Press Conference Notes: Abdullah Mason Set for Hometown Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center

CLEVELAND (May 5, 2026) — Boxing’s youngest world champion is set to make his first defense in front of a hometown crowd on the 250th anniversary of American independence as part of TNT Sports and DAZN’s inaugural The Fight event, a new monthly live boxing series.

Abdullah Mason will defend his WBO lightweight world title against Welsh former world champion Joe Cordina on Saturday, July 4, at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center.

Today, the City of Cleveland and Top Rank hosted a kickoff press conference at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to announce the event. Mason was joined by Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Top Rank VP of Boxing Operations Carl Moretti, WBC featherweight world champion Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, and Cleveland native and U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson.

The Fight: Mason vs. Cordina will be broadcast on TNT and DAZN co-exclusively in the US and on DAZN Worldwide.

In the co-feature, Carrington (17-0, 10 KOs) puts his WBC featherweight world title on the line against Mexico’s Rene Palacios (19-0-1, 10 KOs).

Additionally, Tiger (17-0, 8 KOs) takes on fellow unbeaten Christopher Guerrero (16-0, 9 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight battle.

And undefeated lightweight knockout artist Deric “Scooter” Davis (11-0, 10 KOs) returns in an eight-round clash against Carlos Ramos (18-4-1, 10 KOs).

The Mason-Cordina, Carrington-Palacios, Tiger-Guerrero and Davis-Ramos fights will be broadcast LIVE beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, tickets go on sale Friday, May 8, at 12 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.

This is what the press conference participants had to say Tuesday.

Abdullah Mason

On Cordina’s statement on the fight…

“He doesn't know any better. When the bell rings, that’s all that matters. It sounds cool right now, but I know I’m going to have fun on July 4th. As soon as that bell rings, I’m going to have fun doing what I do. He's not going to expect what I have coming for him.”

On his fight with Sam Noakes…

“Just as the fight with Sam Noakes went down, I feel like this fight will set the tone for whatever is going to come next. Me and my brothers in the city of Cleveland, we are putting on for the city. We are making sure that everything we do is big. We have a lot of support and we appreciate that. There is going to be a lot of smoke…we’ll call this one a cookout.”

On the best memories that shaped his boxing career…

“I’ve been in the gym and training with my brothers since I was nine years old. My memories are always training with them and giving me that support and making me do better inside and outside of the ring. Fifteen fights ago they were saying ‘this next fight is going to be in Cleveland, this next fight is going to be in Cleveland’, and now it's in Cleveland.”

On fighting in his hometown of Cleveland…

“I’m really appreciative of Cleveland. The city always comes out, the Mayor always shows support. We’re ready to get it on. We are ready for everybody to grab their tickets as soon as they go on sale.”

On if he can be locked in while watching other people…

"I know for sure every time I step in the ring and that bell goes off, I’m ready. Whenever I step into that ring and the lights come on, I’m ready. Joe may see what he sees, but he doesn't know what he has coming.”

On what he has seen from Joe Cordina…

“He’s definitely a volume puncher. He has some good offense, quick, and has good feet. I would say he’s well rounded in what he does. But everything he does, I do better.” 

On if he thinks he could be the second person to stop Cordina… 

“For sure. I’m just here to have a lot of fun. I’m not going to tell you how it’s going to go down, I know July 4th, I’m going to enjoy it just as much as Cleveland is going to enjoy it.”

Joe Cordina

On his excitement for this fight…

“The 4th of July is a massive day for America but it’s also a massive day for boxing. Abdullah is a good fighter, but I’m looking to come f*** up his homecoming. I’m coming to rip his heart out and bring it back to the UK.”

Tiger Johnson

On fighting in Cleveland…

“It means everything, it's a dream come true. It’s something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a little kid. In Cleveland, we breed killers. We bring some of the best boxers in history. It’s hard to make it out of Cleveland. If you make it out of there, you can make it anywhere.”

Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington

On reflecting on his recent fight…

“Seeing how the fans took it, I would give it a solid eight. The fighter in me wanted complete dominance, but it just added to the story of it and made it more memorable.”

On fighting in Cleveland…

“We are no stranger to collaborating in Cleveland. Cleveland and Brooklyn both have notorious thugs. Right now it’s the perfect time to introduce myself to a place I’ve never fought in before.”

On what he is looking to show in this fight… 

“Every single fight I have is a statement made. I feel like this is one of those things to show people why I am a champion. Even though I have this title, a real champion is someone who can defend it successfully.”

On what he is expecting come fight night… 

“The Shu Shu Show is going to be bringing fireworks as everyone knows.”

On wanting to fight people in his weight class… 

“At the end of the day, I just want to be the best. And I will be. I will be the first undisputed featherweight champion in this era. Put that in the history books.”

Carl Moretti, Vice President, Boxing Operations, Top Rank

On the importance of bringing a fight card of this caliber to Cleveland… 

“Top Rank has had a long history of building guys in their hometown and there is nothing better than doing that. There’s a lot of fireworks on July 4th, but the real fireworks will be inside at the Wolstein Center.”

On Tiger returning to Cleveland…

“He showed us something we haven’t seen before, but we knew he had it in him. There’s a reason why there’s a belt around his waist and he proved it.” 

On Top Rank’s young talent…

“For Tiger Johnson, he's 17 and 0 coming off his best win, in a division where a lot of champions are not fighting and just talking off the internet, Tiger said I’m going to fight. Put in front of me whoever you want.”

Justin M. Bibb, Cleveland Mayor

On having championship boxing back in Cleveland…

“I feel really excited that we have the world’s youngest champ, defending his title in the great city of Cleveland. I’m excited to showcase that greatness lies in our city – it’s a dream come true as the mayor of this great city.”

On if he has been following Cleveland’s fighters’ careers…

“I remember watching the fight [Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes] last year trying to find it online when you were fighting in the middle east. Cleveland has a long storied history of great boxers and I am excited to spread the excitement around the city as we prepare for July 4th.”

On building fighters in the city of Cleveland…

“I think people don’t realize how Cleveland has influenced boxing and the sport of boxing for years, and now people are starting to notice. Especially come July 4th as we not only celebrate 250 years of America, but it’s also Cleveland’s 230th birthday. To the native sons of Cleveland – Abdullah and Tiger – I need you both to give me a win to celebrate Cleveland’s 230th birthday come July 4th.”