By Jake Donovan
The formula for failure was in place.
Shaun George was coming off of the biggest win of his career, the ninth round knockout of Chris Byrd on ESPN2. That was the good news. The bad news was that the fight came more than nine months ago, with a change in promoters and other matters leading to an unforced layoff.
He eventually signed with DiBella Entertainment, but wouldn’t see action in the ring for another three months, coming in late February against Jaffa Ballagou in New York.
New promoter, lofty expectations yet most if not all of last year’s momentum squandered – something was supposed to give. But there’s a difference between recognizing the potential for failure and setting yourself up for it.
Shaun George distinguished between the two last week when he faced Ballagou in the first fight under the DBE banner. He promised to make a statement against a fighter who hadn’t been stopped in over six years. He emphatically delivered, needing just 86 seconds to blast out the former title challenger.
When all is said and done in his career, chances are this win won’t register in the grand scheme of things. After all, Ballagou is 40 years old, and hasn’t been a serious contender for nearly a decade. By his own admission, the fight was taken as means to end a forced layoff, in hopes of building toward a much busier campaign in 2009 after fighting just once last year.
But it wasn’t just beating Ballagou that was on George’s mind. It was the intent to deliver the message that he’s not taking anything for granted at this stage of his life.
“I settled for this fight to stay busy, but didn’t treat it as a stay busy fight,” explains George, who racked up his fifth straight in advancing his record to 18-2-2 (9KO). “I’ve never seen Jaffa before, but his record impressed me. I just wanted to see what his record was all about; it motivated me.”
Considering the time on the sidelines, it didn’t take much to motivate George. All he needed was marching orders and he was ready to go.
Once he was there, he didn’t stick around very long. But the quick exit is a testament to the greater focus in the ring, assisted by the correction of a simple, yet crucial flaw – “listening to my trainer (Tommy Brooks). It was my biggest downfall, not listening to my corner.”
He’s paid astute attention ever since suffering the second defeat of his career, a close disputed loss to Alex Gurov in his opponent’s backyard in early 2007. But it takes more than simply listening to whispers of advice during one-minute rest periods.
For George, the additional source of inspiration comes from his home.
“The birth of my son helped me mature. When my son was born, it made me realize that this thing… it’s not about me anymore. I don’t want to embarrass my son.”
If anything it’s been the exact opposite, at least in his last two fights. But while he’s enjoying a hot streak, George has no intention of leaving it as the high point of his career. The next move isn’t a baby step, but time to enter the division’s upper echelon.
“I want the best. I want a top ten contender or a world champion. I believe I’m world caliber. I want more competition. I’m a competitive guy by nature.”
He’s in the right division, as there is plenty to go around at light heavyweight. It is to where he returned after an unsuccessful run at cruiserweight earlier this decade. A two-year stay in boxing’s bastard division resulted in the lone two losses of his nine-year career.
Five straight wins have followed since returning to light heavyweight two years ago. The one that put him on the map was of course the upset over Byrd in Las Vegas last May. As his career progresses, he wants to be remembered as more than the guy who potentially retired the former two-time heavyweight titlist.
The win over Ballagou was a step toward continuing the legacy he’s presently carving out; as a fighter who treats everyone as a threat, and gives the fans something to remember long after the final bell.
“I’m here to fight, and I’m here to win. The sport can’t just be about stars putting on exhibitions.”
The next step is to find one of those stars – or at least someone close to that level – to add to his resume, and sooner rather than later. It’s easier said than done, and certainly not for a lack of trying. One example has been his well-documented efforts to secure a showdown with Glen Johnson, often referred to as one of boxing’s most avoided.
From where George is sitting, the only thing the former light heavyweight champ has avoided is the opportunity to step into the ring with him.
“I don’t know what the issue is (with Glen Johnson). I’ve been calling him out for years - ever since he fought Daniel Judah the FIRST time.”
The reference is to Johnson’s win over Judah last weekend, avenging a six-year score in which he was held to a highly controversial draw against the Brooklynite. Now that Johnson took care of that piece of unfinished business, George believes it’s time for him to move on to those who are more than willing to dance with him in the squared circle.
“A fight with Glen Johnson and me would be great for TV, the type of fight that boxing fans would talk about for years to come.
“It wouldn’t be an easy fight by any means, and I’m not asking for an easy fight.”
The fight he’s really been asking for is something that’s not a realistic option in the foreseeable future – a showdown with Chad Dawson, one of the few younger talents in a division flooded with thirty-and-fortysomethings.
“I want Chad Dawson more than anyone else in the world. It was a smart move by (Antonio) Tarver to get that rematch clause, because it will be his last guaranteed payday. But that fight is happening only because it has to happen.
“Hopefully Chad’s next fight will be one that everyone wants to see.”
George can only hope his own future holds the same fate. There’s no intention of playing the waiting game or sitting on his ranking in hopes of moving up by default. If Dawson isn’t available, then secure a TV date and line up the next highest contender.
“As long as HBO and Showtime are interested in, I’ll fight guys like Yusaf Mack, Tavoris Cloud - anyone in anybody’s top ten. I can adapt to any style – it doesn’t matter. I’m not asking for millions of dollars, just a premium network.”
None of it has anything to do with a sense of entitlement, just the chance to prove himself before his own clock strikes midnight.
“It’s not because I feel I’m the greatest, but after doing this for 18 years… this is my fourth quarter. It’s time that I get the opportunity against the best in the world.”
Please feel free to submit any comments or questions to Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.