Heavyweight boxing has become a dreadful affair in recent years, largely because the talent is lacking. But even with guys who have some ability, a sense of safety-first fighting pervades the division. There are few attack-oriented heavyweights and, thus, there are few heavyweights that fans want to see.
Mitchell, 29, has much to prove and hasn?t faced anything remotely close to top competition yet. But he at least has the mentality that Americans seem to demand from their heavyweights: He not only comes to fight, he comes to maim and go for the knockout.
He?ll get his first shot at the big-time on Saturday in Washington, D.C., when he takes on fringe contender Timur Ibragimov in an HBO-televised 10-round bout that will serve as an undercard match for the super lightweight title fight between Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson.
?I just honestly try to be the best that I can be and try to accomplish as much as I can in the sport,? said Mitchell, who is 23-0-1 with 17 knockouts. ?I just believe my style and the way I fight is creating a lot of buzz. Not only do I look the part ? I?m 6-2, 240-plus pounds ? but I bring speed and I bring athleticism and I bring the meanness in the ring, and I compete when I?m in the ring. It?s just something that I was born with, something that was innate as far as my competitive edge. ?But, with everybody saying that I?m the next ?Great American,? hope builds a great accolade, but I don?t let that blow my head up or think too much of myself. I believe in myself and I believe I have the tools and the capability of becoming heavyweight champion of the world. I just continue to just try to work hard and try to be the best that I can so I can provide for my family.?
To provide for his family, he needs to be able to become recognizable enough and skilled enough that he can put himself into title contention. He?s a long way from that, with very few even marginally recognizable names on his record.
But his approach is the kind that will resonate if he has the talent. And while it?s always easy for young heavyweights to say that they want to emulate ex-champion Mike Tyson, it wouldn?t be half bad if Mitchell turned out nearly as good as his favorite fighter.
