By Sergio Martinez

 

I have been closely following the career of Chicago based super middleweight prospect Don “Da’Bomb” George with great interest because his flamboyant, black flipping, knockout punching style is the type of attraction that leads to public excitement which breeds new fans. 

Still at only twenty-two years of age, the young George, who is trained by his father Peter, is boxing’s latest enigma as without the benefit of an illustrious amateur career, Donovan’s true abilities are completely unknown.  “I keep telling everyone that I’m a naturally gifted athlete and can do any sport I want.  Boxing is my love and my choice.  I’m working really hard and know that with the kind of dedication I have, I will be successful in this sport,” said Donovan George from his training camp in Chicago, Illinois.

 

“Da’Bomb” is currently preparing to face tough veteran trial horse Albert Mercedes.  The fight is scheduled to take place this Friday and is part of a Top Rank promoted show from Chicago, Illinois.  Donovan offered this about his next opponent, “Albert (Mercedes) is a tough and rugged fighter who has been in there with top opposition in his career.  He is a guy that I expect is going to test me and will coming straight out since the opening bell.  Still, I’m ready for this fight and I’m ready to destroy him.  I will win this fight and I’m going to knock him out!”

 

In the majority of other sports, success can be easily measured by how well an athlete compares to his/her previous year performances.  In modern day boxing, which is the ultimate individual sport, appraising success comes down to remaining undefeated for as long as possible.  The television networks strongly prefer boxing’s young guns to display squeaky-clean records as “Status Quo” appears to favor the appearance of perfection.  Because of this, pressure mounts as promoters and management companies struggle to find a balance between a fighter’s in the ring progression and the risks to his future television marketing value. 

These complicated issues have not escaped George’s consciousness, “I know that my management company (Cestus Management) and promoter (Top Rank) have high expectations of me and I have to deliver every single time I fight.  I need to hold my end of the agreement and make sure that I’m always completely prepared.”

 

George continued, “I’m only twenty-two and I know that I’m going to show everyone results because I have the desire and dedication to make it.”  Cestus Management’s chief advisor, Mike Michael, added, “He’s going to deliver.  There is no question about it.  All of the plans are in place and Donovan will deliver.”

 

Still, there has to be some concern with George’s ability to “deliver” because of the fact that his father/trainer, Peter George, has no experience in training at the professional levels of this brutal sport.  For every Jack/Shane Mosley success story, there are hundreds of father/son boxing tandems that failed miserably.  “Da’Bomb” had this to say about that assessment, “Although we both know that there is a lot of pressure on us, my father and I have dedicated our lives to this sport.  We are both dedicated to becoming world champions and I think that he is doing a great job.”  George continued, “my father gets a lot of shit that he does not deserve and I’m very critical of people taking about him because he has dedicated close to a decade of his life to make sure that I’m successful and I’m still undefeated so that means that he is doing a fantastic job.” 

Mike Michael added, “At the end of the day Donovan has me and I’m experienced enough to guide everyone.  I’ve been part of Lennox Lewis’ camps and have guided fighters to five North American belts and a world title fight.”

 

In closing George said, “I always love to be interviewed by you because you ask some really tough questions and get me to think about myself and my career.  I’m ready for anything out there and just want to start giving some pain.  I want blood on my gloves man and I can wait for Friday because I’m going to knock Albert Mercedes out.  I can even stand myself right now as I’m shadowboxing while I’m doing this interview man! I love Chicago and I will always represent my city with pride.”

 

With the kind of self belief, bravado, and charisma Donovan George exudes, it is easy to see why we can only hope that Don “Da’Bomb” George becomes successful as he can really set the boxing world on fire.