Sovereign Nations Boxing Title Foes Share Spotlight In Philadelphia

ByBoxing Press

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.”