Exclusive: Undefeated Oklahoman, 'Comanche Boy' George Tahdooahnippah, and trainer Jeff Mayweather

'Comanche Boy' George Tahdooahnippah (okcfightnight.com)

On Thursday evening, I spoke with “Comanche Boy” George Tahdooahnippah, and his trainer, Jeff Mayweather. George is an undefeated, Native American boxer from Lawton, Oklahoma. His professional record stands at 23-0-1, with 18 knockouts. The 31 year old is ready to take his career to the next level.

LS: How are you doing?

GT: I'm doing fine. How are you?

LS: Doing good. I really appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. You're gonna be fighting on July 8th in Oklahoma City. Do you have an opponent lined out yet?

GT: I don't know the location just yet. I've had a couple opponents fall out so I don't have a name right now. I'm just going to keep on training and preparing for whoever.

LS: You're undefeated and you've won all your fights by knockout or unanimous decision. So far, you've fought mostly in Oklahoma, but you had a big Showtime fight lined up that fell through. You were all set to fight Fernando Guerrero, another undefeated guy who is 18-0, with 15 knockouts.
It looks like you're ready to step it up and take your career to the next level.

GT: Oh yeah.

LS: Is that why you started training with Jeff Mayweather—to prepare for Guerrero?

GT: Yeah. You know, I started boxing late but I've always been a fighter all my life. I needed a trainer that has the experience that Mayweather has. I'm with him right now. We're in Vegas training for this July 8th fight. We've been here for 3 weeks. You know, I realize that within a small amount of time he can't make wonders happen for me but what he's done for me is; he's raised my confidence. It's just me believing that I am this world champion, that I'm great, that I've got power, that I'm going to dominate everybody, that my style can't be matched. That's all starting to become realistic now with Mayweather because we're really clicking. We're sparring in the gym. We're looking good. We're doing a lot of good things.

I know my age is a little older and some people might say, 'hey this guy's an old guy'. But I'm learning every day. I don't feel like an old guy. I feel like I'm young. I feel like I'm in there just learning so much stuff. I'm just doing a whole lot more different things than I was before. It's really helping. I need him for my confidence because that's what it boils down to. I know I can fight. I know I can punch. Once we get in the ring, it's going to come down to who wants it more.

LS: Well you got yourself a great trainer. The Mayweathers are a boxing family. I'm sure he must be helping you to add some new things to your arsenal.

GT: Oh yeah.

LS: What do you consider to be your greatest assets?

GT: Well, to me my strengths are my natural abilities. I'm a God-gifted fighter. I've got vision. I've got very good reaction. I've got a good jab. I seem to be able to hit and not get hit. I've got a good right hand, and that's my power hand. I like to mix it up. I'm never set on one style. I'm always doing something different, and I'm a sponge. I'm always learning more.

LS: How did you get started in boxing?

GT: Well, before me, my grandfathers, my uncles and my father were all boxers because Native Americans had to box in boarding schools. But in my time, when I grew up in Lawton Oklahoma, we didn't have boxing. I was a wrestler. They had Tough Man contests, but by the time I was 18 they were already outlawed. So, I went on the road. I wrestled a little bit in college. I heard a couple years later that the Tough Man was coming back to town. At that time I was 22 or 23.

That's what I always wanted to do. I wanted to win the Tough Man. Grady Brewer won the Tough Man. He was beating everybody. I was a kid and he was in his prime. He was an amateur boxer because they had [boxing] during his time in Lawton, but it kind of died off about the time I got old enough to box. So I came home and won the Tough Man and, I won it the next year, and went on to the world championships. Then I made it to the finals. Every since that point I just turned pro. I had a couple amateur kick boxing fights in between there but boxing was always easy to me. It came natural.

LS: You have a bachelors degree in Business Administration, so I know you have more going for you than just boxing, but what are you're aspirations as a boxer? Am I talking to a future world champion?

GT: Oh yeah! Most definitely. I'm going to be on HBO holding whatever title belt it is at that time. It might be WBC, or WBA, or IBF, or WBO. It's going to be one of them. I'm coming.

'Lord of the Plains' publicity poster

LS: Name some boxers who have inspired you. Past and present.

GT: Well, I like Muhammad Ali because of who he was and what he stood for. Just Muhammad Ali for moving on his toes, for a good jab and for his confidence level. I like Joe Louis. I like Rocky Marciano.

Modern times? I grew up [watching] Mike Tyson. His speed was just amazing, you know? People talk about his power but they didn't realize how fast he was. Then I went over to Lennox Lewis. When Lennox Lewis was on, he was on. In my opinion, I don't think any other heavyweight could deal with him when he was on. And I hate to say I'm a bandwagon jumper but I like Oscar De La Hoya. When he started out he was ferocious. He had a good jab and a good left hook. I mean, he just took care of business.

Later on I started liking Miguel Cotto, liking Pacquiao... Pacquiao, I kept [underestimating] him, you know? I thought Cotto was going to beat him, but he beat Cotto. I couldn't believe it. Then I thought Clottey was going to give him a tough one and he dominated Clottey. He made a believer out of me. I like him because of what he stands for; for his people. He's a countryman. I look up to him and admire him for that. That's how I am. That's how I think of myself for my Indian people. Then there's Floyd Mayweather Jr. He's just a wizard! I mean, this game of boxing, you ain't going to hit him flush. You might hit him but he's going to get out of it. He's a wizard.

LS: Mayweather and Pacquiao are both amazing. They're beyond anybody else out there right now.

GT: Yeah. They've got to fight.

LS: The big buzz in boxing right now is Pacquiao-Mayweather. If the fight gets made, how do you see it turning out?

GT: Man! You know, I've picked against Pacquiao every time, and now I'm part of the Mayweather crew. I'm going to have to go with Mayweather on this. I think with his generalship, he'll find a way. He always does. He's not 41-0 for nothing, you know? He knows how to win. He don't know how to lose. Pacquiao's had some tough ones and he's on a roll right now, so I don't know. He could shock me again, but I think Mayweather's got him. He's just extremely smart.
LS: Have you been following the super-six tournament?

GT: Yeah, I've been watching it.

LS: Who do you favor to win?

GT: Man, I just think Andre Ward's got it. He's a gold medalist. He's a world champion now. It's the same thing with him. He don't know how to lose. He's on top of his game. He knows how to carry himself in and out of the ring. He's been doing this every since he was a kid. I just think he's going to win.

LS: You mentioned that you're representing the Native Americans. I know that you've got a lot of people out in Oklahoma that are looking up to you and following you. What would you like to say to your fans out there?

GT: Well you know, I'm just now getting my feet in the water right now. I'm just now getting some recognition with a world-class trainer. Showtime, ESPN, everything is right there within reach. HBO's coming, and what I said when I started is that once I'm on HBO, then you know I'm on the mountaintop. But until that time, I'm going to keep on coming. I'm getting better and in my next fight you'll see the best “Comanche” George Tahdooahnippah ever.

LS: Alright, man. I'm looking forward to watching your career. You're fighting close to my area so I'll be coming out to see you in person soon.

GT: That sounds good, bro.

LS: I really appreciate you taking the time to talk with me, and good luck with everything George.

GT: Ok. Thanks a lot sir.

Next, I spoke with Jeff Mayweather about "Comanche" George Tahdooahnippah.

CLICK HERE FOR JEFF MAYWEATHER INTERVIEW

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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