Exclusive: Undefeated 'Comanche Boy' George Tahdooahnippah, and trainer Jeff Mayweather (Page 2)

Jeff Mayweather (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)                  

...Continued from page 1

LS: Hi Jeff. How are you doing tonight?

JM: I'm doing good.

LS: I really appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. I just spoke with George. How's he advancing in his training?

JM: I think he's making great progress. He's catching on. He's a much better defensive fighter already. Now he's turning his right hand over, which is something that he wasn't doing  when I first started working with him. He's making some great progress in a short time.

LS: What are his assets and what kind of things do you feel he needs to work on?

JM: Well, don't get me wrong, but George is still very much a green fighter. I mean, you know, his competition has been somewhat weak. But there's nothing wrong with that because he's a guy that has no amateur background or anything like that. In order to get to the next level, he's going to have to step up on certain things, and like I said, most importantly to me will be his defense. Defense adds longevity to your career, and that's something that I specialize in, so of course I'm going to pass it on to him as well.

LS: He told me that he got started kind of late in boxing. Do you see some good potential there? I know he's 31 now, but do you see him as a good prospect?

JM: Yeah, I mean, he still has a lot to go, but I think he's a young 31. He's not an old 31. I think that even now, he probably even feels more rejuvenated by being trained by someone who has trained world champions before. You know, that in itself raises your confidence. It makes you say, "Hey, I want to know what this guy is teaching those guys," and so far he's been doing well. He's been a great student, you know? He's thirsting for knowledge, and that's what I like about him. You know, he's realistic about the fact that he's an undefeated fighter, but also he's aware of the type of competition that he's been in there with, so he's not fooling himself. If he thought that was the case, he would never have even contacted me. I think that it was wise for them to contact me or someone else on a higher level. One thing about me is that I want to bring out the best in you no matter what it is. I mean, you know, I can't say if he's going to be a world champion, or if he's not going to be a world champion, but I can say that if a world champion is inside of him, I'll bring it out of him.

Super bantamweight champion, Celistino Caballero (AP Photo)

LS: He seems excited about training with you. You're a world-class trainer. How long have the Mayweathers been into boxing? Did it start with you and your brothers or did it even pre-date that?

JM: No, it started with my older brother, Floyd Sr. So we've been involved in boxing for over three decades. That's a lot of boxing knowledge. (laughs)

LS: Yes it is, and it shows.

JM: Well thank you. I mean for the most part, we've been one of the most successful families in boxing, not only as boxers, but as trainers as well.

LS: Who are some other guys that you're working with right now?

JM: I'm working with Mickey Bey, who actually was an Olympian in 2004, but he didn't get to make the trip because he ended up catching pneumonia. He's 15-0 with 8 KOs. You know, he should have already been a world champion, but he's had a lot of different personal problems and he's gotten himself side-tracked. Now he's trying to get back focused and actually pursue the dream. A belt should already be on his waist. He's very, very talented.

George "Comanche Boy" Tahdooahnippah (Photo G. Tahdooahnippah)

Of course I have Celestino Caballero who's the WBA super bantamweight champion. He's moved up to 126 now. Hopefully he'll be fighting in September. We're having a very, very tough time trying to capture a major fight, I mean a really big fight with Gamboa or Lopez. 

LS: Wow, either of those guys would make for a great fight.

JM: Yeah, that's the goal. I also have a young kid that's out of Philadelphia, but now he lives in Phoenix. His name is Chase Corbin. He's 3-0, with 3 knockouts.

Then I have a very, very talented amateur fighter, Samuel Martinez, and I think that one day he's going to make his mark in boxing as well. He's very, very talented, extremely fast and a very good puncher. So I have a nice little stable of fighters that I think are all going to do very well, George included.

LS: Ok. So you're working with some amateurs also.

JM: Yes. I have a lot more amateurs than I do pros. Actually, I took a count of all the fighters that I work with, but I don't work with them all at one time, of course. I have 18 fighters that I work with on and off.

LS: That ought to keep you busy.

JM: Oh yeah. It keeps me very busy.

LS: Alright. On June 8th "Comanche" George Tahdooahnippah in Oklahoma City. Are you going to be there with him?

JM: Yeah, I'm going to be there. I look forward to meeting you in person.

LS: Yeah, man. I'll see you there.

JM: Ok, sounds good.

LS: I've really enjoyed talking to you. Thanks a lot, Jeff.

JM: Thank you.

T

The "Lord of the Plains" professional boxing event, featuring "Comanche Boy" George Tahdooahnippah, Stephanie "All Action" Dobbs, and Jonathan "The Choctaw Warrior" Nelson is scheduled for July 8, at Remington Park's boxing venue, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

Tickets will be available on Monday, June 21 and may be purchased at Tix.com, or by calling 405-473-5000.

Learn more about "Comanche Boy" by visiting his website, www.comancheboy.com.

Send questions and comments to lscoggins@8countnews.com

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