Boxing News Boxing News
Aside from a few brief moments, Sharmba Mitchell played the part of stepladder last night at the Events Center in Reno, Nevada with rising welterweight contender Paul “The Punisher” Williams battering the aging former light welter world champion from pillar to post for four painful rounds. Absolutely towering over the diminutive Mitchell, 57-6 (3), the six foot one inch tall Augusta, GA native used his obvious advantages in height and reach to good effect, muzzling almost all of his opponent’s efforts and producing the first of a quartet of knockdowns in the third session.
By the fourth, the shopworn Mitchell was canvassed a full three times before referee Vic Drakulich had seen enough at 2:57 of the round. Williams, now 31-0 (23), may have finally completed his undergraduate work six years after turning professional and has asked to face WBO Champion Antonio Margarito. Should that request be granted, “The Punisher” would take a massive step up in competition from the largely pedestrian level of opposition faced to date.
On the undercard, ex-IBF Cruiser world champ Kelvin Davis,22-4-2 (17), fought for the second consecutive time at heavyweight and bombed out opponent Chris Thomas, 16-6-2 (14), in he fifth round, despite giving up nine inches in height.
Also at heavyweight a couple of prospects kept their perfect records intact with Chris Arreola, 17-0 (15), using a 34 pound weight advantage to good effect and stopping southpaw Damian Norris, 8-2 (6), in four while Eddie Chambers, 27-0 (15), stopped opponent Domonic Jenkins, 9-6-1 (3), in the fifth frame.
