Light-Heavyweight contender Shaun George wants what every self-respecting pugilist craves: The most challenging assignments available. With Chad Dawson preoccupied with Glen Johnson, Adrian Diaconu has no engagements booked in the meantime. Shaun George says, “Why not give the people something to remember?.”
George, 16-2-2 (7 KO), wants to fight Diaconu to show who the best young light-heavyweight fighter is. “He has nothing coming up, so let’s make it happen. He doesn’t dodge anyone and neither do I. I believe I am the best young light heavyweight and I want to show it to the world. I know I can beat him.”
The Brooklyn-native, who is promoted by Hall of Fame Promotions, is coming off of a dominant decision victory over late-replacement Thomas Reid. Reid stepped in when Eric Harding pulled out a week before the fight, disappointing the peaking George. “It was a fight that I didn’t want. It was a big letdown after Eric Harding pulled out, but I did what I had to do to get the job done.” George won every round, but was denied the opportunity to show the fans what he was really about.
Diaconu, an undefeated, fan-friendly banger from Canada, hasn’t made a big splash in America despite his number one ranking by the WBC. “Nobody knows who he is. Why sit around and wait to fight Chad Dawson? That could be in 2009. If you really believe you are the best, then you should test yourself.”
A Diaconu-George fight is the kind of style clash that would answer all of the questions of these two young warriors in a definitive manner. Shaun George wants to satisfy all of those inquiries. “Let’s fight, let’s make it happen. We’re both in the hurt business. This fight is made for TV. This style match up is beautiful for boxing.”
George believes that top ten-ranked fighters ducking dangerous challenges while waiting for title shots is ruining boxing. “(Undefeated contender) Chris Henry’s manager said, ‘We don’t want to fight anyone like Shaun, we want to take easy fights and wait for our title shot.’ That is the kind of mindset that deprives the fans of what makes boxing special. The best need to fight the best, end of story.”