The boxing ring is the ultimate cruel truth. The trash talk, media hype and promoter hyperbole all go out the window when you’re faced with equal or better opposition. Either you show and prove, or fold under the pressure. The biggest truth that heavyweight contender Seth Mitchell learned last year again Johnathon Banks is something he already knew deep down — he still had a lot to learn.
The old veteran Banks needed just two rounds to take advantage of Mitchell’s sloppy aggression to crack him with a right hand that he never recovered from. Three knockdowns and a minute later, the fight was over and Mitchell was back to the drawing board. In the modern age, a bad defeat is an excuse to take on a string of easy fights to build confidence back up. But Mitchell yearns for truth, and he took the immediate rematch to find out, once and for all, where his true ceiling is in the heavyweight division.
THE TENSION OF A CAREER-ALTERING REMATCH
I won’t say my nerves are out of wack, but I have a lot more anticipation for this fight. I have been focused on getting better. I know have to take care of business. When you put too much pressure on yourself it can backfire. I’m very confident and I’ve learned a lot from the last fight.
BEST ADVICE AFTER THE LOSS
Just to get boxing out of your mind for a few weeks. Spend time with your family and soak up all the love. I’m a very humble cat, so I wasn’t big on reading the internet and getting into the hype. But now I really stay off the internet and don’t read a lot of stuff. I never rested on my laurels. I know why people are saying the things they’re saying. No one is invincible. You have to have thick skin and you’re only as good as you’re last performance. It really hurts the person who believes the hype and thinks everyone is your friend
I took two weeks off and was back in the gym. My first training camp was good until I got the news of Banks’ injury. I made sure to stay sharp, around 75-80% and not kill myself until around April.
ANY DOUBTS TO KEEP FIGHTING AFTER THE KO DEFEAT
Not at all. Mentally and physically, I was fine right after. Of course, the loss hurt. But that never crept into my mind. It was a bump in the road and how you respond to it is what matters. People know I train hard and I’m ready to get back in there.
WHY HE COULDN’T RECOVER FROM BANKS LIKE HE DID WITH CHAZZ WITHERSPOON JR.
[youtube http://youtu.be/SFEDzUJDuiY]They’re two different types of fighters. Banks is a counter-puncher who reacts to your mistakes and that’s how he gets you in trouble. Chazz was more of an aggressive, busy fighter which gives you more chances to get him even when you’re in trouble.
With Banks I definitely won the first round and was winning the second until I got caught. He took advantage of my aggression and used it against me.
A BODY SHOT STUNNED BANKS IN THE SECOND. A KEY TO VICTORY IN THE REMATCH?
He didn’t take it too well. I always like to attack the body and no one likes to get hit there frequently. The main thing is I have to be a smart fighter. If I land a few shots and get sloppy and get countered, the same thing can happen again. I just to get smart without changing my identity and knowing what got me on HBO and Showtime. I have to throwing punches in bunches but be smarter.
OPINION ON BANKS SAYING YOU ARE IN DENIAL ABOUT THE DEFEAT AND NOT GIVING FULL CREDIT
[Big sigh] I gave him full credit. I said he did what he was supposed to do. I said he didn’t hit me with a lucky punch since I continued to reach with my shots. I don’t care what he says because we have to lock horns again. I didn’t complain and he’ll have to do it again.
WAS ANOTHER OPPONENT CONSIDERED?
Not at all. Back in the dressing I asked [manager] Al Haymon two questions. One, how far did this set me back? And two, when can I get the rematch. That’s the type of fighter I am.
THE HEAVYWEIGHT PICTURE
There are a lot of fights that can be made on the USA side. The Klitschkos are still running the division but we can make matches the fans want to see. With Showtime being willing to show them, we can start rebuilding the exposure.
ANY HEAVYWEIGHT “FRIENDS” YOU WOULD BE ADVERSE TO FIGHTING?
At this point, the only one I’d put in that category is Tony Thompson. He’s my big brother in the division and we started sparring when I was six months into the game. If it was for a title or title eliminator, I’d prefer those circumstances if we had to lock horns. I wasn’t surprised per say that he beat David Price, but I though it would be a tough fight for him. There was an experience gap and it paid off for him.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU LOSE?
You’re only human if you think about it, but I told myself I’ll think about it afterward if it happens. It’s already written of what’s to come. All I want to think about is what I need to do and be 100% ready.
Banks vs. Mitchell will be the co main-event for Adrien Broner vs. Paulie Malignaggi, airing live from the Barclays Center on Showtime at 9 p.m. EST.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 