Talking Boxing with SHARMBA MITCHELL
On Tszyu's layoff: "Maybe he will be able to put up his best, but he still can’t beat me"
by
Jason Peck
11/1 - It has been more than three years since a knee injury cost 'interim' IBF champion
Shamba Mitchell, 55-3, his WBA junior welterweight title against WBC champion Kosta Tszyu. While Tszyu unified the belts, Mitchell fought eight times with eight victories to get another shot at avenging his loss. His chance finally comes on November 6th, when Tszyu returns to fight Mitchell for the IBF belt.
Mitchell took some time out of his schedule to talk one-on-one with TalkingBoxing.com about his shot at redemption. Showtime will televise the world title fight from the Glendale Arena in Phoenix, Ariz., at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
SHARMBA MITCHELL
Jason Peck: What has your training routine been looking like lately?
Sharmba Mitchell: I’ve just been working out, that’s all. I’ve been fighting regularly, and that’s what’s keeping me in shape.
Jason Peck: So have there been any changes or are you sticking with what you’ve been doing before?
Sharmba Mitchell: I’m staying with what I’ve done before. He hasn’t trained with the injuries, but you can never take things for granted.
Jason Peck: What are you preparing for in the fight?
Some fighters have done it with layoffs, and some haven’t. Maybe he will be able to put up his best, but he still can’t beat me.  |
| Sharmba Mitchell |
Sharmba Mitchell: I’ve been preparing for a lot of hooks, a lot of right hands. I’ve been preparing for him to come in early finish it.
Jason Peck: Do you think you’ll be facing Kosta at his full power? You have earlier made comments that you didn’t think he would.
Sharmba Mitchell: Maybe he will. We won’t know until November 6th. Some fighters have done it with layoffs, and some haven’t. Maybe he will be able to put up his best, but he still can’t beat me.
Jason Peck: Kosta has acknowledged this will be his toughest fight. Has his stronger rhetoric changed your fight plan?
Sharmba Mitchell: No, I’m not concerned. I’m taking it seriously too, because this is a serious matter . There’s no way he wants me as bad as I want him.
Jason Peck: So you have any predictions for how the fight will end?
Sharmba Mitchell: I’ll be undisputed at the end. I never make a prediction like how it will go, if a knockout comes, it comes.
Jason Peck: Within the next few months the other 140 champions like Arturo Gatti and Vivian Harris will have title defenses. Do you see any of the belts changing hands?
Sharmba Mitchell: No, not really. I will always be the super champion, so it doesn’t make a difference to me.
Jason Peck: Earlier you commented that you wanted to move to 147 and fight Cory Spinks. Is that still open?
Sharmba Mitchell: Maybe, I can’t think about it right now. I need to think about right now. If I don’t get past this fight, then there’s no Spinks, no nothing.
Jason Peck: But the 140 division has become one of the most popular divisions in boxing. Why move to welterweight when you can still unify the 140 titles?
Sharmba Mitchell: When you become the unified champion, you want to do bigger things. When I beat Kosta I’ll be the unified champ, so I’ll want to do bigger things.
Jason Peck: Most rankings have you at the top of your division. What does it feel like to finally get your respect?
Sharmba Mitchell: It’s great, but you have to live up to it, that’s what I have to do.
Jason Peck: Was it hard to regain respect after losing to Tzsyu the first time?
Sharmba Mitchell: I think I had a great enough showing, that I was in there. I was no joke, no fluke. So it says a lot when you come in there a warrior.
Jason Peck: So how would you respond to critics that say your fight was Lovemore N’Dou was far closer than it was scored?
Sharmba Mitchell: [laughing] They need to look at the videotape. I thought it was much closer myself until I saw the tape again.
Jason Peck: Any plans for a post-fight career?
Sharmba Mitchell: I haven’t thought about it anymore. Whatever needs to be done, I’ll do. If he [Kosta] gives me the energy to move on further, then I will fight more.
Recent interview with Sharmba from September, HERE
TalkingBoxing.com would like to thank Sharmba Mitchell for taking the time to chat and for this terrific opportunity to speak to a fantastic champion!
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