The much anticipated rematch between Kostya Tszyu and Sharmba Mitchell has stirred a lot of interest amongst the boxing community as well as the casual fans of the sport. On November 6, 2004, Sharmba Mitchell will attempt to remove the cloud of doubt that has lingered since he met Tszyu 2 years ago, when he withdrew due to a knee injury many felt was questionable at best. On the other hand, Tszyu must prove that Father Time and inactivity due to injuries of his own, have not taken a toll, and that he still sits at the top of the food chain in the 140-lbs. division. We polled Bragging Rights Corner's Inner Circle of writers as well as many of our loyal friends in the boxing world, and judging from their response... well, why don't I let you read for yourselves... **Editor's Note: We will continue to update this poll as more replies reach us, so be sure to come back and check for new predictions. Thanks!   BRAGGING RIGHTS CORNER'S INNER CIRCLE... Based on as real as it gets intangibles, the choice here is the Sharmba Mitchell knee job outlasts the Kostya Tszyu dual handicaps via late round TKO or by unanimous decision. - George Elsasser   Sharmba Mitchell will win and maybe stop Tszyu. Tszyu has been way too  inactive to jump in and beat a guy like Mitchell who will have fought 4 times this year.  Tszyu didn't look good when the fought Leija  and he didn't look good vs. Mitchell before the fight was stopped due to injury.  Mitchell, on the other hand, has been very hot since the Tszyu fight. Prediction: Mitchell wins TKO 11 due to cuts. -  Aladdin Freeman   I think this is a winnable fight for Mitchell. If he uses his speed and stays away, he can win this fight. But, Kostya Tszyu's speed is underrated, and over a twelve round fight, I see him bullying his way inside. I think Mitchell will lead the early rounds, but Tszyu will come on strong and wear Mitchell down. I predict a close decision win for Tszyu.  -  Tom Dickey   My mind has been going back and forth on this fight for a good while. One moment I like Mitchell, who has been active against a string of solid  opposition as opposed to Tszyu, who hasn't fought in well over a year and a half. A moment later my mind shifts towards picking Tszyu, who's never been one to fold under the spotlight and who's toughness has been proven time and time again. In talking to fighters I've gathered that they feel Mitchell will be too much in the rematch, but I have to go with my gut and take Tszyu. I think Tszyu is a proud champion and I think he will take Mitchell out late in the 11th round. I think Sharmba will build an early lead but Kostya will pressure him and turn things around come the middle of the contest. Whatever the result I still feel that both guys could be involved in some big fights in the Jr. Welterweight division over the next couple of years. - Chris Robinson   Tszyu will score a 9th round TKO having beaten the will to fight out of "The Little Big Mouth." It's interesting, this is the most attention Tszyu has every had in America. I believe this is because there are so many fewer superstar boxers out there now. If Tszyu beat Mitchell, then that places him with Hopkins & Trinidad as the time tested true superstars still active and winning. - Darren Yates, from Down Under   A lot has changed since the first fight.  Mitchell has stayed busy against decent opponents, and I've gained respect for him over the last few years.  Tszyu hasn't fought in a while.  He should be well rested, healthy and still pack devastating power in the right hand.  Both are smart fighters.  Mitchell will try to fight his fight and not allow Tszyu to land the big right hand all night.  If Mitchell can do that he wins a decision over 12 rounds; if he can't anything can happen, and happen in a hurry. My brain tells me Mitchell, my gut Tszyu... Sharmba Mitchell by majority decision over Kostya Tszyu - Danny Serratelli   I pick Kostya Tszyu by 9th round TKO - Jeff Mayweather   This fight is a natural rematch , Its Stealth v Strength, and in many ways because of Mitchell's work ethic of keeping busy and winning, there does deserve to be a strong case for Mitchell pinching this one. History though does show us otherwise, with the majority of rematches being won by the same man either quicker or more convincingly than the first meeting.. An in shape Tszyu should get the W .. in my opinion on points.. his strength should carry him through to overpower a gallant Mitchell , but not without an argument... Tszyu by Unanimous Points - Stephen Jones   The punching power of Kostya Tszyu 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. - Xavier 'El Mago' Cepeda   Hopefully Sharmba Mitchell spent the last 3 years from the day he met Kostya Tszyu in 2001, studying every technical aspect of Tszyu . This will be a full 12 rounds, a close win for Sharmba and a follow-up rematch. - Audrey Chang   My instincts tell me Tszyu, but with such a significant layoff  I'm leaning towards Mitchell. I'll go with Mitchell by split decision. - Mike LeTourneau   Tszyu wins unanimous decision. - Bryce Todd   Ok, I'm having trouble deciding a clear cut winner on this one.  