MUHSIN CASON didn't intend to follow Hasim Rahman into boxing - but he quickly became a familiar face among the best boxers.
Rahman, a former heavyweight champion of the world, famously defeated Lennox Lewis in 2001.
Muhsin Cason, an unbeaten cruiserweight
Cason, however, was 21 years older and had no interest in taking the gloves off until he was forced to.
The unbeaten cruiserweight was in dire need of his freedom. Rahman could not live with him because he was in Boston at the time.
Cason, 28 years old, told SunSport that he knew a lot about boxing from his brother, but had no interest in the sport.
"I came to boxing by accident, I needed escape from a situation that I was in in Boston."
"And my brother told me that if I go to Vegas, I have to box."
Cason worked as a bouncer before he became a boxer. It was during this job that his natural talent was discovered.
He said, "I was working alongside a guy named Travis - he is a professional boxer too. We got into an altercation where he had some men out.
"The guy attacked me with a swing, and I hit him with one punch. My friend then said, "You gotta go to the gym."
"At first, I didn't say no. But he kept asking me and when I had to leave Boston, I decided I would try it."
Before Cason could join Rahman in the fight capital, the world, he had to learn the ropes first in Philadelphia.
He sparred there under the watchful eyes of Nazeem Richardson (sadly, he died in July 2020).
Cason passed the test, and he moved to Sin City where Rahman put him in the deep end.
He said: "I was able spar so many great fighters within a short time because of who my brother, I was already connected.
"I was able have a quick learning curve, he put my in there with four world champions prior to I even had seven amateur fights."
Cason, who is now 9-0, shared the ring alongside David Benavidez, Caleb Plant and Badou Jack. All three are ex-champions.
He is now one of the top prospects in the social media era, and he will be moving into the boxing ring with other stars.
Cason was one the sparring partners KSI – a British YouTuber – had in camp before Logan Paul won his rematch in 2019.
Cason learned the ropes from his brother and veteran veterans, but KSI & Co. taught him new lessons.
He stated, "What I have learned from boxing is that it's constantly changing, and I needed to adapt with it."
"I am watching KSI, and for his first professional bout he's making millions.
"But it's his skills and not how many seats he places.
"One thing that I learned from him was that I needed to have a social presence in order to get those big cards.
"I have a lot respect for Jake Paul and KSI. They are willing to go the extra mile to ensure they get the job done and build a fan base that will never leave.
Cason also lent a helping hand to KSI's friend AnEsonGib before Jake Paul beat him in 2020.
Paul, now 24, is now a 4-0 boxer. He will next face Tyson Fury's brother Tommy on December 18.
Cason's friendship and training with J'Leon Love's assistant trainer, Paul, has allowed him to spar with the American celebrity in Puerto Rico.
Cason said: "They approached me, but J'Leon Love, a good friend of mine and we actually have a show called the NeighborsShow.
"I guess my relationship with him made me appear on their radar, as they were looking for top cruiserweights."
Cason found the wisdom that he received in August from Mike Tyson (55), a refreshing mix of old and new.
He stated that he would like to thank Amer Abdallah and Badou Jack for bringing him in the back to meet Mike Tyson.
"I had a great discussion with him. He taught me one thing: money isn’t everything. Don’t let money get in the way of your goals.
"Because the money can go but you are responsible for your own life."
"And that's what I did. I want to make a lot of money and be a well-known face in the sport.
"With that, I must make sure that my Muhsin Cason is still intact."
