This Saturday we will see Kostya Tszyu defend his championship against Sharmba Mitchell. This will be fight numero dos in which we will see the inactive as of late, Tszyu, take on a healthy Mitchell.

Michell was stopped in their first fight due to a knee injury. He is in a healthy and fully recovered state as of present. The irony lies in that Tszyu is coming off of two injuries, one to the shoulder and the other to the Achilles tendon. The fascinating aspect of this fight, besides that it is between two top fighters in a division regarded by many as one of the most talent rich divisions in boxing, but also because this is a very hard one to call. Had this taken place directly after their first match, one would most likely put one's money on Tszyu, but now it seems that many are not sure who to pick.

Mitchell has been the most active of late and surely that can mean the difference in a match-up between two talented fighters. This concept has always been a standard of measure when attempting to call fights. But on occasion, there are fighters that have the talent and physical ability to negate this situational truth. Thank Tito Trinidad for occasions such as this. Tito came in with no ‘ring rust’ so to speak. If anyone in any of the divisions in boxing could repeat what Tito did, then that person would be Tszyu. This Russian born boxer is re-known for his physical superiority. Many have attributed his punching power to a middleweight and his past opponents have been known to spar with middleweights to prepare for Tszyu’s punch. The training regimen that Tszyu keeps is supposedly monstrous, even by boxing standards.

Tszyu reached a pinnacle when he defeated the flashy and talented Zab Judah. Tszyu was shaken a bit in the first round by Judah, who packed one of the best punches at 140 lbs. When the second round came, so did Tszyu’s frightening overhand right. Finito, night night for Judah. One thing should be noted, Tszyu is not the most comfortable with slick boxers. If you stand in front of Kostya, you will surely be seeing the canvas soon, but good movement can upset Tszyu's rhythm. Good movement is what Sharmba presents in this fight.

Mitchell is no physical slouch either. With a physique straight out of an issue of Men’s Health, Mitchell hasn’t been sleeping in the gym. He has great stamina, ring generalship, and can quickly move in and out of range with ease. He has definite athletic ability. His punching power is nowhere near that of Tszyu, but he finds angles easier than Don King! Should he try to set the pace and rhythm of the fight with his boxing skills, we will have a close fight. With his movement and previous four fights in roughly one year, Mitchell presents a viable threat to the reigning champion.

Tszyu will be in usual form come Saturday, patiently waiting and pressuring Mitchell for an opening. The time off will not be an issue concerning Kostya’s stamina. He will be in supreme physical conditioning. Mitchell will also be in top form and conditioning. His ‘all work and no play’ ring habits will make this a much closer fight than the first one.

The punching power of Kostya will be too much as the rounds pass. Mitchell will move and box, but Kostya’s vast amateur and pro experience will aid him in closing off the slick boxer in Mitchell. Over twelve rounds, Tszyu’s conditioning and natural strength will tilt this fight and the judges in his favor. Tszyu by split decision.

11-02-2004

 

Brought to you by Saratogamist copyright 2001-2004