TalkingBoxing Interviews
Talking Boxing with DON "Da Bomb" GEORGE
FRI September 23, COYOTE DURAN - When they wanna get things done, some kids have just the best timing
in the world.
Case in point, one Donovan "Da Bomb" George, Chi-Town native (Yeah, baby!) and hot new super middleweight prospect. George (5-0-1 with 4 KOs), 20, has only been in the fight game for a year but has already caught the eye of Cestus Management executive and advisor Mike Michael who currently grooms the career of junior welterweight standout Mike Arnaoutis.
Tonight, George takes on Allen Medina (3-6 with 1 KO) at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in hopes of securing a sixth win against varied competition in a much different climate from what he's used to in The Windy City. I caught up with Don and, to my enjoyment, had a fantastic conversation about how fighting under the Cestus banner has changed his career outlook as well as details about his amateur background and his own expectations of himself. I was delighted to discover that George was very realistic, mature, deadly serious about his career and not the least bit haughty.
Read on, Howlers, and check out the Next Big Thing to come out of the great city of Chicago.
Coyote Duran: To bring the readers up to speed, Don, you started professionally last September (of 2004). You're 5-0. You've got 4 knockouts and a draw. You're pacing yourself nicely. You've just hooked up with Cestus Management. What does working with Cestus mean to a guy so new in the game like yourself?
Don George: Well, you know, first off, it's a pleasure and a privilege. They're gonna open up a lot of doors for me that haven't been available to me at this time. With "Da Bomb Squad" and Cestus, there's no room but to go up.
Coyote Duran: Now, you weren't an amateur for very long but you've achieved some nice accolades. You've won the 165 -pound novice Golden Gloves title. You've won the Golden Gloves open...........
Don George: Well, I won the 165 Open and I won the Novice at 147 and 178.
Coyote Duran: Really? Those are some vastly different weights there.
Don George: Yeah. I went from '47 to '78 and then back to '65!
Coyote Duran: That stuns the hell out of me even more because with an 18-4 amateur record. Is that correct, 18-4?
Don George: In the USA book, yeah. With show fights and all that, I was like, 33-4.
Coyote Duran: that makes a little more sense because it seems like there's a lot you've achieved in such a short span of time. But relative to a lot of other professionals who've had a longer amateur careers, what felt right about turning pro?
Don George: Well, you know, nobody really knows it but my four losses were at national tournaments. I placed third in a couple of tournaments. I was ranked third for a while in USA Boxing. I went to the Eastern Olympic trials and I got fifth there. We're not gonna make 2008 to try to make a politically involved Olympic team anyways. So we decided that it was the right time to go pro.
Coyote Duran: With the span of weight that you've been successful at, why turn pro at super middle? Is this a good weight for you? Could you go down? What's really comfortable for you?
Don George: Well, right now, I'm still growing. I don't really know and I can't tell ya where I'm gonna be in a year or even six months from now. I'm a growing boy and I'm only 20. Basically, I'm not gonna kill myself. I'm gonna fight where I'm at and then when it's time to step it up, I'll decide the weight class where I'm gonna go.
Coyote Duran: There's no opponent slated yet for you, Don. Do you know of one lined up?
Don George: Yes. I'm fighting Allen Medina.
Coyote Duran: What do you know about Medina?
Don George: All I know is that he's comin' off three straight wins. He's supposed to be a tough Latino fighter from Denver so we'll see what he's got.
Coyote Duran: Since last September, you've fought six times. How many more times do you plan on fighting in 2005 besides this Friday, Don?
Don George: Two more times.
Coyote Duran: Any runs for any minor titles? Regional titles, professionally as of yet?
Don George: Probably next year but I'll leave that up to my management team. I'm sure they'll guide me in the right direction.
Coyote Duran: Pete George is your manager. I assume he's a relative?
Don George: Yeah, he's my father and my co-manager along with Cestus.
Coyote Duran: How big of an influence has Pete been on you getting into boxing? Does he have that fight background himself?
Don George: Yeah. He had a pretty decent amateur background. He was always hanging around the gyms. Since I was four years old, I was boxing. I might not have as many amateur fights on the record but I've got 16 years of hard sparring. My dad's been training me ever since I was four years old. But he wanted to hold me back in the amateurs until I was 16 so I wouldn't become punch-drunk, you know?
Coyote Duran: Plus, you're still developing when you're little. It's a lot like Little Leaguers messing up their pitching arms when they jump into the game too soon.
Don George: Right! All in all, I think it was the right move.
Coyote Duran: Growing up, who were your influences? For enjoyment of the game and stylistically?
Don George: Well, my all-time favorite fighter is my dad. I completely adopted his style, hard-nosed and training hard. But you know, famous fighters would probably be Sugar Ray (Leonard), my all-time favorite. Just the way he moves and hits. Current fighters? I actually like (World Lightweight Champion) Diego Corrales from his last performance alone that just won me over.
Coyote Duran: Good choice!
Don George: Amazing.
Coyote Duran: Now you're in Vegas now. Have you relocated?
Don George: No, I'm still fighting and training out of Chicago
Coyote Duran: Excellent! So, you're just there for this Friday's fight, right?
Don George: I'm here to win and then I'm goin' home!
Coyote Duran: This year has been a banner year in boxing for Chicago with the larger promotions such as Don King Productions and Main Events setting up big shows. Do you feel that this is great timing on your part, being a Windy City guy, coming out like you're doing at this point?
Don George: Absolutely! 100%!
Coyote Duran: From one Windy City guy to another, what're your favorite things about Chicago?
Don George: Well, I really enjoy the sports franchises. I'm big time into sports. Other than boxing, I love almost any other sport except for hockey. I can't get into that. I don't know why. I'd rather watch golf! I love downtown. I love Lake Michigan. That's where it's at!
Coyote Duran: With as disciplined as you have to be, doesn't it bum you out that you can't have as much of the local cuisine as you'd like?
Don George: To an extent but I'm dedicated 100% so I'll eat later. When I retire, I'll get nice and fat!
Coyote Duran: Don, how soon do we expect to see you on television, Don?
Don George: When I'm about 15-0.
Coyote Duran: Is that a personal goal or is that something that Mike Michael and Cestus have in mind for you?
Don George: It's a little bit of both. You know, I had about the same figure in my head. Cestus had the same plan. It's a good number and by that time, I'll be a polished diamond. Ready to shine.
Coyote Duran: Mike Arnaoutis is a stablemate of your in Cestus Management. Have you met him yet and if so, has he given you any words of wisdom?
Don George: I actually haven't met him yet, to be honest. I'll definitely be meeting him. I'll be coming up to New Jersey to go to training camp and work out with him too.
Coyote Duran: Any words for family, friend and any potential opponents who'll be reading this, Don?
Don George: Well, you know, I wanna thank my father for everything he's done for me. He's been behind me 100% along with the rest of my family and friends, including my mother. Everybody. I just wanna let everybody in the boxing world know that we're for real. We're coming and we're gonna go straight to the top. I also wanna thank God. Without Him, none of this could be possible.
Coyote Duran: I'm happy to be one of the first in the fight media to talk to you. Here's hoping we see a great many things from you in the near and far future!
Don George: Hey, I appreciate it! It was great meeting you!
Talking Boxing would love to thank Don "Da Bomb" George and Mike Michael for their time and generosity in sharing their plans and for introducing the boxing world to a great new talent.
Coyote Duran can be reached at coyoteduran@talkingboxing.com
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