Juda vs Mitchell
Camps talking about long-delayed showdown
By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com
Archive
When Zab Judah and Sharmba Mitchell simultaneously held junior welterweight belts, a potential unification showdown never materialized because Kostya Tszyu got to them first, adding their belts to his title to become the undisputed champion in 2001.
Now the attractive match that never happened at 140 pounds is on the verge of being made at 147 for Judah's undisputed welterweight championship.
Mitchell (56-4, 30 KOs) said he signed a contract this week to face Judah on Sept. 3 (Showtime).
"It's an opportunity that I have to thank Zab for," Mitchell told ESPN.com. "We've been wanting to fight each other for so long. I'm ready to fight him. I always said I would fight him before I retired. Before I retired I wanted to get to 60 wins and win the welterweight championship and now I am well on my way to both."
Mitchell
Judah
Judah (34-2, 25 KOs) said he wants the fight, too, but still has to conclude his deal with promoter Don King.
"We haven't finished our negotiations yet but everyone knows me. I'll fight anyone," Judah said. "Sharmba Mitchell is a joke to me. He's looking for a nice little payday and a whupping, and I'll give him both. We'll make it happen. He's a good fighter, a two-time champion, don't get me wrong. But I'm focused and when I am focused no one can touch me."
King said the fight, one that Showtime pressed him for, probably would happen.
"This is a great potential fight. The fight will happen because one thing about Zab Judah is he don't back down from nobody," King said.
"I will meet with Zab and see what the score is but I am working on it. Zab really wants to fight Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya, even Winky Wright. He wants nothing but big names because he is a super fighter, so we're working on the situation. Judah is the best fighter in the world. He's dropped the gauntlet to everybody but on Sept. 3, we are working toward a Sharmba Mitchell fight, ain't no question about it."
Showtime's Jay Larkin believes the match will be another in a long line of strong fights the network has delivered since February, including Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo, Kostya Tszyu-Ricky Hatton, Jean-Marc Mormeck-Wayne Braithwaite and Judah-Cory Spinks II.
"It is premature to announce Judah vs. Mitchell but all parties seem to be on the right track," Larkin said. "It appears to be a fight that both fighters want badly and that usually makes for a good brawl. Zab is at the top of his game and Sharmba is really motivated for the 147 title shot against him."
The fight would mark a reunion between Mitchell and King, who promoted Mitchell during his title reign. But they had a falling out that was smoothed over during talks for this fight.
"We don't have the best relationship but I take my hat off to Don King for working to do this fight," Mitchell said. "Business is business and Don is one of the greatest business men out there."
No site has been selected but Mitchell attorney Jeff Fried believes Mitchell's hometown of Washington is a possibility.
"It would be an ideal place as long as we get the right financial backing," said Fried, who was involved in securing the financing for June's Mike Tyson-Kevin McBride fight in Washington.
Said Larkin: "If the fight comes together, it certainly seems to belong somewhere in the Northeast corridor. Perhaps New York, perhaps Washington or maybe somewhere in the middle."
Judah, from New York, has not had any issues with going to his opponent's hometown. He went to Spinks' hometown of St. Louis for their February rematch and knocked Spinks out in the ninth round to win the undisputed title. He's made one defense, stopping Cosme Rivera in spectacular fashion in the third round in May.
"I'm not afraid to go anywhere," Judah said. "I will go to his hometown. It's not a problem, but I would like to fight on my turf. (Rounds) 1-3, a knockout, no matter where we fight. If he makes it past the third round, he's good."
Said Mitchell: "I think the styles really match up well. Zab is a good boxer but I am a great boxer. I don't think anyone can outbox me."
In his final junior welterweight fight, Mitchell was knocked out by Tszyu in the third round in November, 2004. It was a rematch of the 2001 bout that cost Mitchell his belt. Mitchell made a successful welterweight debut last month on the Tyson-McBride undercard, winning a five-round technical decision against Chris Smith. The fight was stopped after an accidental head clash left Mitchell with cuts above and below his eye.
