For the better part of this year, Don “Da Bomb” George has been waiting for “Superman.”
George (23-2-1, 20 KOs) is scheduled to face Adonis “Superman” Stevenson in a super middleweight bout on Friday. The winner receives a shot at IBF titlist Carl Froch, according to the sanctioning body.
“This fight is overdue,” George told TQBR on Tuesday. “This is our third date to get this fight on. I can’t wait to get in there and fight.”
On Aug. 17, George stopped late fill-in Dionisio Miranda in six rounds on ESPN Friday Night Fights. Miranda was the replacement for Stevenson (18-1, 15 KOs), who injured a hand earlier that week. Prior to that delay, George and Stevenson were slated to fight the weekend earlier on the canceled Jean Pascal-Tavoris Cloud card that was picked up by Showtime.
George had some choice words for FNF’s color commentator Teddy Atlas, who George said negatively and unfairly evaluated his short-notice performance against Miranda. There are severe stylistic differences between Miranda and Stevenson, George said, mainly with the former being an orthodox fighter and the latter being a southpaw.
Still, with all the contractual chaos leading up to he and Stevenson finally going punch-for-punch, George feels it was all worth the wait.
“It turns out the delay was a blessing,” he said. “I had plenty of time to prepare. We took camp to Florida and got great work.”
The most intriguing aspect of this potential barnburner is the combined knockout percentage of nearly 78 percent. The more preparation, the better each will presumably perform in the face of the adversity that comes in the form of his opponent’s power.
To better understand and become momentarily acclimated to square off against a southpaw with decent power, George has employed the services of trainer John David Jackson.
“We’ve really been working on some good things at camp,” George said. “(Jackson) is a master on the pads and fighting a southpaw.”
Not only would a win close what seems to be a cold case with its constant delays, it would also open an array of doors for either fighter. Froch is considered the best boxer at 168 pounds behind lineal champion Andre Ward. Undefeated Edwin Rodriguez, who won a decision against George in March and stopped Jason Escalera less than two weeks ago, is also a possible opponent on the horizon for George.
Yet, George is at once excited and determined to derail the Stevenson train and is solely focused on victory.
“I’m told it’s on Wealth TV, but I don’t know anyone in the States with that channel. When you think about it, this fight should 100 percent be on American TV,” he said. “I’m just going to go there kick some ass and come home. This fight is my entire life packed into one night. I need this win.”
“Fast and Dangerous 3.0” will be held at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
