By Ryan Songalia

Shaun George, 11-1-2 (5 KO) of Brooklyn, NY, is looking to redeem himself following a disastrous last outing against the undefeated Matt Godfrey. A former two-time NY Golden Gloves Champion, George compiled an amateur record of 51-7. Seeking to reclaim the esteem he garnered prior to his last bout, George takes the first step towards that Sept. 15 when he faces the rugged John Douglas. I talked with Shaun about his upcoming fight and his career in perspective.

BoxingScene.com: How's everything going Shaun?

George: "Everything's going good, man. I'm right now really focused on boxing. I want to get back to where I was mentally and physically. I think I'm there now. The way I'm thinking now about boxing is up to another level. Since I lost I've taken my boxing to another level. I've become more confident after that."

BoxingScene.com: How has training been for your upcoming fight next Friday?

George: "It's been good. I've been sparring with alot of guys. sparred with Jerson [Ravelo] early on. I sparred with Cory Cummings. Alot of sparring for this fight. Training's going really good."

BoxingScene.com: Do you know anything about your opponent John Douglas?

George: "John Douglas? Yeah. I don't know anything about him per say. I know we sparred a long time ago when he first came to this country back in '97 when I was training for the Golden Gloves. I really can't remember it. I do know that my uncle trains him."

BoxingScene.com: You were initially slated to fight a couple weeks ago, only to have the show postponed when several fighters failed their physicals. Has the delay affected your training and preparation for this fight?

George: "Actually no, it didn't. I was pissed off it happened. I was really pissed off because I really wanted to fight. Like I said before, I'm trying to re-establish myself. It gave me a little more time to fine tune things. I'm trying different things out. People expect me to be one thing, but they're going to see another. So training camp went really well."

BoxingScene.com: For those who haven't seen you fight before, describe to them your boxing style.

George: "Boxer, hit and not be hit. Nice defense, beautiful hand speed, decent punching power. I'm good all around."

BoxingScene.com: You are coming off your first loss, a TKO to Matt Godfrey. Are there any lingering emotions from that fight or is that all in the past?

George: "I want the rematch (laughs). Don't get me wrong, I want the rematch. I would take a rematch ASAP if I had to. I have to re-establish myself, I have to do everything the right way. Matt Godfrey is a good fighter, I can't take anything away from him. He caught me with a great shot. I watch the tape everyday to remind me.

I have this saying "Lucky Lucky". I don't believe in luck. You create your own luck with the choices youmake. You understand that part? If you look at the fight, if I would've done the right thing instead of trying to be greedy, it could've ended differently. I would've never got caught with that shot. It's the choices you make, everything happens for a reason. Like I said, Matt Godfrey's a good fighter, I don't take anything away from him. I look forward to the trilogy."

BoxingScene.com: Would you describe that experience as being something that motivates you?

George: "Yeah. Something like that notmally breaks fighters mentally, like 'damn, I got caught.' It's part of the sport, you win, you lose, you draw. If you ask me, I got more cocky after that when it comes to my boxing style. When it comes to me, I'm just more focused. I can't explain it, I'm just really focused."

BoxingScene.com: Matt is going to be fighting Danny Batchelder on the 23rd. Any thoughts on that fight?

George: "I hope Matt wins, I wish him well. Matt's a good fighter. I think Matt should stop him or take him to school, either/or. Anyway, he's going to take it. Trust me, if Danny Batchelder beats Matt Godfrey, I'm going to beat on Danny Batchelder's ass. I really want to fight Matt Godfrey again, I want the rematch. I hope he continues to win, I hope he makes it to the top. I hope he wins a world title or if I get it before him, we're still going to fight again regardless. I don't have anything bad to say about Matt. I just want the rematch and after that, the trilogy."

BoxingScene.com: What are your plans after John Douglas?

George: "I want to be fighting as often as possible. I'm trying to get this fight out of the way. I'll be fighting again in October. You know what, that fight was a blessing in disguise, believe it or not. Before I fought Matt, I couldn't get a fight. If you look at my record, I've been pro since 2000. I've been having 6 month lay-offs, a year and a half. I haven't been fighting as often as I should. I was ranked as high as 13th in the world. After I lost to Matt Godfrey, now these guys say 'Oh, Shaun has no chin. I knew he wasn't all that.' Now all of a sudden, everybody wants a part of me. I'm actually happy for that."

BoxingScene.com: It happens like that. When you can't be beat, nobody wants anything to do with you. The second you lose, everybody's knocking at your door.

George: "You think boxing is two men in the ring, these guys aren't scared of nobody. This whole sport is full of punks, straight out punks. I'm not joking, you think I'm joking. Everybody always says that they want to be the best, but for you to be the best, you have to beat the best in your weight class. That's why I'm glad Matt Godfrey took the fight. Now people are knocking at my door, I'm loving it. I'm telling you, I'm going to put someone in the hospital. I'm going to hurt somebody. You don't understand my mind frame right now, it's on another level.

I read Jerson Ravelo's interview the other day, I read the whole interview and he had alot to say. He said the sport of boxing, it sucks. It's a really dirty business."

BoxingScene.com: Alright, you get to play the role of promoter here. In your own words, tell the fans why they should come see you fight in Paterson on the 15th.

George: "Oh wow. It's going to be an exciting fight. Check this out. As a professional fighter, the boxing public hasn't seen me fight before. You've only seen a shell of what I can do. I'm back doing what I have to do. I'm focused, I'm rejuvenated. It's going to be an exciting fight card. Trust me, everyone should get to their seats very early."

BoxingScene.com: Who are your favorite fighters of all time?

George: My favorite fighters are Sugar Ray Leonard, James Toney, Roy Jones, Sugar Ray Robinson.

BoxingScene.com: Is there anything else you would like to say to the fans all around the world?

George: "I would like to thank everyone for their support. Alot of people showed me love. Don't get me wrong, alot of people hated on me but at the same time even more people showed me love. So I thank all the fans for their support."

Shaun George has a Myspace where people can get more information on him. The address is http://www.myspace.com/shaungeorge .

Have any questions or comments? Send them to my email at mc_rson@yahoo.com