Boxing Preview: Floyd Mayweather – Sharmba Mitchell

Well, after the postponement yet again of Klitschko v Rahman (ive lost count now) the next big action we have to look forward to happens a week on Saturday at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. Newly crowned WBC 140 pound champion Floyd Mayweather Jnr dips his toes into the welterweight division when he takes on former light welter champion Sharmba Mitchell in a 12 round attraction.

To some its a surprising move that Mayweather has stepped up to the welterweight division. After all there’s many big fights there to be taken still in the light welter ranks. The likes of Hatton and Cotto for starters would present good tests for Pretty Boy. However if you look a bit more deeply into this then the move up seems a logical one. Hatton already has a defence lined up and Cotto, some may argue, is not ready for the likes of Mayweather after a couple of shaky showings.

In Sharmba Mitchell, Mayweather faces an man whose name is a respectable one in World Boxing. With only four defeats in sixty contests, he’s faced the best. In fact, his only losses have been against former world champions. Also, as little as twelve months ago, Mitchell was seen as the number two man in the 140 pound division, second only to Kostya Tszyu.

Since his second defeat to Tszyu twelve months ago, Mitchell has fought just the once, winning the lightly regarded NABA welterweight championship. Always technically sound, does the “Little Big Man” have a prayer against “Pretty Boy”?

Mayweather’s record speaks for itself. Unbeaten in thirty four bouts and a world champion since 1998, spanning three weight divisions, he’s fought and beaten the best. Respected names such as Hernandez, Manfredy, Vargas, Corrales, Chavez, Castillo and Gatti have all been dazzled.

Like the Gatti fight, this in my opinion is an opportunity for Mayweather to showcase all of his skills. Although a fascinating matchup, one gets the feeling that this is too tough an outing for Sharmba. Mayweather at twenty eight years of age seems to be approaching his peak and will want to make a statement as he did in June against Gatti.

In my mind, I see the southpaw style of Mitchell making Mayweather think for a couple of rounds but Floyd is special. I think by about the sixth round, Mayweather’s variety and speed of punch will settle the argument.

So what of the future? Will the light welterweight division just be a fleeting visit as it was for Pernell Whitaker thirteen years ago or will Mayweather entertain the likes of Ricky Hatton? Or will Mayweather stay at 147 pounds for the likes of Judah?

For me from a personal point of view, I hope that he fights Ricky Hatton at 140 pounds in what could be a fight of the year, but Mayweather seems to be a man who controls his own destiny and I’ve a feeling that he will want to win a belt at a fourth division first.

Lee Bellfield