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Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 06:00
by leforge
Lets see who Mitchell fights next?
Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 06:15
by rhino222
Kit wrote:Thought Kevin boxed superbly to orders off the back foot for the majority of an excellent bout.
He showed real ability, skill, speed, stanima, a cracking chin, heart, determination and genuine entertainment value.
All this In a packed sweltering York Hall, the place was jammed packed and absolutely sweltering for Mitchell's contest. It was hot enough for Ashie to feel at home.
I can not believe the crticism of the opponent, any knowledgable boxing fan could see he was a quality African operator. You cannot judge him by his Boxrec record. Accra Ghana is a world renowned hotbed of boxing where the majority of shows go completely unrecorded. A 0-0-0 record on Accra fighter is grossly misleading in a city where fighters box regularly for survival. Fighters should be judged on viewing his performances in the ring rather than inaccurate statistics.
The Martin Watson fight was not not televised and only over 6 rounds. Watson won 58-56 with a point deduction in his favour on his home turf. Mitchell arguably won the all of the first 6 rounds! Not forgetting Ashie had been in training for a full 12 rounder with Alex Arthur and Watson is a full lightweight and in most peoples opinion beat current British champion Lee Meager.
I also don't understand the constant praise of Murray's opposition. Who has he has he really beaten to warrant such praise?? Who Nacho Mendoza? He would have lost that one under British rules. Ivan Fioretta beat Mendoza. The same Fioretta was well beaten on points in his own home town by Karim Chakim recently. Chakim was beat up and played with by Mitchell in comparison.
Mounir Gubbas was also beaten up and outclassed by Mitchell, who has since gone onto give British fighters nightmares as well as pushing Murray all the way and close to beating him.
Murray is taylor made for Mitchell and just can not see any department in which Murray is superior??
Again last night's performance reinforces my believe that this kid has all the tools and attributes to go a long long way in this sport. One or two things to work on but Kevin is still learning and improving at pace!
ok, so on what basis is the fight made then, if no one knows this fellas record. according to boxrec his best victory is against someone who is 1-0-0
Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 07:09
by Kit
The guys are just unkown quantities until they venture outside of Africa. It must be a big risk for promotoers. We have seen both sides of the coin, remember Mark Hobson's commonwealth title opponent but then look at Tshifhiwa Munyai.
Azumah Nelson, Ben Tackie, Alfred Kotey and Ike Quartey, have had their first ten or so in Accra Ghana against moderately recorded 0-0-0, 0-1-0 etc records, some of these guys lasted 10 rounds with legendary operators. Obviously these guys were far from inexperienced novice fighters.
Boxrec's record database although excellent does not tell a complete story of Ghanaian and other African fighters records.
Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 07:43
by Old bones Ian
Well Ashie proved tougher than i thought, Mitchell still won the fight, but he showed good and bad points of his boxing still.
I don't think at this moment that Kevin is going to get into World class, but he has improved and maybe he thought he was going to blow out Ashie early, as i did also. Therefore putting to much into the early rounds.
Mitchell has shown recently that he does listen to his corner, and he has come through some sticky moments to go on and win fights, something that every prospect has to do to advance to the next level.
Hopefully Mitchell can be matched with some more international opponents to gauge wether he will be able to cope at a higher level.
Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 08:07
by SticknMove
I thought that Mitchell won by a couple of rounds.
He boxed very well for the first 6 rounds making what could have been a gruelling tough fight relatively easy. But it was inevitable that the tough African would come at him and try to make it a battle of strength.
I too doubt Mitchells 'world class' credentials at the moment. McGuigan's statement is simply laughable. For me Mitchell is a little too stiff and at times looks awkward and off balance when moving off his back foot. A step up in class is the last thing he needs right now. I found it strange that when he had his back to the ropes he let Ashie keep him there without trying to tie him up and spin him round, something that should be elementary at his level.
But at 22 he still has time on his side but would doubt that he will anything more than fringe world class.
Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 08:20
by Max Molyneux
Why did the commonwealth council change the look of the belt to a rainbow ribbon?
Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 08:24
by SticknMove
Even more to the point why was there 3 English judges and a English referee for a Commonwealth title fight that featured an English fighter?
Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 08:32
by DG.
SticknMove wrote:I
I too doubt Mitchells 'world class' credentials at the moment. McGuigan's statement is simply laughable.#
ITV must have told Barry Mcguigan to say he was WORLD CLASS.
Is Barry ITVs Bitch?.
I think so.
Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 08:37
by stujones
Stick and Move excellent point on the appointed judges.... disgraceful.
Kit,
I do agree with most of what your saying, as I said.... for me, Mitchell had more ticks in the boxes than crosses and I do agree there does seem to be this theory that Murray is being better prepared for the big time than Mitchell based on one opponent.... and I don't agree. I think Mitchell's overall resume is better than Murray's. Mitchell has stepped it up twice IMO. Also fighting a decent mix.... Last time it was a skilled(ish) Featherweight, now it was a limited but strong SuperFeather/Light.
However, I don't agree with the amount of praise you have given him. For me, the result was a little too cold for comfort. I cannot see how the judges thought Mitchell won any more than 7 rounds, and some of the early ones could have been interpreted as level.
For me, Ashie won his rounds BIGGER but I did score it 7-5 Mitchell..... However, if this wasn't in the UK I think Mitchell would have been fortunate to have got a decision. Had I scored the opening six rounds as Duke did, with two level rounds- then I would have had the fight a draw. Thats why I am flummouxed as to Duke had it for Mitchell by 3 in the end.
It was too close a performance to label it excellent. Had Mitchell boxed like he did for the first 6 rounds throughout the contest, or even picked it up for the 10th, 11th, and 12th (after regaining the momentum with a strong 9th).... Then yes, I would be in 100% agreement with you.
Don't worry, I think the same of Murray's performance vs Mendoza... too close to go over the top with praise from it.
Hopefully, Mitchell will learn and iron out the mistakes he made... his man strength is yet to come, so hopefully he will finish a bit stronger in years to come than he did yesterday.
Good, but with weaknesses (that I'm sure he will shed) that nearly nearly cost him.
Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 09:04
by leforge
I think sports network matchmakers underestimated Ashie. I would like to see Mitchell v Burns
Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 11:25
by MightyWarrior
I think both SN and Mitchell knew this was gonna be a long night. If you think you're going to blow away a Ghanian fighter early, you are taking a big risk: it doesn't happen too often.
A Kenyan maybe, but a fighter who has put together a winning run in Ghana is usualy a very decent fighter. As we saw last night.
And Mitchell started the fight like he wasn't trying to get rid of the African early, boxing well. The only time he went for broke was when Ashie had just hurt him.
Posted: 29 Oct 2006, 15:37
by Scrap
I thought he Micheal looked 2 bob.Since turning pro I cant see what the fuss is about. Their has been no improvement, always using the front door approuch no sense of distance, bad posture. chooses brawn instead of brain, that worries me if you dont use it you lose it. Or maybe its not their to use