Abdullah Mason will defend his WBO lightweight title against Albert Bell on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio. This headline bout follows the withdrawal of Joe Cordina, who was denied a U.S. visa due to a pending legal matter in Wales.
Top Rank Inc. confirmed the opponent change for the inaugural edition of “The Fight,” a new monthly boxing series airing on TNT Sports and DAZN. Joe Cordina, a former two-time junior lightweight champion, reportedly faced visa issues related to a criminal charge involving an alleged incident at a Cardiff service station on February 27.
Visa issues force Joe Cordina out of July 4 bout
The original main event collapsed when Top Rank Vice President Carl Moretti announced that Joe Cordina was denied entry to the United States. South Wales Police confirmed that Joe Cordina faces charges of assault and threatening a person with an offensive weapon. He is currently scheduled to appear at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on July 7, 2026.
Joe Cordina addressed the withdrawal on social media, clarifying that his absence was not due to physical injury. He stated he had a “great camp” but that the visa denial at the U.S. embassy in London was “out of my hands.” This legal complication paved the way for Albert Bell to step in for the high-stakes lightweight clash.
Abdullah Mason faces fellow undefeated American Albert Bell
The July 4 event now features a battle between two fighters with unblemished professional records. Abdullah Mason, a 22-year-old southpaw from Cleveland, brings a record of 20-0 with 17 knockouts into his first defense of the WBO lightweight strap. Standing 5’9″ with a 74-inch reach, he has become a focal point of Top Rank’s lightweight development strategy in recent years.
Albert “Prince” Bell, who is 33 years old, enters the ring with a record of 28-0 including 9 knockouts. While boxing match delayed by contract talks are common in the industry, the quick substitution of Albert Bell ensures the Wolstein Center event remains intact.
Albert Bell has long sought a major title opportunity, and this domestic clash provides him with a chance to capture the WBO belt in his opponent’s hometown.
Broadcast details and expert analysis team
The event marks a significant collaboration between TNT Sports and DAZN, with “The Fight” series aiming for a broad domestic and international reach. In the United States, fans can watch the main card live on TNT, truTV, and DAZN starting at approximately 8:00 PM ET. The global broadcast will be hosted exclusively on the DAZN streaming platform.
The broadcast team features several highly decorated figures from the sport. Adam Lefkoe will serve as the studio host, joined by analysts including retired five-division champion Terence Crawford and Hall of Famer Tim Bradley Jr. Former two-time world champion Shawn Porter also joins the studio team, while Todd Grisham and Sergio Mora provide play-by-play and color commentary from ringside.
Full fight card at the Wolstein Center
Beyond the main event, the card features several prominent bouts, including another world title defense. Bruce Carrington is set to defend his WBC featherweight title against Rene Palacios in the co-main event. Both fighters possess 17-0 and 19-0-1 records respectively, adding further depth to the July 4 broadcast.
The undercard highlights several undefeated prospects across various weight classes. Tiger Johnson takes on Christopher Guerrero in a 10-round welterweight bout, and Deric Davis meets Carlos Ramos in an eight-round lightweight contest. The Mason family will be well-represented throughout the evening, as Abdurrahman Mason and Ibrahim Mason are both scheduled for four-round bouts earlier on the schedule.
Ticketing and venue information
The Wolstein Center, located on the campus of Cleveland State University, is expected to draw a significant crowd for the local star. As of June 26, 2026, resale ticket prices on Ticketmaster reflect the demand for the Independence Day showcase. Upper-level seats in Section 216 are currently listed near $78, while lower-level seating in Section 113 is priced at approximately $124.
Fans attending the event will see weigh-ins on July 3, which will be aired as part of the shoulder programming on truTV. As Mbilli presents challenge for Canelo and other top fighters eye the lightweight landscape, the outcome of Abdullah Mason vs.
Albert Bell will likely influence the WBO rankings for the remainder of the year. The winner will emerge as the primary titleholder in one of the sport’s most competitive divisions.
