MightyGloves.com

Shaun George: A Well-mannered, Nice, Young Man Perhaps...

posted by Kathleen Holland on May 13, 2008, in Punch Lines By Judi Abate

By Judi Abate
Boxing Diva

Shaun George( 16-2-2) is a wonderful young man, smart, humble, and well mannered. However he is definitely not going to be Mr. Nice Guy when facing Chris Byrd ( 40-4-1) in their upcoming fight this Friday in Vegas. Shaun is ready, willing and able to go toe to toe with Byrd in an attempt to increase his chances in conquering the light heavyweight division.
I caught up with Shaun a few days before his big fight with Chris Byrd and wanted to see how things were going and what he might have on his mind. Let's talk to Shaun George:

JA Shaun are you excited or nervous about this fight?
SG I'm excited. I'm in great spirits. I'm not nervous. This is an opportunity of a life time.

JA How is training going?
SG Great. It has been top-notch training.

JA What is your favorite part of training?
SG The end ( We both let out a little laugh) Training is the hardest part. The fight the easy part. I'm focused and ready to go.

JA How is your overall conditioning?
SG Top notch. I'm a different person today. People will finally see what I'm all about.

JA Will this be your toughest fight so far?
SG Yes. Chris is excited about coming down to light heavyweight and he will be ready to go. I'm also excited and want to show the fans my natural ability as a fighter. I have grown up as a fighter.

JA Any prefight animosity?
SG None at all. I actually try not to think about Byrd until Friday.

JA What makes you special?
SG I have a God given gift. I read a book by Michael Jordan talking about his work ethic and I realize now you win the fight in the preparation.

JA Your best punch?
SG Whatever I'm using.

JA Your boxing style?
SG Boxer. I'm aggressive.

JA Do you feel you are over-rated?
SG Absolutely not.

JA What comes most natural to you in boxing?
Sg Jabs. Gut feeling.

JA How important is your team to your overall success?
SG It's everything. Everyone needs to be on the same page. My team and I are clicking. Boxing is a team sport. I've learned to speak up for myself.

JA Do you consider yourself a dangerous fighter?
SG The most dangerous in boxing. People see me as too big a risk and not enough profit/gain.

JA Who are some of your favorite fighters of today?
SG There's so many. Mayweather, Berto, Judah, Mosley, Dawson, Roy Jones Jr. The list goes on. My favorite all time fighter was Sugar Ray Leonard.
JA Mine too.

JA Do you have any rituals before a fight?
SG I'm doing away with them. I don't believe in luck anymore. Luck happens with skill. You create luck.

JA Do you think boxing is violent?
SG It's a sport. It could be violent. You can get hurt. You don't play boxing.

JA If you didn't box what career path would you have taken?
SG I have 3 years of college so far. Maybe a lawyer or police officer.

JA What do you LOVE about boxing?
SG I'm in love with the sport of boxing. The good and bad. I love everything about it.

JA What do you DISLIKE about it?
SG I really love everything about it but the boxing business is definitely not pure. Also some fighters duck other fighters for the bigger fights.

JA After you win this fight with Byrd. What will be your future plans?
SG I can't look past Chris Byrd.

JA How do you relax?
SG I'm on the pc. Play chess. Video games. Go to the movies. I'm going to see Iron man tonight. Spend time with my friends and family.

JA What are you afraid of?
SG Not meeting my goals. I've been in boxing 18 years and feel I have nothing to show for it. I want to be a World Champ. I want to be number1. The closet I came was number 3. Number 2 is not a winner.

JA Who is your hero?
SG My parents.

JA Three words to describe you?
SG Laid-back, goofy, a nice guy

JA Favorite food?
SG I love to eat. Curry chicken and rice. Chicken cordon bleu, ribs.

JA Favorite snack or junk food?
SG For the last 2 months I'vs had a craving for Chinese food.

JA If you could have a superhero power what would it be?
SG Time travel. To go places in history at different times.

JA Favorite color?
SG Blue

JA The best part of your body?
SG My heart. I'm always thinking about someone else. For this fight I'm being a little selfish- not answering the cell phone much. Fewer distractions.

JA In boxing..I wish I could be more _______
SG Adaptable.

JA What is your opinion of Woman's boxing?
SG Go for it. USA boxing should invest more in it.

JA What do you think about MMA?
SG I don't. It's interseting but I don't like when people try to compare the 2 sports. It's ridiculous.

JA Any tatoos?
SG No

JA Do you believe some boxers today are spoiled?
SG No. Boxing is not an easy sport. I think fighters should be more humble.

JA Who would you pay to see box?
SG It really depends on the fight. The match-up in styles.

JA What advice would you tell young boxers coming up in the sport today?
SG I could write a book. The sport is hard. You need a great amount of determination and dedication. You have to do your roadwork. My idol is Shawn Carter. He is not from the world of boxing but Hip-Hop. I'm impressed by where he came from to where he is now.

JA If you had to rate the power behind your punches on a scale of 1-10. What would you say?
SG 6-7 I've got good power.

JA Before we wrap up. How can we keep boxing strong?
SG Boxing takes a whole collection of people to work together. Managers need not to outshine their boxers. Promoters shouldn't leave it yp to TV to prompte their fighters. TV needs to put on a bigger variety of fights besides the big name ones. Current champs need to take all fights not just the easy ones. The best need to fight the best. Period.

Ja Besides the "big pay day" why do you like to box?
SG It's good stress relief. When I was younger it kept me out of trouble. Boxing keeps me focused and healthy.

JA Any closing thoughts?
SG Thank you for the interview. Come, May 16th it will be a great fight.
JA Thanks for the great interview and Good Luck.


I'd like to thank Knockout Publicity for the opportunity to interview Shaun George. Shaun was a pleasure to interview.

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