CLEVELAND, Ohio — Abdullah Mason fulfilled the promise that has followed him since his teenage years, capturing the vacant WBO lightweight championship Saturday with a unanimous decision victory over Sam Noakes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The 21-year-old Cleveland native became the youngest active male world champion in boxing, earning the title with scorecards of 115-113, 115-113, and 117-111 at the ANB Arena. Mason improved his record to 20-0 with 17 knockouts, while Noakes fell to 17-1 with 15 knockouts.

Mason landed 214 total punches, including 158 power punches. Noakes connected on 152 punches, with 134 of those being power punches.

Mason grew up training in Cleveland’s boxing gyms, developing his southpaw style under his father’s guidance alongside his brothers. He turned professiona

See Full Page