Sharmba Mitchell's quest for 60 wins continues. The two-time former WBA Super Lightweight champion from Takoma Park, MD won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Luis Cruz in an nationally televised bout from Cathedral City, CA.
The judges scorecards read 97-93, 97-93 and 96-94. Mitchell raises his record to 57-5 with 30 KO's and gives Cruz just his second loss, dropping his record to 31-2-2, 26 KO's.
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS: I had some trepidations about this bout going into it. Talking to Mitchell here on the blog, I didn't hear the confidence, almost cockiness that I normally hear from him when I interview him. There were rumors floating around that Mitchell was using this bout as a "retirement party" and his mind wasn't really into this bout.
Obviously by his performance, my fears and the rumors were all laid to rest. Overall, Mitchell looked good. He was in control most of the way and he even played Cruz's game of power throughout the contest. It was a good win at this stage of his career.
One other note: How about that all-star lineup of trainers Mitchell had in his corner! Longtime Mitchell trainer Marvin "Rock" Simms was joined by Barry Hunter and SGT. Charles Mooney! I'm also very happy that ESPN2 announcers Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas saw a significance in that and made note of the corner. That shows some serious Beltway loyalty!!
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13 comments:
Mitchell had some of the best trainers in his cornor last nite it showed that he was real serious about winning that fight .
So many of our local fighters don't stay focus on boxing they keep getting in alot of trouble outside of the ring
Tom
Yea i did notice that also Mitchell
looked alot different from his fight with floyd . I'm not saying this is the rebirth of Mitchell but with the team he has around him i think he can get at least one more title shot before he retires
Tom, I agree wholeheartedly.
I was thinking about what I said before and maybe his lack of cockiness shows a new resolve that he has even at this late stage of his career.
If this is any indication, he does seem more focused.
And yes, we do have a problem of keeping some of our guys focused on the sport.
Ken,
As you may have heard in my interview with Sharmba, he seems to want to battle Arturo Gatti should Gatti beat Baldomir for the WBA title. We'll just have to wait and see.
Mitchell is still full of himself and will not beat anybody in the top five.
Mitchell said he is ready to fight de la hoya, It looks like that win boosted up his ego alot. Because i haven't heard calling out fighters in awhile ..
Dc boxers are 0-2 vs dela hoya
I can't see Sharmba fighting De La Hoya. He's too small. He told me he wants Arturo Gatti if he defeats Carlos Baldomir.
Where is that guy Arvin something? I saw him fight a couple of times at the Ballroom and he was ok. Heard he is fighting Joppy in July.
You're talking about Ishmail "The Arsenal" Arvin. He is a solid prospect, but he hasn't fought since November of 2005. I know he has been banged up for a while.
I doubt a fight against Joppy would happen anytime soon for two reasons.
1. Arvin would have to move up in weight because Joppy is trying to challenge at super middleweight.
2. There is talk that Joppy is trying to get a bout against one of two super middleweight champions -- WBO champ Joe Calzaghe or WBA titleholder Mikkel Kessler.
So unless he needed a bout that he would think as a "tuneup," I don't think there is an Arvin-Joppy bout coming anytime soon.
Gary
Now That Joppy Legal problems
are behind him do you think he will be a champion again.
Joppy is shot he hasn't been the same since tito destroyed him and made him look like an amature fighter who just started boxing
Tim
FairFax,Va
Jalen:
To be honest, Joppy's best days are probably behind him. I do still think he can be a very competitive boxer, but he has been in some difficult bouts especially late in his career. I don't think he has enough to be a champion at this stage at 168 pounds.
I probably would be more confident had I not seen Joe Calzaghe decimate Jeff Lacy. I also have heard great things about Kessler. At this stage of his career, I don't think Joppy, at 168, is in their class.
Tim, as far as Joppy's performance against Trinidad. I was in attendance for that bout. All the Trinidad fans that I talked to admired Joppy's heart in that contest.
Joppy's performance was a result of a boxer and a trainer conflicting over a game plan. Earlier that week, Joppy and his then trainer, Rock Simms were on a conference call. When asked how they were going to battle Trinidad, Joppy wanted to box and use his skills. Simms wanted to go at him because Joppy was the natural 160 pounder and thought he was stronger.
In reality, they tried both styles and neither really worked. But if they had put together one game plan and tried to stick with it, Joppy may not have won, but at least it may have been a more competitive bout.
But to say Joppy looked like an amateur against Trinidad is, I think, a little strong.
Teddy Atlas has always shown love to DC area boxers. He's a good dude, a great commentator, and a real straightshooter. Congrats Sharmba!!!
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