You have a southpaw boxer against an orthodox puncher who generally starts out slow. Since being stopped by Vince Phillips, Tszyu has shown a good beard, and Mitchell isn't really known as a one punch fighter.  I like Mitchell's ringmanship,  with that,  being a southpaw which can give Tszyu fits and Tszyu's inactivity in the ring I tend to lean towards Mitchell eking out a decision. - Kris Lake   Under normal circumstances Tszyu vs. Mitchell would be a fairly clear cut match-up of speed vs. power; however, Tszyu's inactivity due to injuries blurs the picture a bit. This is definitely a pick 'em fight, and one could make an argument for Mitchell's speed being the equalizer, but let's keep in mind that while Mitchell is fast, he is not as fast as Judah, and we all know what happened to Zab when he met Tszyu. I'll go with the power of Kostya Tszyu, a TKO stoppage somewhere between rounds 6 and 9. - Elisa Harrison ~~~~~~~~~~ OUR BOXING FRIENDS SPEAK OUT... Kostya Tszyu by another 'bad knee decision.' Sharmba Mitchell has no heart. - Randall Bailey, former WBC/WBA world champion   KT by decision. Mitchell down in the fight a couple times. - Robbie Peden   Kostya Tszyu must knock out Sharmba Mitchell within the first seven rounds of their world title fight in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday or lose his IBF junior welterweight crown...  Considering Kostya's inactivity you would have to think that Sharmba will finish the later rounds much fresher. He has been very busy fighting top-class opponents while Kostya has been out of boxing with severe injuries."- Lovemore Ndou (as told to Grantlee Kieza)   Sharmba Mitchell is the sharper fighter, had trouble with his knee the first time around, but he is sharper than ever before. I pick him to win. - Glen Johnson, (IBF Light Heavyweight Champion and destroyer of one Roy Jones, Jr.)   The best fighter is Sharmba Mitchell, the stronger fighter is Kostya Tszyu. I pick Sharmba Mitchell to win a decision. - Daniel Santos, (WBO Light Middleweight Champion) I like Sharmba by Kayo in eight rounds. He has been active, keeps looking good, and Kostya is rusty which is a bad way to be against a southpaw with good movement and power. - Harold Lederman/HBO's Unofficial Official   Kostya Tszyu by decision - Ivan 'Iron Boy' Calderón (WBO Minimum Weight Champion)   Kostya Tszyu by KO, Sharmba Mitchell has no heart. -  Zab Judah (WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Champion)   If the fight goes the distance it will be a Mitchell decision, but if it ends early, it will be a Tszyu KO. - Daniel "The Haitian Sensation" Edouard (USBA/WBA Fedecentro Middleweight Champion   Kostya Tszyu by KO in 10 - Lupe Contreras, Announcer (Telefutura/HBO Latino)   Kostya Tszyu by TKO no later than round 8. - Boxer Jesus Valverde   Sharmba Mitchell wins it. He is more active, will be faster and hard to reach. Mitchell by decision - Boxer Damian Frias   I like Tszyu but I think that the layoff is going to be a major factor. Mitchell has fought five times since the last fight. I don't think Tszyu can fight a guy like this, having been off for so long. Mitchell by KO. - Trainer Freddie Roach   After a hard first 3 or 4 rounds, Kostya Tszyu will find his strength and rhythm  and will prevail. Miguel Diaz (Legendary trainer/cutman)   Sharmba Mitchell by decision. - Santos Perez, Miami Herald   Sharmba Mitchell will outbox and defeat Kostya Tszyu with his footwork and skills. - Hank 'Lord of the Ring' Kaplan (Mr. Kaplan owns and maintains the world’s largest private boxing library and most extensive collection of boxing photographs and research resources).   Kostya Tszyu by close decision. - Kenny Knox, Boxing Update   Kostya Tszyu by TKO in 9 rounds. - Armando Alvarez, Maxboxing.com/Telemundo   Mitchell is a quick & slick southpaw who's neither very quick or slick. He is however a very crafty fighter, adept at doing the little things that can win fights (like stealing rounds). In Tszyu, however, he will be facing a destroyer, a guy who won't be coming to the ring trying to outpoint Sharmba (as the southpaw will surely be trying to do), but to put a whooping on him. He already did it once and made Mitchell quit, I can't see how it can be different this time around. - Yosvani Oliva, Editor, www.boxeomundial.net   You can’t completely count out Tszyu because he’s a great champion who has seen a lot himself, plus he can punch a ton. But in the end I definitely feel that Sharmba will have too much to offer and come away with the belts on November 6th.