NEW YORK (May 11, 2011) – He’s relatively new to the boxing game having picked up the sport just three years ago at the age of 25, but former college football star Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (21-0-1, 15 KOs) says to expect quite a show this Friday, May 13, as he takes on tough Nicaraguan Evans “The Sandman” Quinn (20-5-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight battle LIVE on ShoBox: the New Generation on SHOWTIME (11:05 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West coast).
SHOWTIME fight fans will “see a heavyweight who comes out and applies a lot of pressure,” said Mitchell, a former linebacker at Michigan State University. “Not one that provides a boring fight. They can expect someone who is aggressive and who is coming to win and ready to put on an exciting fight.”
Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (19-0, 12 KOs) of Las Vegas meets “Sugar” Raymundo Beltran (24-4, 16 KOs) of North Hollywood, Calif., for the vacant NABO lightweight title from Buffalo Bill’s Star of the Desert Arena in Primm, Nev., in the main event on Friday.
The exciting night of fights is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and is sponsored by Corona and DeWalt Tools. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the first bell set for 6:30 p.m.
Tickets, priced at $50 (Floor) and $20 (General Admission) are on sale and available for purchase at the Star of the Desert Arena Box Office or online at www.primmvalleyresorts.com. Tickets will also be available through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Mitchell answered six questions.
Question: You are already 28 years old and started boxing just three years ago. Do you still feel like you have a long ways to go in boxing?
MITCHELL: “I don’t feel like I have a long way to go although at the same time I feel like there are certain things that I need to improve on. I think my learning curve has been excellent. I’ve learned a lot and I have a great trainer (Andre Hunter) who has helped me along the way. I think my overall boxing game is good. The one thing I think I can improve on is countering off my defense. I feel like I have a fairly strong defense but when I go back and watch myself, I see that my opponent will miss, but that the counter is not there. It’s not second nature for me to do it. If I think about it, I do it, but it doesn’t come naturally for me. So countering off my defense is something I’m really working on.”
Question: You have said that if you had never seen NFL player Tom Zbikowski box, then you probably would have never been turned onto the sport of boxing. Is he someone you would like to fight someday?
MITCHELL: “Absolutely. I was a casual boxing fan before I started and to see someone like him that I played against in college have success, it really inspired me and got me to pick up the sport. I can honestly say that if I would have never seen him fight, then I probably wouldn’t be talking to you today. As far as fighting him goes, we are at two different stages in our careers. I think he’s 3-0 and I’m 21-0 and I believe he’s a cruiserweight. If he comes up to heavyweight and gets up there in the rankings then yes, but I’m not going to call him out now.”
Question: Your opponent is nicknamed “The Sandman” because he says his punches put people to sleep. What do you know about him?
MITCHELL: “He’s about 6-foot-2, 225, 230 pounds. He’s right-handed and a counter puncher. He has 18 KOs and good punching power. I’m going to have to stay focused and watch his punching power. His record and his KO power say it’s my toughest opponent to date, but that remains to be seen. I think he has to worry about what I bring to the table. I’m in tremendous shape and my focus is at an all-time high. I’ve been fortunate enough to never have been cut or knocked down in my career and I don’t intend to either on Friday night, but I’m not underestimating my opponent. I just know I’m not going to be the one going to sleep.”
Question: You’ve been to Kuwait and Iraq to visit the U.S. troops on a USO Tour with other boxers. What was that experience like?
MITCHELL: “It was great and so much more than I expected. Just to go over and visit them for a week was so special. To spend time with them and see what they go through on a day-to-day basis was a very humbling experience for me. It made me appreciate some of the things I take for granted. It’s just something I’ll never forget.”
Question: Your degree is in criminal justice with a specialization in Homeland Security. What do you see yourself doing after your boxing career is finished?
MITCHELL: “I might get into the boxing game maybe as an announcer or something, but just doing something that gives back to the community would be my ultimate goal and be what I’d want to do. I have a big heart and I’m all about helping the youth in my community. I grew up without a dad but did have a lot of father figures that really helped me out. I had some great mentors that led me to do the right things, so I think just setting up some programs for the youth would be a great way to give back.”
