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LAWTON, Okla. – George Tahdooahnippah has been a fighter all his life. Growing up he fought his brothers, cousins, and even his sisters, although he says they usually got the best of him.

George Tahdooahnippah/ PHOTO FROM WWW.COMANCHEBOY.COM
Now Tahdooahnippah has found a successful and positive way to channel that fighting spirit.
He is currently the Native American Boxing Council super middleweight champion, with a record of 19-0 with 18 of those wins coming by knockout.
Known as “Comanche Boy” the 29-year-old didn’t take the same route as most that box professionally.
“I wrestled as a teenager and then some in college. I then started kickboxing for a while and when I was 23 I joined a boxing gym here in Lawton. Since then I’ve been boxing,” he said.
Tahdooahnippah got involved in boxing because of a love for fighting and a competitiveness that needed an outlet. He sees it as a savior that came along at the right time in his life.
“When I got started boxing I was pretty wild and bad temptations in life were all around me. It really gave me a discipline that I needed. It helped me get my life in order and gave me some structure,” he said.
That structure is provided through the life he leads and the physical training he does. Boxing isn’t his sole focus. Tahdooahnippah also works for the Comanche nation and is a family man with three sons. “I work eight to five for my tribe. I don’t have enough time to get up in the morning and run. I do all of my running on my lunch break and then I head straight to the boxing gym right after work. I’m there for two hours grinding it out hard. Then I come home and take care of my kids and try to rest up for the next day. My life is real stressful, but I have a belief it will turn out all right,” he said.
Boxing has turned out all right for Tahdooahnippah. When he first decided to fight his goal was just to have the opportunity to fight on HBO. He has achieved that goal and then some. He now has his eye on a loftier goal.
“My ultimate goal is to win a world championship,” he said.
A world title would be great but Tahdooahnippah doesn’t plan on hanging around forever trying to accomplish it. He has many other interest and things he is involved in.
“I see myself fighting three more years, maybe four if things are really rolling. I’ve got a lot of different things going on in my life besides boxing. Number one in my life before boxing was education. I’ve been involved with enviromental work for my tribe. Now I’m involved in some anti diabetes work for them. As Native Americans we’re way behind as far as living a healthy lifestyle. That’s my new fight. I’ve got to get out there and get some education and awareness going for all people about living a healthier life,” he said.
Tahdooahnippah is proud to be Native American and it’s reflected in almost everything he does. He wants to use his success to give something back to his people and his community.
“There are a lot of gifted Native American athletes. I would like to be a mentor or an inspiration to them. You have got to always keep believing and work hard. Remember where you come from and that will keep you going. Hold your head up high and carry yourself with pride,” he said.
Tahdooahnippah will be in the ring on July 25 at Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls, Texas, against Dan Wallace. He will fight again in Oklahoma at Remington Park in August.