- Nate 'The Galaxxy Warrior' Campbell    If both guys come in shape this is a hard fight to pick, and should be a good fight. On one hand you got Sharmba with his speed, and Kostya with his power. I like Tszyu by a late round stoppage. Zab Judah is quicker than Sharmba, and Kostya handled him fine. I just don't think Sharmba can avoid Tszyu for the whole fight, and I don't feel that he can knock Tszyu out. I think Tszyu will stalk Sharmba and impose his will and wear Sharmba down and knock him out. Sharmba is a good fighter, and if he fights a great fight he can win. But I think his chin is questionable, and I don't think he can stay away from Tszyu's power for 12 rounds. Tszyu by a late stoppage. - Trainer Jack Mosley   Kostya Tszyu by KO in the ninth round. Tszyu is too strong, and will wear Mitchell down.  - Chuck Bodak (Legendary cutman)   Kostya Tszyu is as tough as they get.  Mitchell is the active fighter on the other hand.  But I still like Kostya Tszyu to win by KO in the later rounds.  This fight will be one to remember - Mario Serrano, Publicist for Roberto 'The Ghost' Guerrero (www.theghostguerrero.com)   Despite the fact that Tszyu has been inactive for quite some time, he's still the best in the Jr. welter division. Tszyu by K0 around the 9-10 rounds over Mitchell. - Oscar Borrás "20 de Mayo"     I like both fighters a lot, and they are both very good. That's really a tough question, because they are both good fighters. So I will predict a draw. - Boxer Eddie Sanchez Tszyu by late round stoppage. Tszyu is a very good fighter, and very powerful and will impose his will and stop Sharmba late. - Boxer Mando Muñiz                                                          Tszyu wins this one by unanimous decision  - Butch 'Big Dog' Sanchez (Trainer of champions Andrew 'Six Heads' Lewis, Chelo Diaz and Hector Acero-Sanchez)   Mitchell will use his speed and boxing skills to build an early lead and will survive the later rounds to win a decision.  - Jake Hall, Indiana State Boxing Commissioner I won't pretend to KNOW how this fight turns out. There are a few subtexts to consider, like Tszyu's long lay off and Mitchell's considerable activity. Mitchell is a good boxer, elusive, quick and can accumulate enough shots to knock guys out. Trinidad showed us in early October that a long lay off CAN be a good thing. It all depends on what you do with the time away. I think Tszyu is a very hard worker. He's had a lot of time to work on many facets of his game ...even while being injured. In his best days, Tszyu has impressed me as one of the best fighters in the sport. I trust he feels up to the task or he would simply retire. He really has little left to prove. Stamina and boxing skills will decide this match up. I like Kostya Tszyu to win by UD. He is going to hurt Mitchell, but Mitchell will gallantly hang around and get battered till the last round. - Frank Gonzalez Jr./Sharkie'sMachine (Boxing writer) Ok, let's just disregard my prediction for the DLH/Hopkins blowout and pretend it never happened, right?  Here goes: Tszyu will start slowly, attempting to connect with a long stiff jab to the much more nimble and elusive Mitchell.  Mitchell will be ripping combinations and pot-shotting Tszyu from the outset and winning nearly every round.  Tszyu will come on strong after rocking Mitchell a little past the halfway point, but it will be "a little, too late" as Mitchell wins by decision. - Ricky Ray Taylor (Trainer) Tszyu finally stops Mitchell in 11th with big right -  Bob Trieger, (Publicist) Sharmba Mitchell will out box him for a 12 round decision - J.D. Brown, (SRL Boxing Operations/Boxing Manager)   Kostya Tszyu by 6th round KO - Phil Weinstein, (former boxer)   The long awaited rematch has finally arrived. I have been looking forward to this for a very long time. Despite a very long lay off I am taking Kostya Tszyu by a close unanimous decision. I suppose common sense would tell me to take Sharmba Mitchell as he has been active and winning. Tszyu has been training very hard despite the trying times he has been through with his injuries and I feel he will be in Mitchell's face for most of the fight and seal the deal when the final bell rings. - Ed Ludwig, Boxing writer   Sharmba Mitchell wins a split decision. - Angel Rodriguez/Maxboxing.com   I have to go with Mitchell for the simple reason of his activity. While Tszyu has left us with a great impression in his past fights, however we must understand, that was years ago. Perhaps the best way to predict the outcome of this fight is to look back at their last contest. Mitchell was for the most part staying with Tszyu on bad knees, and still somehow managed to make an interesting fight of things; and he wasn't even 100 percent. Sharmba Mitchell is too fast and too slick, and wins by a 9th round TKO! - Ronnie Duncan- Sportscaster and Ring Announcer   This should be a very entertaining night.  