Briton Sam Noakes put in a gutsy performance but fell short in his bid to become lightweight world champion, losing on points to Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO title in Saudi Arabia.

In a thrilling and close contest between two unbeaten stars, Noakes, 28, was hampered by a bloodied left eye after a clash of heads in the third round but kept coming forward, landing thudding punches on the inside.

It was the eye-catching uppercuts and slick long-range boxing from 21-year-old southpaw Mason, however, that made the difference, as he upped the tempo in the second half.

Mason rocked Noakes in the 10th, but the Maidstone fighter clung on and fought back valiantly until the final bell.

With scores of 117-111, 115-113, 115-113, American Mason claims his 20th pro win and becomes the youngest reigning male world champion.

Noakes had hoped to cap his remarkable rise from supermarket jobs, roofing, and railway work to world champion.

He suffers the first defeat of his career after 17 straight wins, including 15 stoppages, but in a fight-of-the-year contender, he proved he belongs at the top level and will have earned himself a fanbase around the world.