Fletch - Guess you're already off to the fight. Wanted to get something up earlier put still kinda layed up. But, to anybody else who is interested:
Tszyu vs Mitchell
This fight is between two fighters with enormously contrasting styles, a pure puncher/boxer match-up. Despite his record, I have never been tremendously impressed with Tszyu. He's a devestating pucher, for sure, but, in my opinion is average to below-average in just about everything else (according to world champion standards) His defense is subpar and he can, and has been, hit and hit often. However (perhaps by design?), he hasn't really been in with very many heavy punchers of any substance so his chin is a big question mark, and most of his opponents haven't made it out of the first few rounds to give him any adversity. In the only loss of his career, he was absolutely pummeled by Vince Phillips in one of the most devestating KO's you will see, and Phillips isn't generally regarded as a heavy hitter. Tszyu was out before he hit the canvas. Since that loss, he has rattled off 7-straight KO's, with the win over Miguel Angel Gonzalez being the most impressive. The other 6 were pretty much tune-up, cake-walk fights, including his recent victory over 104-year-old Julio Cesar Chavez. I don't want to take anything away from Tszyu because, other than Phillips, he has taken care of everybody put in front of him. However, none of these guys really possessed the skill and/or power to take full advantage of his weaknesses. Does Sharmba Mitchell? Probably not, but maybe. Mitchell is a classic southpaw boxer who lacks one-punch KO power, but can still put away a fighter through an accumulation of punishment. He certainly has the skills. He is technically very sound, moves well, and is above-average defensively. However, he also has his deficits. The hardest thing, in my opinion, to predict in boxing is whether or not a certain fighter has the power to hurt another SPECIFIC fighter, because there basically is no scale or frame of reference. For example, the old "If Boxer A knocked out Boxer B and Boxer B knocked out Boxer C, then surely A will knock out C" just simply doesn't hold water. However, in my opinion, I don't think Mitchell has the power to hurt Tszyu. He also is 31 years old, which by super-lightweight standards, is fairly old. Although he has 15-straight wins since his only two losses (back-to-back in 1994), he has been relatively inactive, with only 6 fights since July 1997. But again, if a guy remains in good shape and trains properly, it's a moot point.
This should be an interesting fight because quite frankly (pardon the cliche'): anything can happen. There is a huge variety of scenarios in which this bout could develop. A first-round, ambush-style, KO by Tszyu would not at all surprise me. A lopsided decision in favor of Mitchell would also not surprise me. And, if indeed, Mitchell DOES have sufficient power to hurt Tszyu, the possibilities are endless. This bout could be a fight-of-the-year nominee or it could be a snoozer. But going in, it is intriguing.
Looking into my fuzzy crystal ball, this is how I see it. I think Mitchell is smart enough and experienced enough not to stand there and trade punches with Tszyu early. He more than likely will try to establish some sort of ring generalship, and according to how things pan out, either continue to box or take a shot at the question mark that is Tszyu's chin. I can't see Tszyu doing anything differently than what has made him successfull up to now. He'll come right after him. I really don't see any value in laying -400 on Tszyu. Too pricy in my opinion. But, on the otherhand, Mitchell isn't a big enough dog to warrant a substantial wager either. I've made a small wager on the fight to go OVER 9 rounds -115 on the basis that IF this fight goes past 3 rounds, it will go the distance.
Tszyu vs Mitchell
This fight is between two fighters with enormously contrasting styles, a pure puncher/boxer match-up. Despite his record, I have never been tremendously impressed with Tszyu. He's a devestating pucher, for sure, but, in my opinion is average to below-average in just about everything else (according to world champion standards) His defense is subpar and he can, and has been, hit and hit often. However (perhaps by design?), he hasn't really been in with very many heavy punchers of any substance so his chin is a big question mark, and most of his opponents haven't made it out of the first few rounds to give him any adversity. In the only loss of his career, he was absolutely pummeled by Vince Phillips in one of the most devestating KO's you will see, and Phillips isn't generally regarded as a heavy hitter. Tszyu was out before he hit the canvas. Since that loss, he has rattled off 7-straight KO's, with the win over Miguel Angel Gonzalez being the most impressive. The other 6 were pretty much tune-up, cake-walk fights, including his recent victory over 104-year-old Julio Cesar Chavez. I don't want to take anything away from Tszyu because, other than Phillips, he has taken care of everybody put in front of him. However, none of these guys really possessed the skill and/or power to take full advantage of his weaknesses. Does Sharmba Mitchell? Probably not, but maybe. Mitchell is a classic southpaw boxer who lacks one-punch KO power, but can still put away a fighter through an accumulation of punishment. He certainly has the skills. He is technically very sound, moves well, and is above-average defensively. However, he also has his deficits. The hardest thing, in my opinion, to predict in boxing is whether or not a certain fighter has the power to hurt another SPECIFIC fighter, because there basically is no scale or frame of reference. For example, the old "If Boxer A knocked out Boxer B and Boxer B knocked out Boxer C, then surely A will knock out C" just simply doesn't hold water. However, in my opinion, I don't think Mitchell has the power to hurt Tszyu. He also is 31 years old, which by super-lightweight standards, is fairly old. Although he has 15-straight wins since his only two losses (back-to-back in 1994), he has been relatively inactive, with only 6 fights since July 1997. But again, if a guy remains in good shape and trains properly, it's a moot point.
This should be an interesting fight because quite frankly (pardon the cliche'): anything can happen. There is a huge variety of scenarios in which this bout could develop. A first-round, ambush-style, KO by Tszyu would not at all surprise me. A lopsided decision in favor of Mitchell would also not surprise me. And, if indeed, Mitchell DOES have sufficient power to hurt Tszyu, the possibilities are endless. This bout could be a fight-of-the-year nominee or it could be a snoozer. But going in, it is intriguing.
Looking into my fuzzy crystal ball, this is how I see it. I think Mitchell is smart enough and experienced enough not to stand there and trade punches with Tszyu early. He more than likely will try to establish some sort of ring generalship, and according to how things pan out, either continue to box or take a shot at the question mark that is Tszyu's chin. I can't see Tszyu doing anything differently than what has made him successfull up to now. He'll come right after him. I really don't see any value in laying -400 on Tszyu. Too pricy in my opinion. But, on the otherhand, Mitchell isn't a big enough dog to warrant a substantial wager either. I've made a small wager on the fight to go OVER 9 rounds -115 on the basis that IF this fight goes past 3 rounds, it will go the distance.
