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I recently had the opportunity to talk with Brandon Mitchem, 22-4 (8), a promising middleweight who recently made the move from Las Vegas to Kingston, NY. After taking some time off from the sport to pursue his academic studies and spend time with his family, the 28 year old makes his return to the ring on a Pugnacious Promotions bill taking place at the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany, NY on March 17th.
Mitchem, who made it to the final cut on NBC’s The Contender before the top 10 were picked, has had an interesting career thus far. He has been in the ring and went the distance with highly ranked rugged veteran Bronco McKart as well as perennial contenders Larry Marks and Carlos Bojorquez. Brandon has also worked with such champions as Terry Norris, Kostya Tszyu, William Joppy and the legendary former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins as a sparring partner.
As an amateur, Mitchem fought Fernando Vargas but lost a narrow split points decision and the chance to become an alternate on the US Olympic Boxing Team in 1996. However, Mitchem does hold a win over former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy when the two met as amateurs in Lake Placid, NY.
Read on for an exclusive interview in which we discuss Brandon’s future plans, his new promoter as well as working with ex-world champion Tracy Patterson and time spent with the late, great Eddie Futch.
Saddo Boxing: Brandon, congratulations on signing with your new promoter, Pugnacious Promotions.
Brandon Mitchem: “Thank you.”
SB: What made you decide to leave Las Vegas to come over to the East Coast and fight? Most guys are trying to get to Vegas and fight, not leave.
BM: “I’m from the South, originally; I started in the Augusta PAL. I only went to Vegas because my first pro contract required me to. Now the contract has run out and I came to Kingston to work with Tracy Patterson.”
SB: How did you hook up with Tracy?
BM: “Through Stan Hoffman, my manager.”
SB: How do you like working with Tracy?
BM: “Not bad; I spent most of my career with my father as a trainer. I have only been working with Tracy the last year or so.”
SB: You spent some time working with the late, great Eddie Futch. How does that compare?
BM: “I worked with Eddie late. He was in his 80’s by time I got the chance to work with him. There were a lot of things he couldn’t do. With Tracy, he gets in the ring with me and we do mitts, slip punches…etc. Tracy is hands on. Other people did those things for Eddie. But Eddie gave me advice nobody else could. He taught me things. He had a lot of stories and knowledge that helped me a lot. The fact he was 85 years old made the one on one things that I needed from him, hard.”
SB: How did you end up trying out for “The Contender”?
BM: “I got a call from a friend, Brian Demorest, who is a trainer. He told me about a reality show for boxers, that there was tryouts for and there was a title shot involved. I flew to NY and we headed to the tryouts. I did good and they flew me to California for the final cut. I made it all the way to the end but missed the final pick.”
SB: You took a break from the sport at a time when most are trying to fight as often as possible. You were reaching the next level by fighting guys like Bronco McKart, who was ranked at the time and highly regarded. Why the layoff?
BM: “Well, I went to college, spent time with my wife and wanted to prepare myself for the next step.”
SB: College is always a smart choice and I wish more fighters would pursue it. The average career is short; most retire by 35 and there is a lot to do after boxing. What do you want to do after you retire?
BM: “I am pursuing a career in Criminal Justice. I don’t want to be a cop or anything, I want to work with kids. I want to be someone who can help them out of trouble and help steer them towards the right direction.”
SB: You have worked with Hopkins, Tszyu, Joppy, and Terry Norris while being at a fairly young age. To be able to go in and work with guys of that level day after day, what did you learn about yourself?
BM: “It gave me validity about myself. The experience was great. It told me a lot about myself working with those guys.”
SB: How was it working with Hopkins, an all time pound for pound great?
BM: “He was tricky; you learn a lot being in there with him. The way he moves. I learned a lot from the others too like Norris and Tszyu. They helped build me into a better fighter. I was in my early 20’s. Between 21 and 23. It told me a lot.”
SB: You fought Vargas as an amateur and lost a close decision. What did you think of the Mosley fight? Do you think Vargas is a shot fighter on the way down?
BM: “It was an example of boxer vs. puncher, you know? Styles make fights. The eye was a big factor but things like this happen. Its hard to tell sometimes. I would love to fight him again as a pro.”
SB: What did you think of the Calzaghe vs. Lacy super middleweight fight this weekend? This is a division you may end up in.
BM: “Again, styles make fights and again classic boxer versus puncher. Calzaghe erased doubts and came out on top. I beat Jeff as an amateur in Lake Placid so I know how he fights. Calzaghe boxed him and came out on top.”
SB: Where do think you’ll be in two years? Where do you see yourself?
BM: “In two years? Hopefully, I’ll have reached my full potential; fight the best and see how it goes. I’m not going to say I’m going to do this or I’ll be here by then. I just want to take it fight by fight, round by round and do my best.”
SB: Brandon, I want to wish you luck on the 17th, hopefully you’ll start your comeback road towards a title. We’ll see you at the Armory and wish you the best of luck.
BM: “Thank you, I’m looking forward to it.”
