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“Sharmba, I’m coming to your hometown and putting on a show and you better bring your “A’ game!”–Chris “The Mechanic” Smith.
Sometimes it takes examination, and evaluation of oneself to regain focus on what we need for our lives and careers. Many times during this process, we encounter stumbling blocks and stepping-stones, but determination pushes us forward to that ultimate goal, which is to be successful, and in Chris Smith’s case, that goal I to become the best boxer in the 147-pound division, and ultimately a world champion. For the record, “The Mechanic” is currently the NABA welterweight champion, and not the former as been previously stated in another website, and although grateful for this title, he has his focus on the grand prize of being world champion.
Chris’s first and only loss was to David Estrada in January 2005, and he states, “The loss was a fluke,” he elaborates, “The David Estrada fight was a fight I fought, I learned from it and moved on, that’s it and I have nothing else to say!” And if anyone wants to know more, I am sorry but that is all you are going to get. Chris is not focusing on the past, but has decided to learn from that fight, and to correct the flaws that caused the loss.
Since that loss, he has been training tirelessly for another meaningful shot that he knew would come to him sooner than later. The shot has come, and it is in the form of Sharmba Mitchell, in Mitchell’s hometown of Washington D.C. When asked about going to D.C. and fighting Mitchell in his backyard, “The Mechanic” states, “Sharmba, I’m coming to your hometown and putting on a show and you better bring your “A’ game!” He continues, “I’m gonna treat you like Miami treated the Washington Wizards!”
It has only been since Monday that Smith knew his opponent would be Mitchell, but nevertheless, he is bringing his “A” game, and with a new team in Joey Gamache, and trainer Colin Morgan, he has never been more ready. I asked about his motivation and he stated, “I have something to prove, I feel this is a career defining fight for me, it’s do or die!” When asked about the magnitude of this fight, he proclaims, “It will make or break me.”
With a renewed sense of focus and hardcore training, Chris is determined to stop Mitchell in his tracks and in his hometown, and this certainly has been the year of the “home wreckers,” just ask Zab Judah and Luis Collazo, and Smith knows he can be added to the list. But “The Mechanic” is no stranger to D.C., in fact, he won his current title there and as Chris confidently states, “I’m coming home to roost”!
As excited as Smith is, he has not lost the visions and goals he has set for himself, is to be world champion. In regard to taking part in the same fight card as former world champion Mike Tyson, Smith says, “It’s an honor that I have this opportunity and Tyson is my idol so it doesn’t get any better, it’s a plus all the way around!”
To have focus and dedication as Smith has could only result in a win/win situation for the welterweight, and he guarantees a performance of old. In closing, Chris has a message to his fans from the nation’s capital: “I love you D.C!”
SaddoBoxing would like to thank Chris Smith for this interview and for allowing us to be his first website of choice. Thanks Chris.
Katrina Walters can be reached at boxingkatrina@aol.com
