Lightweight Abdullah Mason, a hot prospect for Top Rank, will return in February.

Mason, who was dropped twice in a stunning two-round bout with Yohan Vasquez (who was down twice himself), in Norfolk, Virginia, in November, is one of the brightest stars in the sport.

Now 16-0 (14 KOs), Mason has been matched with Stockton’s Manuel Jaimes, who is 16-2-1 (11 KOs), and who went 10 rounds in a losing effort with Rolando "Rolly" Romero in his previous fight in September.

The 24-year-old Jaimes turned pro in 2018 and will fight Mason on February 14 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Mason is a 20-year-old southpaw, and while some might contend he showed flaws against Vasquez, others will say climbing off the floor was an invaluable part of his education.

That is how Mason saw it when he spoke to BoxingScene the week after.