Seth Mitchell vs. Ruslan Chagaev a possibility for July 7th

By Boxing News - 05/17/2012 - Comments

Image: Seth Mitchell vs. Ruslan Chagaev a possibility for July 7thBy Eric Thomas: A bout between unbeaten heavyweight contender Seth Mitchell (25-0-1, 19 KO’s) and former WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (29-2-1, 18 KO’s) is a possibility for July 7th on the undercard of former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan’s next fight card in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mitchell, #6 WBO, #9 WBC, is thought by some to be a future heavyweight champion once the Klitschko brothers retire from the sport. But for now, he’s still a project that needs a ton of work, as we saw in his last fight against 2nd tier heavyweight Chazz Witherspoon last month. Mitchell was staggered badly in the 1st round by Witherspoon, and likely wouldn’t have made it out of the round had he been facing a better heavyweight than Witherspoon. Mitchell did come back to get a stoppage in the 3rd, but it wasn’t a promising sight to see Witherspoon teeing off on Mitchell in the opening round.

Mitchell’s also could end up facing heavyweight contender Chauncy Welliver if the fight with Chagaev doesn’t happen. That would seem like a safer bet for Mitchell than to put him in with the southpaw Chagaev, because Welliver hasn’t faced anyone of real quality yet, and is vulnerable. Chagaev might be a step too far for Mitchell at this early stage in his career and I’d be surprised if his promoters allowed him to take this fight.

Chagaev, 33, has won his last two fights against Billy Zumbrun and Kertson Manswell after suffering a defeat by Alexander Povetkin in a 12 round decision loss for the vacant WBA heavyweight title in August 2011. Chagaev previously held the World Boxing Association title from 2007 to 2008. However, he ended up having the title stripped from him for not keeping up with his defenses. In June 2009, Chagaev stepped in and replaced injured David Haye in a fight against IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and was subsequently blown out in a 9th round stoppage.



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