By Sean Crose
Back in 2023, Bronx native George Arias faced a daunting challenge when he squared off against fellow rising heavyweight Jared Anderson. Unlike the aggressive approach of a young Mike Tyson—whom Arias was often likened to—he chose to fight Anderson from a distance. Unfortunately, this decision proved costly. Arias lacked sufficient activity in the ring, resulting in his corner halting the fight after a punishing third round at Anderson’s hands. This marked a tough defeat for the once unbeaten contender.
Things didn’t quite fall into place for Arias in his next bout either. Although he didn’t walk out a loser against Skylar Lacy last spring, Arias found himself settling for a draw when the judges rendered their verdict. Now, with no victories to his name since June 2022, Arias is gearing up for a comeback in the ring. The 33-year-old, with a record reading 18 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, is set to face Helaman Olguin, who stands at 9 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw. They’ll clash in an eight-round co-main event at Manhattan’s iconic Sony Hall come Thursday night. This match is part of Boxing Insider’s latest fight card, which will also feature an exciting welterweight showdown between Avious Griffin and Jose Luis Sanchez, scheduled for ten rounds.
Luckily for Arias—and boxing enthusiasts alike—the fascination with maintaining a flawless record seems to be fading. Not so long ago, fighters who didn’t boast the spotless records of legends like Floyd Mayweather or Rocky Marciano were often unjustly deemed inferior. But as we move away from those notions, fighters like Arias can continue to aspire for greatness. Arias, although smaller for a heavyweight, showcases considerable talent. His bob-and-weave technique draws comparisons to Tyson, Joe Frazier, and Jack Dempsey—all legendary small heavyweights.
While Arias may not pack the same punch as those icons, his technique has earned him 18 wins in 20 matches—a commendable record by any measure. Fighting in front of a hometown New York City crowd later this week could provide a morale boost, and with the event being broadcast live on DAZN, Arias has all the motivation he needs. A compelling victory could very well reignite interest in his boxing career.
Interested in attending the event live at Sony Hall? Tickets are available here.
