport's youngest current world champion.
"Not many guys win world championships at the age of 21," says Bradley. "That's rare territory. For him to do it in his first 12-round fight, and do it overseas, that should tell you already how strong, mentally, this kid is. Abdullah is still raw but, even with his rawness, and his toughness and his grit – and his skills on top of that – he is a problem. When I say [he’s] a problem for everybody, [that means] for everybody. That means Shakur; that means Haney; that means Teofimo Lopez; that means [IBF super-lightweight champion Richardson] Hitchins. All these dudes, they’re going to have issues with this guy."
With many expressing similar thoughts to Bradley, Mason is widely expected to remain at 135lbs, at least for a short while longer, before bidding to become a multi-weight world champion.