Camps talking about long-delayed showdown
By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com
Archive
When Zab Judah and Sharmba Mitchell simultaneously held junior welterweight belts, a potential unification showdown never materialized because Kostya Tszyu got to them first, adding their belts to his title to become the undisputed champion in 2001.
Now the attractive match that never happened at 140 pounds is on the verge of being made at 147 for Judah's undisputed welterweight championship.
Mitchell (56-4, 30 KOs) said he signed a contract this week to face Judah on Sept. 3 (Showtime).
"It's an opportunity that I have to thank Zab for," Mitchell told ESPN.com. "We've been wanting to fight each other for so long. I'm ready to fight him. I always said I would fight him before I retired. Before I retired I wanted to get to 60 wins and win the welterweight championship and now I am well on my way to both."
Mitchell
Judah
Judah (34-2, 25 KOs) said he wants the fight, too, but still has to conclude his deal with promoter Don King.
"We haven't finished our negotiations yet but everyone knows me. I'll fight anyone," Judah said. "Sharmba Mitchell is a joke to me. He's looking for a nice little payday and a whupping, and I'll give him both. We'll make it happen. He's a good fighter, a two-time champion, don't get me wrong. But I'm focused and when I am focused no one can touch me."
King said the fight, one that Showtime pressed him for, probably would happen.
"This is a great potential fight. The fight will happen because one thing about Zab Judah is he don't back down from nobody," King said.
"I will meet with Zab and see what the score is but I am working on it. Zab really wants to fight Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya, even Winky Wright. He wants nothing but big names because he is a super fighter, so we're working on the situation. Judah is the best fighter in the world. He's dropped the gauntlet to everybody but on Sept. 3, we are working toward a Sharmba Mitchell fight, ain't no question about it."
Showtime's Jay Larkin believes the match will be another in a long line of strong fights the network has delivered since February, including Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo, Kostya Tszyu-Ricky Hatton, Jean-Marc Mormeck-Wayne Braithwaite and Judah-Cory Spinks II.
"It is premature to announce Judah vs. Mitchell but all parties seem to be on the right track," Larkin said. "It appears to be a fight that both fighters want badly and that usually makes for a good brawl. Zab is at the top of his game and Sharmba is really motivated for the 147 title shot against him."
The fight would mark a reunion between Mitchell and King, who promoted Mitchell during his title reign. But they had a falling out that was smoothed over during talks for this fight.
"We don't have the best relationship but I take my hat off to Don King for working to do this fight," Mitchell said. "Business is business and Don is one of the greatest business men out there."
No site has been selected but Mitchell attorney Jeff Fried believes Mitchell's hometown of Washington is a possibility.
"It would be an ideal place as long as we get the right financial backing," said Fried, who was involved in securing the financing for June's Mike Tyson-Kevin McBride fight in Washington.
Said Larkin: "If the fight comes together, it certainly seems to belong somewhere in the Northeast corridor. Perhaps New York, perhaps Washington or maybe somewhere in the middle."
Judah, from New York, has not had any issues with going to his opponent's hometown. He went to Spinks' hometown of St. Louis for their February rematch and knocked Spinks out in the ninth round to win the undisputed title. He's made one defense, stopping Cosme Rivera in spectacular fashion in the third round in May.
"I'm not afraid to go anywhere," Judah said. "I will go to his hometown. It's not a problem, but I would like to fight on my turf. (Rounds) 1-3, a knockout, no matter where we fight. If he makes it past the third round, he's good."
Said Mitchell: "I think the styles really match up well. Zab is a good boxer but I am a great boxer. I don't think anyone can outbox me."
In his final junior welterweight fight, Mitchell was knocked out by Tszyu in the third round in November, 2004. It was a rematch of the 2001 bout that cost Mitchell his belt. Mitchell made a successful welterweight debut last month on the Tyson-McBride undercard, winning a five-round technical decision against Chris Smith. The fight was stopped after an accidental head clash left Mitchell with cuts above and below his eye.
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