NEW YORK- Light-heavyweight contender Shaun George tipped the scales at 177.5 for his scheduled 10-round match against Jaffa Ballogou on Wednesday night at BB King Blues Club & Grill in New York City’s Times Square. Ballogou weighed exactly 177. The bout will headline Dibella Entertainment’s first installment of Broadway Boxing of 2009. The fight will be televised by SportsNet NY, with dates and times to be announced shortly.
For the 29-year-old Brooklyn native George, this fight is about sending a message to the light-heavyweight division that they won’t be able to ignore.
“When I saw him at the scales, all I could think about is how much I want to hurt this guy,” said George, 17-2-2 (8 knockouts). “He has to pay for me not getting the fights with the top ten contenders that I want. He has to pay for all the guys that have been ducking me. When I started boxing as a young man, I would take all of my aggressions out on my opponents. That’s what I plan to do with Jaffa tomorrow night.”
George is currently ranked #8 by the WBC, #9 by the IBF and #11 by the WBA. He made his introduction into the world title picture with a stirring knockout defeat of two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd last May, winning in 9 rounds after scoring three knockdowns. As an amateur, George was a two-time New York Golden Gloves champ, holding a record of 51-7.
Ballogou’s 46-7 (40 knockouts) record is an accurate representation of the dangerous challenge that he presents. Ballogou has traveled the globe, fighting the sport’s best, including three world champions. Ballogou is known as “The African Assassin” and hails from the West African nation of Togo.
“I want to thank all the fans for their support,” George says. “Come out and support the show. It’s going to be an exciting night. He’s coming to fight, I’m coming to fight, but I will be the last man standing.”
Tickets for the event, priced at $150, $100, and $55 can be purchased by calling 212-947-2577. BB King Blues Club & Grill is located at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42 Street in New York City.