Abdullah Mason vs. Carlos Ornelas

It’s a punch-up at the Pearl in the Palms.

April 5th, live from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Top Rank contender Abdullah Mason will battle Mexican southpaw Carlos "Chinito" Ornelas over 10 rounds or fewer.

The bout will be one of the undercard bouts to the Richard Torres Jr. vs. Guido Vianello 10-round, heavyweight main event.

Mason (17-0, 15 KOs) will look to add the Ornelas name to his impressive, undefeated resume. While Mason will certainly be the favorite going in, it is a step-up fight for sure as Ornelas has been in a long list of top competition. 

Ornelas (28-4, 15 KOs) is coming in off a decision win over the previously undefeated (16-0-1) David Moreno Potrero.

In a fight last November, Mason did find himself on the canvas twice, but he got up and came back to win the fight. He can’t sleep on Ornelas’ power as he has stopped 15 of his 28 wins. Mason, with 15 KOs in 17 fights, is certainly thought of as the puncher here, but Ornelas is tough and has seen this kind of power before.

This is undoubtedly the classic up-and-coming contender vs. the more experienced veteran in Ornelas, who has 15 more fights and is a decade older.

Mason, respects Ornelas but has bigger picture goals in mind.

“In 2025, I want all the smoke,” Mason said. “I’m on my way to the world championship. I look forward to making a statement on April 5th.”

An interesting fight that highlights if Mason is indeed title-ready. Ornelas - tough, tested, and looking to pull off an upset- will be a good measuring stick for the talented, Cleveland-born 135-pound star in the making.