Mitchell, a native of Takoma Park, MD, (57-6, 30 KO's) started his career in 1988 shortly after turning 18 and won his first 31 bouts and an NABF lightweight title. The streak included notable wins over former world champions Rafael "Bazooka" Limon and Rocky Lockridge. The Limon victory was definitely notable because Limon pulled Mitchell's trunks down during the bout. In Mitchell's next bout, he took a playful precaution to avoid that happening again by wearing suspenders on his trunks as he came into the ring.
Mitchell's winning streak was halted by back-to-back knockout losses in 1994 to future world champions Leavander Johnson and Stevie Johnston. Mitchell then moved up in weight to compete as a light welterweight and won his next 11 bouts earning him his first world title shot on October 10, 1998. Mitchell defeated Moroccan Khalid Rahilou in Bercy, France by 12-round unanimous decision to win the WBA World Light Welterweight title.
Mitchell successfully defended the title four times including twice in DC. On February 6, 1999 at the Convention Center, Mitchell won a 12-round unanimous decision over veteran Pedro Saiz. Two months later on April 24, 1999, Mitchell won a 12-round majority decision at the MCI (now Verizon Center) over fellow Beltway Boxer Reggie Green.
Mitchell lost the title and injured his knee in a title bout against Kostya Tszyu on February 3, 2001 in Las Vegas, NV. The bout was stopped in the seventh round. Mitchell would later win an interim IBF Junior Welterweight title but would lose an opportunity to gain the IBF title outright to Tszyu in a rematch on November 6, 2004 in Phoenix, AZ. Mitchell would face and lose to Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Paul Williams before retiring in 2006.
Mitchell is part of an impressive class that will be inducted into the Maryland Sports Hall of Fame. Legendary Baltimore Colts quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas will be honored posthumously. Other members of this year's class include champion female golfer Carol Mann, former NBA player and current Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry (who played his high school basketball at DeMatha), jockey Mario Pino and two All-American lacrosse players, Jim Kappler (Maryland) and Michael Federico (Johns Hopkins). Long-time University of Maryland Football and Basketball Play-By-Play man Johnny Holliday will receive the John Steadman Lifetime Achievement Award named after the legendary Baltimore sportswriter.
If you would like to attend the event, tickets are $50 and the program begins at 6 PM. Call 410-859-0151 for details.
Make no mistake about it...Sharmba is well deserving of this induction and represented the DMV area well during his ring career. In fact, his only losses were to World Champions, certainly no shame in that.
ReplyDeleteI know he is deeply involved in the Entertainment Industry promoting Recording Artists but we would greatly benefit from him being more visible on the local boxing scene as a Mentor/Advisor to our up and coming talent. Sharmba has much to offer and has always been a Class Act. Congrats Little Big Man and GOD Bless.
Amen
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