Is Abdullah Mason One Step Away From A World Title Shot?

Serving as the co-feature bout on the Keyshawn Davis vs Edwin De Los Santos card, lightweight contender Abdullah Mason is set to take on Jeremiah Nakathila (26-4, 21 KOs) on Saturday night, June 7th, at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

This upcoming boxing event will mark the second time that the WBO lightweight champion Keyshawn Davis fights in his hometown of Norfolk, Virginia, and it also marks the second time that Abdullah Mason will be a part of Davis’s hometown event card.

A native of Bedford, Ohio, who now fights out of Cleveland, Abdullah Mason made his pro boxing debut back in November 2021 when he stopped Jaylan Phillips in the second round. Mason put his career on cruise control as he stopped 12 of his next 14 opponents.

In the sixteenth fight of his professional career, Abdullah Mason faced adversity, as his heart was tested. On the night Keyshawn Davis had his first homecoming event back in November 2024, Abdullah Mason battled Yohan Vasquez in a bout scheduled for eight rounds.

In the opening round of the contest, both Mason and Vasquez were using foot feints, trying to find the proper range. With 2:12 remaining in the 1st round, Vasquez floored Mason when he landed a solid left-hand shot.

Thirty-four seconds later, Mason returned the favor when he connected with a sharp left that sent Vasquez down to the canvas. Vasquez got up limping, but despite the leg injury, he scored a second knockdown when he hit Mason with a hard counter left hand.

Due to his leg injury, Vasquez became an immobile target at the start of the second round. Mason would go on to knock Vasquez down for a second time, and unfortunately for Vasquez, he was counted out.

Mason would go on to collect two additional victories by way of TKO. Now the 21-year-old lightweight contender Abdullah Mason (18-0, 16 KOs) is set to face the hard-hitting Jeremiah Nakathila.

Mason knows he has to stay focused and take care of business on the night of June 7th, but if he is successful, Mason already has his next move figured out. If both boxers win on June 7th, Mason wants to face the WBO lightweight world champion Keyshawn Davis.

During a recent interview with FightHype, lightweight contender Abdullah Mason spoke about the possibility of challenging the WBO world champion Keyshawn Davis.

“We both are in the same division, and I just got the news in my last interview that I’m ranked number two in the WBO, and he’s the champion in that sanctioning body. So, it’s looking very very possible that me and him would uh, cross paths,” Mason stated.

Mason could be in line to face Keyshawn Davis next, but aside from actually fighting Davis, there is another way Mason can obtain the WBO strap. Recent speculation has been brewing regarding Keyshawn Davis’ potential move up to the 140-pound division.

If Keyshawn Davis is victorious on Saturday night, and then he proceeds to move up to the super-lightweight division, the WBO lightweight world title would be up for grabs. In that particular scenario, Abdullah Mason and WBO top-ranked contender Sam Noakes would fight for the vacant WBO strap.

However, Abdullah Mason isn’t fixated on just Keyshawn Davis and the WBO lightweight world title. In his aforementioned interview, Mason spoke on being open to facing any of the division’s belt holders.

“Anybody in the lightweight division. Any of the champions, Keyshawn Davis, Tank Davis, Shakur Stevenson, Raymond Muratalla,” Mason said. “You know it’s four champions and I’m creeping up on all of them. So, any opportunity that is thrown my way, I’m ready for it.”