NEW YORK (October 2008) –The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Jamaican charitable and social initiatives, will honor Lennox Lewis as the 2008 recipient of the AFJ International Achievement Award for his active involvement in a wide range of philanthropic and civic organizations. Lewis will be awarded on November 6, 2008 at the AFJ’s 27th Annual Gala and Auction for Jamaican Charities, hosted at Gotham Hall in New York City..
Son of Jamaican Violet Lewis, Lewis has a special love and connection with Jamaica and its people. It may have seemed that Lennox Lewis reached the peak of his career when the then-reigning heavyweight boxing champion of the world retired undefeated in 2004. Since then, however, his support for a myriad of charitable causes has made him a champion outside the ring as well as inside, and a model for young people the world over.
The reigning boxing heavyweight champion of the world, Lewis has had an extremely successful career in both amateur and professional boxing. He garnered an impressive amateur career, participated in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and is ranked among the best in his field alongside Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield. His success in the ring has translated into various awards, including Commander in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire given to him by the Queen of England, and induction into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Outside of the ring, his heart is even stronger when it comes to supporting his passion, community, and roots garnering him another award under his belt, but this time for his humanitarianism.
An avid supporter of the Muhammad Ali Center, an organization committed to providing peaceful solutions to global problems, Lewis appeared on Donald Trump’s The Celebrity Apprentice to support this cause, and is also building a youth boxing center in Canada to recognize the guidance of his amateur boxing coach, Arnie Boehm.
In addition to sports, his generosity has extended into the academic realm as he founded the Lennox Lewis College in London for troubled teens and youth offenders. As a chess enthusiast, Lewis encourages the participation and benefits of the game among children. He has sponsored an award winning chess team from Memphis, TN, and also supports athletic activities in the St. James parish of Jamaica. Lewis also supports educational and athletic programs by speaking to youth groups at camps and tournaments all over the country.
A guest commentator on HBO Sports, Lennox Lewis and his Jamaican wife Violet Chang have two children: a daughter, Ling, and a son, Landon, and reside in Jamaica, strengthening his connection with the country and its culture.
Shaun George To Face Donnell Wiggins on November 15 in Nashville –
BROOKLYN, NY – Light-heavyweight contender Shaun George is looking to make a statement in his first fight since knocking out former heavyweight champion Chris Byrd in 9 rounds in May. George, 17-2-2 (8 KO) of Brooklyn, NY, will see action on the undercard of the Jermain Taylor-Jeff Lacy fight in Nashville, TN’s Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium. His opponent will be Donnell Wiggins, who has faced several world champions including Lucien Bute, Lacy and William Guthrie.
This will be George’s first fight under the promotional banner of Dibella Entertainment and will be televised by SportsNet New York on a delayed broadcast basis.
“I’m just excited to get back in the ring and fight again,” says George, who is ranked #8 by the WBC and #11 by the IBF and WBA. “I’m still trying to establish myself and reach my goal which is to be the best light-heavyweight in the world. I’m not satisfied with the win over Byrd and I want to fight the best fighters in the world.”
Many things have changed for George since the last time he stepped in the ring. In addition to signing a promotional deal, George has retained Donna Duva-Brooks as his adviser. Just last month his wife gave birth to their first child, Shaun Jr.
“I have a better understanding of why I’m doing what I’m doing now. I can’t just be thinking of myself, I have a wife and son to worry about and I have to provide for their futures.”
After this tune-up fight George intends to take aim at the division’s elite. “I’m on my A-Game now. If you’re in the top ten of any of the organizations, I want to fight you. It’s no secret that I want to fight Glen Johnson. Everybody is always avoiding him but not me. I want to be ranked number one before I fight for the championship and beating him will get me there.”
MCGOWAN COMES BACK WITH ANOTHER WIN
Western Australia‘s top female boxer Erin McGowan has made an impressive comeback with a second round KO victory in Perth last night, notching up another win for her undefeated record.
McGowan made it 8 wins from 8 pro-bouts against Thai boxer, Saisamorn Sor Saitong 34 seconds into the second round of her 6 x 2-minute fight at Battle Extreme on Saturday October 11.
The win has cemented the 27-year-old, who claimed two Pan Asian Boxing Association title belts in quick succession earlier this year, as a serious contender for a future world title.
Trainer and manager Shaun Eaton said McGowan’s opponent was a strong, experienced fighter, but some hard shots compounded to give McGowan victory.
“Erin’s opponent was older and came from a Muay Thai background, but an accumulation of Erin’s shots in the second round gave her the advantage,” he said.
“Erin was a little rusty in the first round, having spent a little while out of the ring, but she quickly came back strong and hard in the second round.”
McGowan said it felt good to get back into the ring, topped off by the swift success.
“It took me the first round to see what was in front of me and my opponent landed some strong shots, but after the break and into the second round, I really found my focus and everything I wanted to do came off,” she said.
“I’m now looking forward to moving ahead and getting into the ring to defend my title.”
Eaton said the plan was to enter a bout to defend the title before the end of the year, and a tilt at a world title in 2009.
“We’re going to focus on the road ahead and a title defence against a good Argentinian fighter before the year is out, and plan an attempt at a world title next year,” he said.
Earlier this year, McGowan took some guidance from world champion trainer Johnny Lewis who said she had what it took and saw no reason why she couldn’t make it to the top of the pro-ranks.
“Erin’s got the professionalism, determination and discipline along with volume in her punches and the fitness to get right up there,” he said.
Battle Extreme also saw World Boxing Association top-10 ranked Kalgoorlie fighter Daniel “The Rock” Dawson take out a world title and defeat South America’s number one contender Ariel Gerardo Aparicio in a round one KO.