Cleveland City Council honors world boxing champion, community groups and state champion football team

Cleveland City Council opened its Jan. 12 meeting with a series of ceremonial recognitions, honoring local athletes, community organizations and a campus police unit for outreach and service.

Council members presented a resolution recognizing Abdullah Mason as the WBO world lightweight champion after his Nov. 22, 2025 title win in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; the council noted Mason was 21 at the time and called him a source of pride for Cleveland. Family members and Mason himself thanked the council and urged residents to attend his future hometown fights.

The council also read and approved a resolution honoring the University Circle Police Department for community policing and youth outreach, citing programs including Cop Scouts, school art competitions, and a catalytic‑converter anti‑theft program. Council and UCPD representatives emphasized trust‑building and partnerships in Ward 9 and Glenville.

Members recognized local chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority for service and celebrated the Glenville Tar Blooders and head coach Ted Ginn Sr. after the team won the 2025 OHSAA Division IV state championship. Speakers and the mayor praised the teams' emphasis on academics and life skills, and council members mentioned scholarships and plaques to mark their achievements.

The presentations concluded with council applause and requests for photos; the meeting then moved into the public‑comment agenda.

The ceremonial recognitions were celebratory and did not include any formal policy actions or votes beyond adoption of the presented resolutions.