Abdullah Mason: Rising Star in Boxing Remains Unbeaten
At 19, Abdullah Mason was an undefeated lightweight prospect; by 2026, he had become the WBO world champion and defended the belt in his hometown of Cleveland. Mason won the vacant title with a unanimous decision over Sam Noakes in November 2025, then stopped Albert Bell in the 12th round on July 4, 2026. Top Rank’s fighter record and official event report document those milestones.
A rapid rise at lightweight
Mason turned professional in 2021 and built an unbeaten run while competing at lightweight. In 2024, he recorded five knockout wins, including stoppages of Mike O’Han Jr. and Yohan Vasquez. He kept progressing in 2025, beating Jeremia Nakathila by fifth-round stoppage before claiming the vacant WBO title against Noakes in a 12-round decision.
The Noakes fight was a substantial step up: it was Mason’s first 12-round contest, and the judges awarded him a unanimous decision. He followed it with a title defense against Bell, overcoming a competitive fight to earn a late stoppage at 0:45 of round 12. The win was in front of a hometown crowd at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center, according to Top Rank.
From prospect to champion
The 2024 description of Mason as a teenage prospect is now out of date. He is a 22-year-old southpaw, remains unbeaten, and holds a major world title. His title run has already tested him over the championship distance and in a demanding defense; the next stage will show how he develops against other established contenders.
Sources
Tags: Boxing