I have to lean toward a Tszyu decision. - Jeff Gibson, Elite Promotions, www.elitepromotions.info   Kostya Tszyu KO 6 - Andre Kut, Promoter KEA Boxing   I like Mitchell by a 12 rd decision - Damon Feldman, Promoter   Tszyu wins a unanimous decision in this rematch against Mitchell. - Fabian Weber, www.boxingnews.de/   I think Mitchell by decision, my only concern is Kostya has been gone a while. - Referee Jorge Alonso   Tszyu will win this by a decision in a great match. -  Referee Elmo Adolph   Sharmba Mitchell... either a decision or a late stoppage - Brad Goodman (Las Vegas Matchmaker)   Sharmba in a knockdown, drag out, last standing kind of brawl. Mitchell by decision. - Chris Thorne   An exceptionally difficult one to call. There's absolutely no way of knowing how Tszyu will respond to the long layoff he's had, and the injuries that he's suffered. He won't even know himself until the first bell rings. It's entirely likely that an active, capable, and battle hardened Mitchell will simply take him apart. As such, any sort of prediction for this one involves a lot of guesswork.  Recent boxing events favour the challenger too. There's been a noticeable 'changing of the guard' over recent months in the sport. Champions and big names like Barrera, Jones, Tyson and De La Hoya have been getting KO'd left right and centre, while respected and capable but previously unsung practitioners like Winky Wright and Glen Johnson have finally stepped into the limelight. If ever there was a scenario that had the potential to continue this trend (which is inevitable by the way), this is it.  Mitchell's a slick, highly experienced fighter with the ability and the style to give anyone at this weight a run for their money, and you couldn't dismiss him against anyone. Tszyu, for his part, even in a best case scenario, can't approach his best form for this one. If Mitchell does have a weakness though, it's in a lack of top drawer power, and the fact that he likes to be able to set the pace for his fights. Power is one thing Kostya's not lacking in, and the guess here, and it is a guess, is that the champ has enough left, and packs enough of a punch, to not let Sharmba dictate, and to retain by a close hard fought decision. It's a pick I've arrived at without a great deal of confidence though I must add. - Finbarr   www.BoxingsTrueChamps.com   Kostya Tszyu se va a ver en muchas dificultades para poder vencer a Sharmba Mitchell.  Sus 22 meses alejado del cuadrilátero será un factor importante en este combate.  Sin embargo Mitchell ha estado activo y no ha tenido problema con su rodilla como le sucedió en su primer combate.  Determinar un ganador no es fácil, pero me inclino que la inactividad inclina la balanza a favor de Mitchell, un boxeador experimentado, zurdo, con buen boxeo y aceptable pegada.  Lo que si estamos seguro, es de que va a ser una gran pelea.  Mitchell por decision, pero de existir un nocaut éste lo proporcionará Tszyu. (Kostya Tszyu is going to find himself in great difficulties to be able to beat Sharmba Mitchell. The 22 months away from action has to be an important factor in this match-up. Mitchell, on the other hand, has stayed active and hasn't had any problems with his knee as he did in their first bout. Determining a winner is not easy, but I lean towards believing that the inactivity tilts the scale towards Mitchell, an experienced fighter, southpaw, with good boxing skills and fair punching power). - Antonio Purriños, Editor, "La Voz de Miami Beach"   I select Kostya by decision (Sharmba looks better than before, but he'll run). I've lost confidence in Sharmba Mitchell... He's a fader after round 6. His only hope is to try to knock Kostya (who is rusty after such a long layoff  20+ months) in the early rounds (pre fade). - James Roberts, boxing writer   ***Editor's Acknowledgment: Sincere thanks to Tom Dickey and Danny Serratelli for their assistance with this poll. 11-2-2004 Brought to you by Saratogamist copyright 2001-2004