Question: Who would you most like to fight?
MITCHELL: “Right now the Klitschko brothers are running the heavyweight division. I’m not going to say they are very exciting fighters to watch, but they are good fighters and they are effective fighters and they’ve proven that they are the best. Right now, I just want to fight whoever has the belts. I’m in this to fight a world championship. I know it’s going to come in due time and I will get that fight because I want to become heavyweight champion of the world.”
Whitley-Hall on June 25
HOLYOKE, Mass. (May 12, 2011) – Professional boxing returns to Holyoke for only the second time in the past half-century, the first since 2000, on June 25 when American Fighting Organization (“AFO”) presents, “Homecoming,” at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke.
Boxing’s roots in Holyoke date all of the way back to 1896 and Valley Arena, a converted Gas House, was a regular venue for “smokers” boxing shows Monday nights from 1926-1960. The great Rocky Marciano made his pro debut there March 17, 1947, knocking out Lee Epperson in the third round. Hall of Famer Willie Pep fought there a dozen times in the forties, as did his fellow HOF inductees Sandy Saddler, Beau Jack, Sixto Escobar and Fritzie Zivic. World champions Tony DeMarco, Paddy DeMarco, Lou Ambers and Lou Salica, 1932 Olympic bronze medalist, also fought as pros in Valley Arena. A pair of world heavyweight champions, Joe Louis and Jersey Joe Walcott, respectively, refereed a wrestling match and fought a boxing exhibition there. Pro cards were also held in Holyoke at City Hall, Falco Field, and the Paper City Athletic Club.
“Homecoming” features three Holyoke fighters and two others from nearby Springfield. “We’re very excited to bring pro boxing back to Holyoke,” AFO director of boxing operations Artie DePinho said. “Holyoke has a long, rich boxing tradition dating back more than 100 years. Our show will showcase some solid veterans and great young talent in exciting, competitive fights.”
In the eight-round main event, former Massachusetts super middleweight champion Derrick “Double Impact” Whitley (24-25-3, 11 KOs), of Holyoke, takes on former Interim World Boxing Association (“WBA) light heavyweight titlist Richard “The Destroyer” Hall (29-8, 27 KOs) at a 190-pound catch-weight in a battle of contrasting styles between veteran southpaws. Whitley’s never-quit style has resulted in him never being stopped in 52 pro bouts, while Hall has knocked out 27 of his 29 victims.
.
Whitley’s 16-year pro career includes fights against world champion Manny Siaca, as well as world title challengers Kabary Salem (twice), Randy Griffin and Rico Hoye. Hall, who defeated Anthony Bigeni by second-round knockout in their 1999 Interim WBA light heavyweight world title fight, defeated former world champion Byron Mitchell 3 ½ years ago, in addition to testing world champions Roy Jones Jr., Dariusz Michalczewski (twice) and Glen Johnson.
Super featherweight and fan favorite Joseph “Chip” Perez (5-1, 2 KOs) returns home to fight in the six-round, co-feature against an opponent to be determined. Pro debuting junior welterweights Jair “Da-Bully” Ramos, of Waterbury (CT), and Robbie Hunt, of Hyannis (MA), square-off in a four-round bout.
Also fighting on the undercard in four-round bouts is Holyoke light heavyweight Pedro “Tyson” Gonzales in his pro debut vs. TBA, Springfield light heavyweight Reinaldo Graceski (1-0) vs. Kevin “KTAY Z UNKL” Cobbs (1-0, 1 KO), and Springfield welterweight Jose Angel “KO” Ortiz (4-6-1, 1 KO) vs. Greg Hackett (2-8), All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets are priced at $40.00, $50.00 and $100.00 and are available at or by calling (413.534.7366) the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke (70 Nick Cosmos Way), as well as going on line at www,afomma.com. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.