Four months ago, Seth Mitchell had one of the most disappointing moments of his boxing career. He was just days away from making his HBO debut on the undercard of an intriguing matchup between Roberto Guerrero and Marcos Maidana. As an Washington D.C. heavyweight, Mitchell was getting a big opportunity to become the face of American heavyweight boxing at a time when most casual fans believe them to be extinct in the wake of Klitschko dominance. Unfortunately, a Robert Guerrero shoulder injury would cancel the card and leave Mitchell with nothing.
To his team’s credit, they moved quickly in getting Mitchell another chance. He headlined a Golden Boy Telefutura card on September and scored a third round TKO over Hector Ferreyro. HBO took notice again and offered Mitchell an even bigger date. He’ll now make his HBO debut tomorrow night (December 10) in his Washington, D.C. hometown against experienced contender Timur Ibragimov on the undercard of Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson. The big stage has been set, but so has the pressure of fighting before friends and family and the knowledge that most fans viewing at home are seeing you for the first time. Is Seth Mitchell ready to succeed under the scrutiny of the national spotlight?
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: The last time we spoke, there were a lot of questions your next opponent after your HBO debut on the Robert Guerrero-Marcos Maidana undercard was canceled. You’ve finally secured that HBO date, and in your hometown no less, to finish out the year. How did you deal with the uncertainty of the last few months?
Mitchell: Its been a wild year but it’s just part of the business. I was excited about being on the Guerrero-Maidana card [in August] being that it was my first HBO appearance. When I got the call it was canceled I was a little hurt by it. At the same time my team told me I’d be right back in there. In two days I had another date set up. Of course it wasn’t on HBO, but it was my first time being the main event. Right after that they said I had another HBO date on the 26 of November or December 10. It’s icing on the cake that it’s at home. I had to take the ups and downs and make sure I stayed mentally and physically ready and didn’t let it get me down.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Now that you’re fighting at home again but this time on a much bigger stage, how have you reduced the outside distractions?
Mitchell: The ticket distraction, I don’t have that. Everyone knows I get a certain amount of tickets and for the most part the same people get those tickets every time when I’m at home — my immediate family and friends. Everyone else gotta pay for their tickets. [laughs] I ain’t Ticketmaster, I’m here to fight. The biggest thing for me I noticed different is the interviews I have to do and the public things to promote the fight. Again, that’s part of the business and you want to do that so the event is a success. At the same time, I’ve done a great job of staying focused.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: What’s the balance between being entertaining and making an impression being that this is on HBO, and not being reckless?
Mitchell: That’s my thing. Even though I’ve stopped 10 out of my last 11 opponents, I don’t go out there looking for the knockout. I go out there and stick to my game plan. If I’m on my A game, there’s not too many heavyweights that can withstand 10 or 12 rounds of the pressure I put on in my fights. I consider myself a boxer puncher, but not a reckless one. I’m not going in there wild with “I hit you, you hit me” and let’s see who’s toughest. I want to get the knockout but not put my chin out there in the air to get tapped.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: With that said, last week during a conference call you mentioned wanting to make it a war with Ibragimov. Is that because you think he’s weak mentally or durability-wise?
Mitchell: I have a lot of respect for Ibragimov. I know he said I need to be ready for a war and I said I’d be prepared for one. I just want to dictate. If I wanna bang, I’m going to bang. If I want to stay behind my jab and box at a distance, I’ll do that. If it means fighting in a phone booth or staying on the outside and counter-punching, so be it. I’m ready for all things.
People have only seen me come forward and be a pressure fighter. But I consider myself a smart pressure fighter. I stay behind my jab and box to get my knockouts. I plan on the same thing happening December 10.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: With what Ibragimov brings, what weakness did you mainly focus on correcting for this camp?
Mitchell: Without giving away too much of my game plan, I thought I put on a great performance in my last fight against Hector Ferreyro. But there was something I noticed I did every time I threw a certain punch that is a no-no in boxing. We’ve been really working on [correcting] that this camp. After this fight hopefully the tape will show I’ve corrected the mistakes I saw. Overall, I try to improve on everything. I don’t want to give away my secrets, but there’s a few things we saw that we thought our opponents might have noticed too.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: What’s Ibragimov’s greatest asset or threat when it comes to this matchup?
Mitchell: His experience. He knows how to survive without running. He knows how to fight without being scared. You don’t get a record of 30-3-1 without being stopped for nothing. He’s a consummate professional — he knows when to hold and fight in flurries. He has a lot of tricks up his leave. At the same time, I feel I’m ready for this step up and level. Everything will be fine.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Have you allowed yourself to indulge any in the American media and public’s want for a legitimate American heavyweight contender and champion?
Mitchell: I hear it but no one puts more pressure on myself than me. I push myself to the limit. When I decided to become a boxer, I felt in my heart I can become heavyweight champion of the world. All the accolades that I’m getting and me being the next American hope is nice, but I don’t let it get to my head. Hopefully I can reach that level, but one thing I won’t do is cheat myself. I won’t ever underestimate an opponent. I’ll always train hard and be in shape for each and every fight. I’m gonna reach for the stars, man.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: How’s the weight looking for fight night?
Mitchell: I’m looking to be between 241 and 243.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Being that you’re opening the TV portion of the card, what’s your prediction on the Amir Khan-Lamont Peterson main event?
Mitchell: It’s going to be a real interesting fight. Both fighters have the capability of winning. I know a lot of people think it’s going to be a landslide and Khan is just going to walk over Lamont. I know Lamont will be ready and it’ll be a real tough fight.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Final thoughts?
Mitchell: Just continue to pray for me. I’m trying to do big things and accomplish my dream of being the heavyweight champion. Definitely tune in December 10 if you can’t be there. I’ll do the same and keep y’all in my prayers. Follow me on Twitter at @SethMayhem48. And thank you for this interview and letting me be heard.
“Capital Showdown: Khan vs. Peterson,” a 12-round Unified Super Lightweight World Title Fight for Khan’s WBA World Super Championship and IBF World Championship taking place on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWalt Tools, AT&T and MicroTech. Also featured will be a 10-round heavyweight battle between Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell and Timur Ibragimov. The fights will be telecast in the United States on HBO World Championship Boxing at 9:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. PT and on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom at 11:00 p.m. GMT. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center doors will open on fight night at 6:00 p.m. and the first fight will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 