How a sharp wit, a sharper pen, and a love for the sweet science made George Hanson Jr. a legend — and a lifelong friend
Congratulations to my friend and one of the finest sportswriters to ever put pen to paper — George Hanson Jr., newly inducted member of the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame, Class of 2025.
I first crossed paths with George in 2011 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Super Six World Boxing Classic Final was underway — Andre Ward versus Carl Froch, a battle of wills and fists for the Ring Magazine and WBC super middleweight titles.
I was seated at press row, notebook ready, surrounded by the restless buzz of boxing journalists, each dissecting every feint, jab, and clinch. Ward was masterful that night — too masterful, in fact. His dominance over Froch was so complete, it left some of us wondering if Froch would ever land cleanly.
Then, above the chorus of murmurs and debate, a voice boomed — rich, melodic, and unmistakably Jamaican.
“Hey, Cboxinginfo, who you give that round to? You better have given it to Froch — man’s blocking punches with his face!”
Laughter broke out across press row. A few rounds later, he doubled down:
“Oh, Froch took that one, for sure. He missed more punches than he caught on his chin!”
For twelve rounds, that voice brought levity and life to the tension. It was the kind of wit that only a true boxing man could deliver — sharp, observant, and joyfully unfiltered.
When the final bell rang, Ward’s unanimous decision was announced — 115–113, 115–113, 118–110 — and that same Jamaican voice thundered once again:
“I told you they were giving Froch those rounds! I told you!”
Hours later, when the crowd had emptied and I’d wrapped up my post-fight interview with Michael Amakor of Fight Kings, I was formally introduced to the man behind the voice — “The Pope of Pugilism” himself, George Hanson Jr.
Impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, George exuded both class and charisma. A former amateur boxer from Jamaica turned Philadelphia attorney, he was as knowledgeable about the law as he was about the sweet science. Within minutes, we were deep in conversation — boxing history, Philly culture, the best cheesesteaks in town. Before we parted ways, he shared his dream of launching a new boxing column, The Mouthpiece. We exchanged contact info, and I thought that was that.
Little did I know, that chance meeting would spark a friendship that’s lasted more than a decade — one built on laughter, respect, and a shared love for the sport that unites us all.
Over the years, George has owned his lane in boxing journalism. He didn’t just cover fights; he brought them to life. His writing fused intellect with street-level authenticity, elevating every story into a cultural moment. His pen was as sharp as a left hook, and his words hit just as hard.
From ringside recaps to historical deep dives, George Hanson Jr. has given fans a ringside seat to the soul of boxing. It’s no surprise that he was named Philadelphia Boxing Writer of the Year an astonishing 15 consecutive times (2010–2024) — a streak as legendary as any fighter’s championship run. His contributions to cboxinginfo.com have enriched the sport’s storytelling and inspired writers and fans alike.
So today, we don’t just celebrate an induction — we celebrate a legacy.
King George, congratulations on your well-deserved place among the greats in the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame. More importantly, thank you — for the laughter at press row, the knowledge you’ve shared, and the friendship you’ve given.
You’ve shown us that the fight isn’t just in the ring — it’s in the words that preserve its magic for generations to come.
