By Paul “Paparazzi” Jones (Nov 8, 2012) Boxingnews24.com (Photo © Paul “Paparazzi” Jones) Clinton, MD—On Wednesday, the Dream Team Boxing Gym hosted a media workout for NABO Heavyweight Champion Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (23-0-1, 17 KOs) in preparation for his November 17 bout versus Johnathon Banks (28-1-1, 18 KOs).
This NABO title fight at the Boardwalk Hall (Atlantic City, NJ) will be featured on HBO World Championship Boxing® as the co-main event highlighted by a lightweight championship bout between undefeated Adrien “The Problem” Broner (24-0-0, 20 KOs) and current WBC titlist Antonio “Tony” DeMarco (28-2-1, 21 KOs).
Mitchell was in excellent shape and cruised through a timed training session including ring and cardio work. The Virginia Beach native—who holds wins over Chazz Witherspoon (30-3-0), Timur Ibragimov (31-4-1), and Taurus Sykes (25-7-1)—also showed no ill effects from the hand injury that forced him to withdraw from a previously scheduled bout with Banks.
Team Mitchell expressed confidence in their preparations for the fight. “We’ll be prepared. We’ve worked on different things in my game and hopefully there’s a lot of carryover come the 17th,” Mitchell said. “I’m pretty sure we have a good game plan of what [Banks] is going to try to do and whatever he does, we’ll have a counter for it.”
Mitchell’s trainer, Andre Hunter added, “[Training has] been coming along very good. [Seth] is ready. If the fight had to be [this] Saturday, he would be ready.”
Hunter also expressed confidence in Mitchell’s experience. “Seth can go in [the ring] with anybody. He has the ability. Whether he’s been in boxing long or not, the man learns so fast that he’ll be able to handle it.”
Many in the media see Mitchell’s strength as the key to victory. Boxing writer Alec Kohut, for instance, believes the former Michigan State linebacker’s size and power will be problematic for Banks. “I see [Mitchell] outmuscling Banks,” Kohut said. “When Seth hits someone, it stops them dead in their tracks and it changes the dynamics of a fight.”
Team Mitchell is not taking Banks lightly, however. “[Banks] is a very experienced fighter with good skills,” Hunter said.
Mitchell’s Manager, Sharif Salim, added, “We have a very formidable foe in front of us. Johnathon Banks is a very quality opponent, probably the best we’ve faced.”
Indeed, Banks is no pushover boasting a solid amateur pedigree, top 15 IBF ranking, and undefeated record as a heavyweight (8-0-1). His sole professional loss came at the hands of former Cruiserweight Champion and current IBF North America Heavyweight titlist, Tomasz Adamek (47-2-0 [29 KOs]; TKO loss in 7). A history with the late Emanuel Steward and tenure as sparring partner for top heavyweights (e.g., Wladimir Klitschko [58-3-0, 50 KOs]) establish Banks as a credible threat to Mitchell’s unblemished record.
In addition, Banks remains confident in his boxing ability and is on record saying, “I’ll prove what a true boxer at the highest level can do against a football player.”
The implications of this bout for the career path of Mitchell are particularly salient. A loss or poor outing for the NABO Champ could derail a heavyweight arc that has taken years to build. Despite his age and the current heavyweight landscape, a loss would be a monumental setback. “Getting back in line could be a two year wait to gain momentum and come up to the level where we are right now,” Salim acknowledged.
Given the stakes involved in this match-up, next Saturday’s HBO doubleheader promises to be worth the price of admission.
Other News & Notes
• Also on hand for the open workout was boxing veteran DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley (39-20-1, 23 KOs) and 2012 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson.
• This fight is one of the first major sporting events in Atlantic City in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
• Though an active fighter, Banks is now the de facto trainer of Wladimir Klitschko.
• Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50, and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at ticketmaster.com.
More from Paul:
See:
The Year in Review: Seven Fights That Moved the Boxing Needle in 2011—Pacquiao, Ward, More! Paul Jones
The Capital Showdown: A brief review – Peterson beats Khan, More! Paul Jones
—Questions/Comments: Contact Paul at pjonesfreelance@hotmail.com.
Note. The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect those of Boxingnews24.com or its affiliates.
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