By John F. McKenna (McJack): New American heavyweight prospect Seth Mitchell (24-0-1, 18 KO’s) achieved what he and his team set out to do on Saturday night when he scored a 2nd round TKO over the more experienced 1996 Olympian Timur Ibragimov (30-4-1, 16 KO’s). Mitchell sized up Ibragimov up in the 1st round and then decided to start unloading the heavy artillery early in the 2nd round.
Seth landed a brutal overhand right and followed it up with several more, quickly putting Timur in serious trouble. Michell demonstrated that he has the killer instinct by immediately going after Ibragimov once he had him in trouble. At that point is was just a matter of time before the referee stepped in to intervene to save Ibragimov from any further damage.
Saturday nights match against Ibragimov gave Mitchell some much needed TV exposure as it was shown on HBO on the undercard of the Amir Khan – Lamont Peterson fight. Mitchell finished off Timur by landing 23 of the 46 power shots he threw in the 2nd round.
Mitchell is a former college standout who played middle linebacker at Michigan State until a knee injury ended his hopes of playing football in the National Football League. “Mayhem” as his fans call him had an abbreviated amateur boxing career which began in 2006. As an amateur Seth was won 9 fights while losing only 1. Mitchell has been steadily improving since he turned pro in 2008.
Although his boxing career began late Seth does not see that as a major drawback. He has natural athletic ability, a good work ethic and most importantly a good attitude. He feels that the rigors of previously playing football will serve him in good stead as he continues to pursue his boxing career.
Seth Mitchell passed his first major hurdle against Ibragimov with flying colors. He has the determination, size and athletic ability, combined with a work ethic that boxing trainers dream of finding. It is an elusive combination that forced American trainer Teddy Atlas to go to Eastern Europe in search of a heavyweight prospect. And while it is way too early to determine whether or not “Mayhem” will be a legitimate contender, he seemingly has all the tools.
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