Sovereign Nations Boxing Council (SNBC) cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey defends his belt against Shawn “The Sioux Warrior” Hawk in a battle of full-blooded Native Americans on this week’s ESPN2 Friday Night Fights at The Arena in Philadelphia.

Godfrey (18-1, 10 KOs) is rated No., 6 by the World Boxing Council and No. 7 by the International Boxing Federation. He is also the North American Boxing Federation cruiserweight title-holder and rated No. 10 by The Ring magazine.

SNBC links federally recognized tribes throughout the United States and Canada. Its mission is to develop, promote and help regulate professional boxing in a fair and professional manner by federally recognized tribes that are sovereign nations.

The 28-year-old Godfrey, who captured the first SNBC title belt last November via a unanimous 10-round decision against Edward Gutierrez at 4 Bears Casino, fights out of Providence, Rhode Island. Three of Matt’s most impressive performances as a pro have been knockouts of Emmanuel Nwodo, Felix Cora, Jr. and Shaun George, all broadcast live on ESPN FNF.

“This fight on ESPN is a good opportunity to let everybody watching on national television that Native Americans are involved in everything,” Godfrey explained.

“Native Americans are not seen very often boxing on national television, but two of the best will be fighting each other in Friday night’s main event. I want to let people know that not all Native Americans live in the Dakotas.

"We’re all over the place. I’m honored to be the Sovereign Nations Boxing Council’s first champion. Friday night the boxing world will watch two Native Americans fighting at the top of the boxing world.”

Godfrey, a Wampanoag, puts his belts on the line against Hawk (18-0-1, 16 KOs), a Sioux from Crow Creek Reservation, South Dakota, which is the poorest Native American reservation in the United States.

Shawn, who trains in Minot, North Dakota, had a 108-12 amateur record, including victories in four national championships, highlighted by a gold-medal performance at the National PAL Tournament when he was 14.

“Matt Godfrey is a great champion and it’s an honor to have him as the current SNBC cruiserweight champion,” SNBC president Pat Packineau said. “Shawn Hawk feels the belt should be his but he knows that he has to earn it because Matt isn’t going to give it to him for free.”

Share/Save | (0) comments | Add your comments
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Matt Godfrey Wins Inaugural SNBC Cruiserweight Title

  World cruiserweight contender Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, 18-1 (10), rated No. 3 by the WBC, became the first Sovereign Nations Boxing Council (SNBC) champion last Saturday night when he won >
  
  

• Godfrey vs. Gutierrez For Inaugural SNBC Boxing Title This Saturday

  NABF cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, 17-1 (10), rated No. 3 by the WBC, fights Saturday night for the first Sovereign Nations Boxing Council (SNBC) title against Eddie “The >
  
  

• Boxing Update: Matt Godfrey Relinquishes SNBC Title Belt

  World rated cruiserweight contender Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey has relinquished his Sovereign Nations Boxing Council (SNBC) belt so that worthy contenders may fight for it as he prepares for a >
  
  

• King’s Promotions To Put On Boxing Benefit Show This Saturday

  King's Promotions' Saturday Night at the Fights, to be held this Saturday evening September 9th in the Reading Eagle Theater at the Sovereign Center in Reading, PA, will include a >
  
  

• TKO Boxing Plans Glove Giveaway At “Battle Of York 4″ This Saturday

  TKO Boxing Promotions has announced that the first 100 children, 10 years and under, will receive an autographed boxing glove signed by The Fighting Pride of Central Pennsylvania, Carney Bowman >
  
  

• TKO Boxing Adds Andres “Taylor Made” Taylor To Tonight’s York Fight Card

  Cruiserweight contender Andres Taylor returns tonight, August 1st at an action packed evening of world class boxing presented by Chet Koerner’s TKO Boxing Promotions at the Sovereign Bank Baseball Stadium >
  
  

• TKO Boxing: Bowman vs. Placencia Headlines “Battle Of York 4″ Tonight

  With training just about over, Carney Bowman is anxious to return to the ring tonight, August 1st in the main event against Delvin Placencia at the Sovereign Bank Baseball Stadium. >
  
  

• Peltz Boxing: Allen vs. Tapia Added To December 5 Reading Show

  Unbeaten junior welterweight Rock Allen, of Philadelphia, PA, will box Humberto Tapia, of Tijuana, Mexico, in the scheduled eight-round semifinal contest Friday evening, December 5, at The Reading Eagle >
  
  

• Boxing Info: Saturday Night At The Fights

  After the success of their May 12th fight card, King's Promotions returns to the Reading Eagle Theater at the Sovereign Center in Reading, PA on September 9, 2006 with a >
  
  

• Bowman vs. Placencia Headline “Battle Of York 4″ Boxing Show August 1

  Carney Bowman, the Fighting Pride of Central Pennsylvania, will battle hard hitting Dominican Delvin Placencia in the main event of TKO Boxing Promotions' bill on Saturday, August 1st at the >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: CES Boxing, Chris Henry, Matt Godfrey, Shaun George, Shawn Hawk