Eddie Hearn Calls for Abdullah Mason to Face WBO Mandatory Joe Cordina

Eddie Hearn has called for Abdullah Mason to defend his WBO lightweight title against his mandatory Joe Cordina next in Mason’s hometown of Cleveland.

WBO Timeline for Mason’s First Defense

Cordina became the WBO mandatory for Mason’s belt on November 22nd, 2025, with his win over Gabe Flores in a final title eliminator. Hearn wants Joe to challenge for Abdullah’s belt, as that would give him a chance of becoming a two-division world champion.

The former IBF 130-lb champion Cordina, 34, is willing to fight Mason in Cleveland. Abdullah has 180 days from when he won the WBO belt last November to defend against his mandatory.

The promoters for Abdullah, Top Rank, haven’t said whether they have someone else in mind for him to fight. He’s coming off a grueling 12-round unanimous decision against Sam Noakes on November 22nd.

Going from that hard fight into one that could be just as difficult is risky for the 21-year-old Mason. It would be up to Top Rank if they want to put their fighter through another potentially hard fight.

Hearn Pushes for Mason vs Cordina Title Fight

“Him fighting in Cleveland in April. But why not fight Joe in April?” said Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn to the media about wanting Abdullah Mason to fight his new WBO mandatory Joe Cordina next. “We don’t want to have a fight in between because that’s the problem now.

Hearn doesn’t have many options for Cordina. He’s 34, and he’s not young enough to work himself into position to fight for any of the other titles. He had a hard enough time beating Flores last November, and he’s not a big puncher.

Hearn Outlines Possible Alternatives

“He’s [Cordina] not interested in just a tickover fight. He wants to go straight into a big fight,” said Hearn. “Listen, we’ve got Andy Cruz fighting Muratalla on January 24th. I believe Andy Cruz will win that fight. Maybe, he [Cordina] fights Andy. Maybe we bring that fight to Cardiff.”

It would be difficult for Cordina to fight the 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz for the IBF lightweight belt if he dethrones Raymond Muratalla on January 24th. He’s too hard to hit. Mason is more hittable and better suited to Cordina’s slugging style of fighting.

“You’ve got Abdullah Mason as well. There are some other champions. But all he wants is big fights to become a three-time, two-division champion. That’s a great legacy. Winning a world title is a great legacy. And doing it twice is even better in two divisions,” said Hearn.

Cordina is already the WBO mandatory for Mason’s belt. So that would be the logical direction to go in because he’s going to get a shot at the belt or be elevated if Abdullah chooses to vacate.