CLEVELAND — It all started in a basement.

"We are in the room that I've trained in for this world championship fight. So this is my basement," said Abdullah Mason.

The 21-year-old professional boxer spent the weeks leading into the Nov. 22 World Boxing Organization lightweight championship fight training in the small space on the bottom level of his Cleveland home.

Abdullah thought about the fight in every moment of his training. From his morning runs or sparring sessions with his dad, Valiant, and his brothers, Amir, Adel, Abdur-Rahman and Ibrahim, who are also professional boxers.

In 2021, Abdullah debuted in his pro career. He started strong with a knock-out victory and has never looked back. Heading into his Nivemener fight, Abdullah was undefeated at 19-0, 17 of his wins coming by

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