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Light heavyweight prospect Shaun George seeks to take a big step towards his goal of winning a world title and closing out the year with a bang. Dangerous Philadelphian Eric Harding will need to conjure up all the will and heart that he’s been famous for in his career on December 6, when he enters the ring with Shaun George.
The fight will take place at the Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange , NJ . The show will be promoted by Hall of Fame Productions and Murad Muhammad’s M&M Sports.
Harding, 23-4-1 (7), looks to be the toughest test of George’s young career having defeated Antonio Tarver, Daniel Judah, and Montell Griffin.
Harding is also noted for giving former world champions Roy Jones Jr. and Glen Johnson difficult fights before falling short. In Harding’s last fight, he knocked down WBC Light Heavyweight champion Chad Dawson in the first round en route to a close decision loss.
The two have had a long history together, dating back to their “gym war” sparring sessions that bordered on bedlam. “We’re both competitive guys,” says George, 15-2-2 (7 KO). “We had some words after our first session and he told me ‘If we wore ten ounce gloves, I’d ice you.’ Ever since then, I’ve wanted to fight him.”
George was originally preparing to fight Glen Johnson on November 3 when Johnson’s opponent Anthony Hanshaw pulled out of their match. George was proposed to replace Hanshaw and was ready to step in on short notice. Johnson’s promoter accepted the fight, only to have Johnson turn down the challenge.
“This is the second time we tried to make the fight,” said a frustrated Shaun George. “It’s clear that he doesn’t want anything to do with me. He turned down a couple hundred thousand dollars and will instead be fighting Reggie Johnson, who has only fought once in the last five years.
The highly-motivated George, originally of Brooklyn , New York , refused to let the division’s elite’s reluctance discourage him. “If these guys are going to keep ducking and dodging, I’ll fight the best available fighters. Eventually, there will be no place left to hide.”
