They say good guys finish last! Well, former USBA middleweight champion Lajuan Simon, 23-3-2 (12), of Philadelphia is one of the good guys in boxing. On October 15^th he will challenge WBA champion Gennady Golovkin, 21-0 (18), in the champions home country of Almaty, Kazakhstan.

In 2009 Simon lost a close if not disputed decision to IBF champion Arthur Abraham in Germany. On short notice he returned to Germany 3 months later losing to Sebastian Sylvester for the IBF International title in an elimination bout for vacant IBF title due to Abraham moving up to super middleweight. Before the year was out Simon defended the USBA title he won in 2007 defeating Elvin Ayala in his only defense.

In 2010 after Simon defeated Jose Angel Rodriguez he lost a split decision to Dionisio Miranda in December of 2010 in his last fight. Though losing 3 of his last 5 fights Simon’s advisor Dave Escalet has lined his boxer up for another title shot under the Gary Shaw banner. Escalet is President of the newly formed Fisticuff Productions who have recently signed Edgar “Elchamaco” Santana, the new NABA light welterweight champion. In addition he has Franklin “Yah-Yah” Lawrence the WBC (CABOFE) champion and No. 1 NABF heavyweight contender. The most recent signings were female boxers Melissa “Hurican” Hernandez and and Ronica “Queen” Jeffrey.

Golovkin defeated Colombia’s Milton Nunez for the interim title. The bout took place in Panama. Later in 2010 Golovkin defeated Nelson Julio Tapia, 14-2-1, in Kazakhstan for the WBA title when Felix Sturm was recognized as WBA Super champion.

Golovkin has won his last 8 fights by knockout starting with his first 10 rounder. In his last defense in June he stopped former IBF light middleweight champion Kassim Ouma in Panama. Golovkin was a junior world amateur champion in 2000 and a silver medalist in the 2004 Olympics. He depends on his punching power and Simon has not been stopped in his 27 bouts and had a fine amateur record of his own.

In talking with Escalet he had this to say about the upcoming bout: “Lajuan broke his hand in his last fight in the 7^th round and has since had surgery to correct it causing his inactivity this year. He has had problems making weight up until fight time but is right on schedule this time. We have added Brian Cohen as his conditioner and see the difference already. Lajuan is trained by Wade and Randy Hinnant. He does his training at the Joe Hand Gym in Philadelphia.

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