Seth Mitchell – The Great American Hope

By Boxing News - 04/27/2012 - Comments

Image: Seth Mitchell – The Great American HopeBy John F. McKenna (McJack): Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (24-0-1, 18 KO’s) faces Philadelphia heavyweight Chazz Witherspoon (30-2, 22 KO’s) on Saturday night at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Seth is thought by many boxing fans to potentially be the next great American heavyweight.

Mitchell will be getting much needed exposure as he will be fighting on the undercard of the Bernard Hopkins – Chad Dawson fight in a bout that will be carried live by cable giant HBO.

Mitchell, who will turn 30 years old on May 29, can use the exposure which HBO affords him, after beginning his boxing career at the advanced age of 25. “Mayhem” had to give up his first love, which was football, due to injury. His boxing career was just an afterthought for the athletic Mitchell who now wants to take advantage of his God given athletic ability.

It is thought that Seth, at 6’2” 245 pounds, has all the physical attributes needed to make him a success in boxing. He has size, power, a good left jab and intelligence to go along with the work ethic required to rise to the status of champion. Being discovered by HBO definitely has its advantages in that Mitchell will by hyped as a future threat to either of the Klitschko’s. There is already talk, premature though it may be, that WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (57-3, 50 KO’s) is eyeing up both brawler Chris Arreola and Mitchell for a possible fight in November after Wlad dispatches his mandatory challenger Tony Thompson on July 7.

HBO management knows a good heavyweight prospect when they see one. And while national exposure is sure to help Seth get to where he wants to go there is a downside to fighting on HBO. Mitchell is in the position where he needs to look spectacular every time out. To do that he is not always matched with the very best competition, “Mayhem” is now on the fast track of achieving his dreams of landing a heavyweight title shot. He cannot afford to lose.

But if there is one thing Mitchell needs it is for him to be seriously tested by an opponent who takes him into deep water. Seth is currently on a streak in which he has stopped his last nine opponents in a row. Mitchell boxed only twenty rounds in those nine contests. Many fighters who easily defeat a long procession of opponents frequently begin believing their own hype. It’s hard not to when each and every opponent falls down almost as soon as you walk into the ring.

The problems begin when you land the title shot you were hoping for and across the ring from you stands one of the Klitschko brothers.



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