In the hit and miss sport of boxing, a night’s performance can go a long way towards making or breaking a career. More so than in any other sport, the athletes of boxing can make definitive statements and leave resounding impressions on simply one night’s work alone and that fact applies fully to Light Heavyweight contender Shaun George.
Until May of this year, George found himself toiling in obscurity in many ways. For all of his talent, George had yet to produce the kind of nationally televised showcase worthy of acclaim and recognition. All of that changed in May of this year as George shocked former two time Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd by way of a dominating 9th round stoppage. With the win came proof of George’s obvious talents as well as further belief that a championship may well be in reach for the Brooklyn native. When looking back on the Byrd clash, what George himself appreciates most seems to be the impact his win has had on others.
“It was an eye-opener I think,” George recently said. “People really found out and became aware of who I am. I think I showed people what I am capable of really doing. What I can fully do is something that people haven’t seen yet but people are starting to realize who I am and where I stand in the Light heavyweight division. When people start talking about the best fighters in the world today I think they will soon be talking about me. I’m out to establish myself and I want to fight the best fighters available.”
Following the bout George called heavily for a showdown with Glen Johnson, but has yet to see it transpire. George is now scheduled to face Donnell Wiggins on the undercard of Jermain Taylor’s clash against Jeff Lacy on November 15th in Nashville , Tennessee . While it may not be the bout he desperately desires at this point, George understands the importance of never underestimating the opponent in front of you.
“My thoughts on November are just about being in great shape,” George says honestly. “I’m just going to focus on listening to my corner and doing the things I have to do in order to win. I really don’t know much about Donnell Wiggins at all but I do know that he is a live opponent and I won’t take him lightly.”
George’s mission in the game is to prove himself as one of the elite competitors in the world. Like so many other athletes, George knows that the money that comes with the rigors of the sport is essential, yet not career defining. When opening up further, it is obvious that George’s purposes and goals in boxing stem from something much deeper.
“There is that saying that goes ‘Money, Power, and Respect’ and that is something that I have held on to over the years,” says a reflective George. “I definitely like having the respect of my peers when it concerns the sport of boxing. My goal right now is to be the best in the world. Yes, money has something to do with it but my main desire is to prove myself to the world. I am deeply competitive and for other fighters to start recognizing that is a great feeling too.”
George had time to rub shoulders with some of his aforementioned peers in early June of this year, when he made a visit to Canastota for the boxing Hall of Fame. George admits that going to the Hall of Fame was something that touched him on many levels, from his connection to the fighters of the past to the recognition from the fans of today.
“It was a great,” George states. “I was literally like a kid in a candy store. I saw and met some of my favorite fighters. Guys like Marvin Hagler, Aaron Pryor, Pernell Whitaker. I actually always wondered about that dream matchup between Aaron Pryor and Pernell Whitaker, it was always intriguing to me. I also so Gerry Cooney and I met guys like Chad Dawson and Steve Cunningham. There were a lot of older fighters and a lot of new fighters too and it was just a great experience for me and I had a great time meeting the boxing fans of the world and they were great.”
Evident in the tone of George’s voice these days is a sense of realism. While always coming across as laid back and down to earth, George now seems more subdued than ever. One key reason to this comes from the birth of his son earlier this year. Helping bring a child into this earth is something that has seemed to humble George while also giving him a sense of joy he had yet to fully have in his world.
“It was the happiest moment of my life,” says George of the birth of Shaun Jr. “There is nothing that can come close to that experience. You always hear people talk about their kids but you never really understand what it’s like to have a kid until you have one for yourself. He’s been the greatest thing to ever happen to me and I’m just blessed and ready to do whatever I have to do for him.”
More than anything George seems grateful for the way things have been this year. Over the past months his life has changed immensely, all for the better. He understands what he is on the verge of yet has also had much time to stop and look at the world today. When questioned about the dynamics of this year’s Electoral Debate, George opens up passionately.
“Common sense needs to make a comeback,” George says of the 2008 race for presidency. “To me it’s an easy decision but I think other people are really getting confused with the politics of it all. People are labeling Obama purely as a black man and that is the sole reason why some people are voting for him and against him. I am focusing on the issues and who I think can truly lead this country.”
While putting all stereotypes aside, George has had time to see both the good and bad in each candidate. His choice for the next president is one that he makes without hesitation, despite knowing that he may not fully see eye to eye with his selection.
“I am voting for Obama because I want change,” George says with clear conviction. “Of course there are some things he says that I disagree with but it’s almost impossible to agree with someone all the time. Right now I think that Obama makes the most sense and I think he is more right for the country than McCain.”
From his breakthrough performance over Chris Byrd, the birth of his son, his thoughts on the world today, and his eye to the future, Shaun George has had a lot to put in perspective. All the while he has done it with a modest nature that has allowed him to see the big picture before him. The chances of him having a breakthrough 2009 are very realistic, yet Shaun George knows the best way of going about it is one step at a time.
“I’m just trying to become a better person and a better man. I’m a lot more humble now than I was a year and a half ago. I’m just trying to take one day at a time and one fight at a time. I want to be the best and in order to do that I have to beat the best but there are a lot of politics in the game. By slowing down and taking everything one day at a time it allows me to become a better person and in turn a better fighter. I realize that I can’t control everything and I always have a positive attitude about things.”
