The Debate: Kostya Tszyu-Sharmba Mitchell.

Compiled by Jim Cawkwell.

The anticipation is intensifying as the days bring us ever closer to the Tszyu-Mitchell match; a fight that essentially clears up a good deal of unfinished business between the two fighters and gives us a new degree of clarity regarding the state of the light

welterweight division. Opinions are still starkly contrasting on the subject of precisely who will be the victor in this fight, but all fight fans are unanimous in their opinion that it will likely be an exciting fight, compulsive viewing for all boxing enthusiasts. Whomever emerges victorious from the fight will not likely have much time to rest on their laurels as a ling line of red-hot contenders for the title have already been waiting a long time to challenge the winner. Read on to find out what saddoboxing.com readers are saying about the fight.

Steelie: At first glance, I think Mitchell is the stronger candidate. Tszyu has had an extended layoff and numerous injuries to contend with. In the meantime Mitchell has kept busy and injury free. So…I’m going for Tszyu. Why? Well, Mitchell has kept busy, but the standard of his opposition suggests that he has employed a safety first policy whilst he waits for Kostya. Now, if he was in his prime I don’t think it’d be an issue, but for someone arguably in the autumn of their career I really don’t think it’ll give him any kinda edge at all. It equates to nothing more than making time IMO. Folklore alleges that Mitchell quit on his stool in the first fight. If this fight goes along the same lines, which I suspect it will, then I also question Mitchell’s mental fortitude. Tszyu also strikes me as the hungrier of the two and has the bigger legacy to protect.

In short, Tszyu aint going out like that…

Saddo: For me its always a bad sign when a boxer is taking about retirement like Tszyu has been… it makes me wonder if there heart is still in the game….See Naz before the Barrera match-up and Lewis before the Vitali fight. Mitchell had a great tactic to win the first fight but you just knew it was a matter of time before Tszyu would catch up with him…but that was three years ago since they first met and just under two years since Tszyu’s last fight an unimpressive showing against James Leija. So thinking about it, Tszyu’s last great fight was against Zab so if you add the ring rust and the fact that Mitchell injured his knee in the first fight ((a genuine injury IMO)) to the equation. I see Mitchell not getting involved and just darting in and out for twelve rounds and stealing the decision.

Drunken Monkey: Boxing gets over analyzed too often. Mitchell was on his way to beating Tszyu the first time, before getting hurt. That combined with Tszyu’s inactivity leads me to believe that Sharmba will take this one. Tszyu does have that outstanding power that can change things at any moment of a fight, but I still think Mitchell will out box him to a twelve round UD.

Kni: Tszyu all the way!!

Pogo: I want Kostya to win this one, but I am picking Mitchell to take it on decision. Kostya has been out a long time. Any comparisons with Felix Trinidad’s lengthy lay off overlook the fact that Tszyu has been out injured and unable to train while Felix was by all accounts still very active in the gym. Then there is the question of what level of performance was Kostya at before his time out. There is some evidence that decline had already set in. His last performance against Leija wasn’t exactly a dominant one and Leija is a lesser opponent than Mitchell. Like Tszyu-Mitchell I that fight was effectively defaulted to Tszyu by his opponent retiring in their corner with an injury. In addition, the man who is said to have the power to punch way above a light welterweight was unable to stop either Tackie or Urkal.

Where Tszyu did show power of course was against Zab Judah. However, Judah’s arrogance contributed to his own downfall that night. In the first round, Zab used his slick southpaw skills to out box Kostya, but then he got sloppy. Kostya nailed him and Zab’s own disbelief at what had happened caused him to try and jump before having his legs under control. What happened next is of course infamous. Maybe Tszyu would have finished him anyway. Maybe Judah could have run for the rest of the round and recovered. That one can be argued about forever. What is certain is that Mitchell will have noted that Tszyu can be out boxed and what can happen to an opponent who drops their concentration for a second.

In conclusion, Mitchell has the movement and boxing skill to out maneuver Tszyu. While Kostya’s ring rust and the effect of age will make it hard for him catch up with his opponent. The end result is a points win for Mitchell in a rematch that somewhat disappoints after high expectations and such a long wait. However, in the most talent rich division in boxing today this fight needs to take place to clear the stage for the possible changing of the guard. With Ricky Hatton as the mandatory challenger to the winner here, Mayweather and Gatti continuing to circle each other plus Vivian Harris and Miguel Cotto looking on this fight could just be the appetizer.

Snakey: I think Kostya will out-box Mitchell and possibly knock him out. Kostya looks in better shape than before and last time he fought Leija he told everyone that he wanted to show that he could box instead of knocking them out but I don’t see the same happening here. Kostya by KO round nine.

Andre: I’m not going for the underdog as per usual. I’m all for Kostya. He has trained harder than ever, this will be tough, props to both fighters, Kostya takes him apart slow but sure whether its boxing or fighting I think he is better at both. The only hope Mitchell has is early in my mind and to blow Kostya out of the water hoping KT starts cold and then by smacking the balls off him early and never stopping the pace. It’s the only way KT has ever lost or ever looked like losing. He will be ready for it though.

John Blaze: I’m a big Tszyu fan but after that lay-off and the fact that his last fight with Mitchell wasn’t exactly a cakewalk doesn’t bode well for the “thunder from down under.’ If Tszyu had a couple of fights under his belt and he was back to true form, this fight wouldn’t be easy. I’m not sure if Tszyu has his timing back yet. Mitchell by UD.

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