Lajuan "Simply Marvelous" Simon!
Meets Sylvester in IBF Eliminator Saturday...

June 23, 2009
Interview: Rick Scharmberg
Photos: Ed Mulholland/FightWireImages.com

Lajuan Simon (21-1-2, 12 KOs), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Sebastian Sylvester (30-3, 15 KOs), of Greifswald, Germany will face off Saturday in a twelve round IBF middleweight eliminator at Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany. Simon, ranked #10 by the IBF, and Sylvester, ranked #5, will battle for the vacant #2-spot in the IBF rankings. The shot is a reward of sorts for Simon, who fought tooth and nail with IBF world champion Arthur Abraham in a title challenge last March, only to lose a lopsided decision. Many neutral observers felt that Simon deserved perhaps a draw. Sylvester dropped a decision to Felix Sturm in a WBA title challenge last November, but bounced back to win the IBF International title in his next bout.

Lajuan Simon turned pro on September 7, 2002, winning a unanimous decision over Kiran Hill, at Fernwood Resort in Bushkill, PA. Four of his next five fights took place at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, where he progressed against different styles.

His first eight round bout took place on April 15, 2005, at the National Guard Armory in North Philadelphia. Simon faced Jameel Wilson, and they fought in each other's face for a bloody eight rounds, with Simon taking the decision. Lajuan earned his reputation as a true "Philly fighter" after that fight. Simon reluctantly accepted the label, but he considered himself more than just a brawler. Simon has serious boxing skills, and he used them in the Abraham fight.

Lajuan's manager, Dave Escalet, said, "He was always a good boxer. I didn't remember he was that good until he had a broken jaw in one of his early fights, and then I saw Muhammad Ali out there."

Against Abraham, Simon was able to keep the champion on the defensive throughout the fight. He was able to use his jab and right hand to force Abraham to cover up repeatedly, and back him to the ropes. "He [Abraham] was a lot stronger than the other guys I fought," recalled Simon. "I knew I had to be busier, or go for the knockout because I knew I wouldn't get a decision. He fought in spurts. He would wait for me to get tired, and then he would jump out. He was the strongest guy I ever fought, but he covered up a lot. I can see why other guys don't want to fight him. Arthur Abraham can punch, I'll give him that," stated Lajuan.

Simon picked up a minor title in his first ten round bout in August 2005, a stoppage of rugged Manu Ntoh at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. His fistic education continued with a unanimous decision over Richard "The Alien" Grant, at the same venue two fights later.

After going 4-0-1 in his next five fights, Simon faced Corey Johnson at the Genetti Manor in Dickson City, Pennsylvania on September 13, 2007. The bout was significant, not only because it was for the USBA middleweight title, but because the fight was scheduled for twelve rounds, and would give Simon the confidence needed to go the championship distance. Weighing in at 158 pounds and in his best shape ever, Simon went the distance with Johnson, and won a unanimous decision.

For a boxer, going from small fight clubs on the east coast to fighting in a world championship bout is akin to going from the sandlots to the Big Show in baseball. Lajuan Simon is level headed enough to listen to his training team of Wade and Randy Hinnant and block out the distractions of a big fight. "It was a lot different going for the title," said Lajuan. "It was a new experience, with more media and requests for interviews. They showed a lot more interest and treated me well. The experience was different, but I went there to fight, and the crowd didn't play a part."

His manager Dave Escalet agrees, saying, "Lajuan said he expects to feel more comfortable in Germany because he was already there and knows what to expect. He went to Germany and made a name for himself. Lajuan's best quality, besides his heart, is his character. When the fight is tough, his character will come out. Make no mistake, Abraham is the best middleweight out there, and Lajuan fought him neck in neck."

After taking the USBA title, Simon received a ranking from its parent organization, the IBF. He stayed busy, winning four times in 2008, while the rest of the middleweight division sorted itself out. His fight with Abraham was a rare case where the losing fighter did much better than expected. He didn't get the win over the popular champion, but he gained respect, so much that the IBF kept him in their top-10, and gave him this shot against Sebastian Sylvester.

Escalet heaped praise on the IBF for "doing the right thing." He said, "The IBF stood behind Lajuan, and now we're getting this opportunity. Sylvester's team wanted to fight [Dionysio] Miranda, but Lindsey Tucker and the IBF said that Lajuan Simon was the better fight. They did the right thing. I give kudos to the IBF."

Simon normally trains at Joe Hand's gym under former pro Wade Hinnant and his brother Randy, but the gym relocated, and has closed for renovations. "I am training mainly at 9th and Thompson now," said Lajuan, but I've been going to the Dungeon to work with Farah Ennis, and to Shuler's to work with Yusaf Mack, and with Jamal Davis. Jamal is a shorter fighter, like Sylvester."

While nobody screamed 'robbery' after the Arthur Abraham fight, one has to look at the scoring, 117-110 (twice) and 118-109, all for Abraham. Watching the fight, which is available on the Internet, even the casual observer would agree that the fight was much closer than the scoring indicated. "All the guy did was back up and cover up," said Escalet. "It's a shame they didn't give Lajuan Simon his accolades after that gallant fight."

Simon, though, chooses to learn from the experience and move on. "I don't think about it. I am ready to pound it out and win convincingly. I don't want to have that [scoring] on my mind. I'm going to do what I'm supposed to do," he said. "I thought the [Abraham] fight was closer than the scoring. I thought I was doing enough. When he was covering up, I was hitting his arms. When he opened up, I got in some shots, especially to the body. Nothing came easy, but I got my shots in. He knew he was in a fight."

Against the 5'7 1/2" Sylvester, Lajuan, at 6'1", will enjoy a five inch height advantage, something that he will surely try to use to his advantage. Assessing Sylvester's style, Simon said, "He has a similar style as Abraham, but his defense isn't as tight. He throws straight shots, but he is not a big puncher, which is good, because I will be in his face all night. He's been stopped twice before. Felix Sturm boxed him real good with lots of lefts. We picked up on that."

Lajuan "Simply Marvelous" Simon is in Germany once again, in his pursuit of another shot at the world title. "I am going there for the number-two spot and an International belt," he said. "I will bring it home, no doubt."