Brian Mitchell ?

Neri · Post by **Neri** » 16 Nov 2005, 02:46

Was browsing through records and came across this fellow. Know nothing about him but his record looks good with many defences of super feather titles. Anyone know anything about him ?

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=003842

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 16 Nov 2005, 03:58

Brian Mitchell is one of the best super feathers of all time. Might well be the very craftiest. He was a light puncher who marked up, but he could always figure an opponent out and had great fitness and an iron jaw. Was never allowed to defend his belt in South Africa - even though he was against apartheid, the WBA would never sanction a fight at home. So this guy fought in everyone's backyard, and made around 12 title defenses before giving up the WBA belt and winning the IBF.

Around '91 or '92 he had a classic fight with Tony Lopez. I had Mitchell pulling away down the stretch but it was a draw in Lopez' hometown. Mitchell then outclassed him in a rematch for the IBF title.

Subtle, deceptive boxer who would've given his contemporary Azumah Nelson hell.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 16 Nov 2005, 06:16

Excellent fighter, rightly known as the Road Warrior - surely he's in the hall of fame now? Works the corner of a few top S African fighters these days, I think.

Has to said, he never fought anyone near the class of Azumah Nelson though. A bit like the Sven Ottke of his day: Often overlooked, he quietly got on with defending his title, usualy on points in an unspectacular manner. But he got the job done, time after time.

Difference was, he was always on the road, while Sven never left home. Plus he wasn't anywhere near as boring as Ottke was.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 16 Nov 2005, 06:32

Good guy, was Harry Simons trainer when Harry was looking the business.....

Also had a gorgeous partner...

Terrible that his career suffered due to dumb polictics he didnt agree with

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 16 Nov 2005, 06:38

He used to say his biggest fan base in S Africa was the black people of the townships, because most of his early fights took place in the townships and he built up a big following there.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 16 Nov 2005, 07:02

Bit of useless info on Brian Mitchell, he's appearing in Panto this year in SA

My T Sharp · Post by **My T Sharp** » 16 Nov 2005, 07:06

topper123 wrote:Bit of useless info on Brian Mitchell, he's appearing in Panto this year in SA

Oh no he isn't :P

Podmore_Birmingham · Post by **Podmore_Birmingham** » 16 Nov 2005, 07:16

Top class fighter , although he was never the same after he killed an opponent - he held back after that.

Never really in love with boxing.

Good fighter , had the ability to beat Azumah.

Tom Podmore.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 16 Nov 2005, 08:22

The boxer that died was Jacob Morake , who was the only man to beat Mitchell, the fatal bout was the 4th meeting between the 2 boxers, it was another case of 1 boxer not being able to knock out a brave opponent early so that the injured boxer takes alot of punishment in a gruelling fight.

Mitchell was never a big puncher before this fight, but the death did have a big impact on him.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 16 Nov 2005, 08:44

MightyWarrior wrote:Excellent fighter, rightly known as the Road Warrior - surely he's in the hall of fame now? Works the corner of a few top S African fighters these days, I think.

Has to said, he never fought anyone near the class of Azumah Nelson though. A bit like the Sven Ottke of his day: Often overlooked, he quietly got on with defending his title, usualy on points in an unspectacular manner. But he got the job done, time after time.

Difference was, he was always on the road, while Sven never left home. Plus he wasn't anywhere near as boring as Ottke was.

Good description, Mcguigan vs Mitchell would have been very intriguing. McGuigan wasn't quite the same fighter at Super Featherweight but he wasn't as bad a people claim he was during his short term comeback. Would have been very intriguing.

3 very good Super Featherweight champions around that time with Nelson and Lopez. Mitchell was, even before his fight with Lopez, considered the second best of these.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 16 Nov 2005, 09:51

Mitchell was unfairly considered second best. azumah wasn't as accomplished as Mitchell, technically. Look at the difference between their fights with Jimmy Mac. Azumah marched forward amateurishly and walked him down, but had to exert so much pressure. Mitchell stayed calm, took his time & outclassed Mac down the stretch.

also, Mitchell beat a rival world champion (Lopez). Azumah didn't. Mitchell was also champ before Nelson and made more defenses. And he didn't keep losing the title. Just wasn't as popular or well known as he didn't stay in one place long enough to build up a following.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 16 Nov 2005, 15:47

The Road Warrior was indeed a very good fighter.

Met a bloke from South Africa about a year ago, big Rugby playing type. Anyway he was a member of the same Golf Club as Mitchell back in South Africa. He told me that Mitchell had been banned from the club a few times for losing his temper and Ko'ing a few other members.

This guy said Mitchell was a nice bloke, just don't get into an argument with him or he will 'seal your fate'.

I would however pick Nelson to beat Mitchell.