Mason Storm: Abdullah Butchers Nakathila

In Norfolk Showcase!

(June 7th) Abdullah Mason promised to steal the show, and he delivered. The 21-year-old prodigy defended his NABO and NABF lightweight titles with a dominant fifth-round stoppage against Namibian puncher Jeremia Nakathila Saturday night at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

Mason-Nakathila was elevated to main event Friday evening after Keyshawn Davis failed to make weight, allowing the Cleveland native to make his headlining debut.

Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) started by measuring his distance with his lead right hand before connecting with straight lefts. Nakathila (26-5, 21 KOs) tried to connect with his signature right hand, but the southpaw had found his rhythm by rounds three and four, cutting the distance with the left hand and right hook before ripping shots to the body.

Nakathila survived the fourth, despite repeatedly being stunned by Mason. Nevertheless, the ringside physician waved it off at the start of the fifth.

Mason said, “It was a great fight. I knew that he had some power, so I took my time a little bit and broke him down.”

“We want to get towards those titles. Anything that can be worked out, I’m willing to make it happen."

Albright Spoils Davis Homecoming

Philadelphia-born Nahir Albright (17-2, 7 KOs) invaded enemy territory and prevailed via 10-round majority decision (95-95, 97-93, and 96-94) over Norfolk native Kelvin Davis (15-1, 8 KOs).

Albright had previously given Keyshawn Davis the toughest fight of his career, losing via majority decision in October 2023 before that result was changed to a no contest. This time, however, he came to settle the score with Keyshawn’s older brother.

The 29-year-old landed crisp right hands early, snapping Davis’ head back and forcing him to clinch. Davis rallied in the middle rounds and opened a cut above Albright’s right eye, but Albright continued to find a home for his right hand down the stretch.

Welterweight: U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (16-0, 7 KOs) earned his second victory of the year by defeating Janelson Bocachica (17-4-1, 11 KOs) via a lopsided 10-round decision. Johnson dictated the terms of the fight, forcing Bocachica to come forward so he could counter. Bocachica grew frustrated and tried to bait Johnson, but to no avail. Johnson continued working the outside and landing the occasional shot down the stretch. Scores: 100-90, 97-93, and 98-92.

Middleweight: Troy Isley (15-0, 5 KOs) retained his NABO title with a workmanlike 10-round points verdict against Etoundi Michel William (16-2, 12 KOs). Isley connected more in the exchanges and wobbled William with a combination. William, however, was slippery and didn't allow Isley to capitalize. Scores: 98-92 and 96-94 2x.

Welterweight: Six months after his pro debut at Scope Arena, Keon Davis (4-0, 3 KOs) earned a second-round knockout against the previously unbeaten Michael Velez (3-1, 2 KOs). Davis towered over Velez and used his large frame to neutralize Velez's offense before firing off precise counters, including a left to the liver that ended the fight. Time of stoppage: 2:22.

Middleweight: Dominican Olympian Euri Cedeño (12-0-1, 11 KOs) increased his knockout streak to five, notching a fifth-round TKO over Ecuador’s Abel Mina (18-4-1, 9 KOs). Working from a disciplined high guard, Cedeño applied steady pressure and landed a series of clean left hands that wobbled Mina toward the end of the round. Mina then retired on his stool.

Lightweight: Deric Davis (7-0, 7 KOs), who trains under Barry Hunter from nearby Headbangers Boxing Gym in Washington, D.C., authored a second-round knockout against Naheem Parker (5-3, 2 KOs). A counter left to the ribs dropped Parker for the 10-count at the end of the round.

Cruiserweight: Patrick O'Connor (1-0, 1 KO) entered the paid ranks tonight by punishing Marcus Smith (2-2, 2 KOs) to the body en route to a second-round finish. Time of stoppage: 2:03.

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