Brian Mitchell (boxer)

Last updated

Brian Mitchell
Born
Brian Mitchell

(1961-08-30) 30 August 1961 (age 62)
Statistics
Weight(s) Super-featherweight
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm) [1]
Reach68 in (173 cm) [1]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights49
Wins45
Wins by KO21
Losses1
Draws3

Brian Mitchell (born 30 August 1961 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a South African former professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 1995. He held the WBA super-featherweight title from 1986 to 1991, The Ring super-featherweight title from 1986 to 1988, and the IBF super-featherweight title from 1991 to 1992.

Contents

Beginnings

Mitchell began his career in late 1981, winning his first three fights on points over four rounds in less than two months. By the end of November he had won five times, defeating Simon Zondo and then Mose Mthiyane on fourth-round knockouts.

He began 1982 with a two-round KO of Phanuel Mosoane, but then suffered a setback, losing over 10 rounds to Jacob Morake. It would prove to be the only loss of his career, and left Mitchell's record at six wins and one defeat.

He won his next two fights, one on points and one by knockout, but was then held to a draw over six rounds by Frank Khonkhobe. In October 1982, he met Khonkhobe in a rematch and won on a 10-round decision.

In March 1983 Mitchell won an eight-round decision from Jerome Gumede, earning him a South African junior-lightweight title shot at Chris Whiteboy. He made the most of his opportunity, knocking Whiteboy out in the ninth round to claim the title. Bashew Sibaca lasted 10 rounds as Mitchell defended his crown, but Graham Gcola lasted just two rounds. Mitchell then met Jacob Morake, the only boxer to have beaten him in his young career. He won a points decision over 12 rounds. Fighting Frank Khonkhobe for the third time, Mitchell recorded a points victory. He finished 1983 with a first-round KO win over Blessing Ndlele.

Morake faced Mitchell for the third time in March 1984, and the champion again defended his South African title over 12 rounds. He then disposed of Carlos Miguel Rodriguez in four rounds, and won on points against Iland Matthews over six rounds. Nika Khumalo lasted only two rounds in his title challenge, and Mitchell then outpointed Aladin Stevens over eight rounds. Mitchell opened 1985 with a three-round KO win over Nyungi Mtiya, and then posted two seventh-round knockout wins in succession, defeating Carlos Rodriguez and Vicente Jorge. He improved his record to 25 wins, one loss and one draw when he beat Job Sisanga on points over eight rounds.

In his next bout, in November 1985, he faced Jacob Morake for the fourth time. It proved to be a tragic fight. Mitchell won on a twelfth-round KO, but Morake had absorbed a terrible amount of punishment and later died of head injuries.

Mitchell returned to the ring in March 1986, knocking out Julio Ruiz in six rounds at Sun City. In June of the same year, he defended his South African junior-lightweight title against Bushy Mosoeu, winning on points over 12 rounds.

World title

In September he was given a crack at Alfredo Layne's world junior lightweight title in Sun City, South Africa. Mitchell seized his chance, dropping the Panamanian champion three times in the tenth round to win the title by knock-out. [2] He next travelled to San Juan to tackle Jose Rivera, and after a tough battle emerged with a draw over 15 rounds. Less than two months later, he knocked out Aurelio Benitez in two rounds in a non-title bout. On 31 July, he faced Francisco Fernandez in Panama City and, with his excellent conditioning to the fore, knocked out the challenger in the fourteenth round. Mitchell was next in action in Gravelines, France, where he defeated Daniel Londas on points. He finished the year in Capo d'Orlando, Italy, with a ninth-round knockout of Salvatore Curcetti.

Mitchell took on Jose Rivera for the second time in April 1988 in Madrid. He again defended his title over the distance. In a non-title match he decisioned Danilo Cabrera over 10 rounds, and then outpointed Jim McDonnell over 12 rounds to defend his title for the sixth time.

In 1989 Mitchell headed to Italy, where he knocked out Salvatore Bottiglieri in eight rounds. Fighting in Italy once more, he saw off the challenge of Jackie Beard, and then disposed of his namesake, Irving Mitchell, in seven rounds in the USA. In his final fight of 1989, Mitchell defeated Felipe Orozco on points in a non-title match.

The following year he faced Beard again, winning a 12-round points decision in Italy. He then defeated Frank Mitchell, also over the distance, to maintain his hold on the junior-lightweight title.

In 1991 Mitchell travelled to Sacramento to face local hero Tony "The Tiger" Lopez arguably the toughest foe of his career. In a hometown decision that shocked boxing experts, Lopez managed to draw with Mitchell. The South African boxer was stripped of his WBA crown for facing Lopez for the IBF title, and suddenly he found himself without a world title for the first time since 1986. However, he again faced Lopez in Sacramento in September, and on that occasion made sure of victory with a convincing points win, claiming the IBF title in the process.

Mitchell retired from boxing after that fight, but came out of retirement for two more victories in 1994 and 1995 before permanently retiring from the ring.

He finished his career with 45 wins, a solitary loss and three draws. His 12 successful defences of the junior–lightweight title was only eclipsed by his countryman Vuyani Bungu who achieved the record of thirteen successful defences.

In rankings based on the formula of "the man who beat the man", Mitchell was rated the world's best junior-lightweight boxer from 1986 to his retirement in 1991. He proved his toughness by making 12 title defences on the road, and he proved his ability time after time when fighting for the world title.

Many South Africans would consider him the country's greatest ever pugilist. Today, he is one of South Africa's foremost boxing trainers.

Mitchell was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009, and notwithstanding his exit from the amateur ranks in the early 80's, he was awarded honorary Springbok colours at a box–and-dine evening held at the Johannesburg City Hall in April 1989. [3]

Professional boxing record

49 fights45 wins1 loss
By knockout210
By decision241
Draws3
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
49Win45–1–3Silverio FloresUD101 Apr 1995Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
48Win44–1–3 Mike Evgen RTD6 (10)26 Nov 1994Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
47Win43–1–3 Tony Lopez UD1213 Sep 1991ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.Won IBF super-featherweight title
46Draw42–1–3 Tony Lopez SD1215 Mar 1991 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.Retained WBA super-featherweight title;
For IBF super-featherweight title
45Win42–1–2Frankie MitchellUD1229 Sep 1990Palazzetto del Ghiaccio, Aosta, ItalyRetained WBA super-featherweight title
44Win41–1–2 Jackie Beard UD1214 Mar 1990Palazzetto dello Sport, Grosseto, ItalyRetained WBA super-featherweight title
43Win40–1–2Felipe OrazcoSD1011 Nov 1989Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
42Win39–1–2Irving MitchellTKO7 (12)28 Sep 1989 Central Maine Civic Center, Lewiston, Maine, U.S.Retained WBA super-featherweight title
41Win38–1–2 Jackie Beard TD9 (12)2 Jul 1989 Stadio Ezio Scida, Crotone, ItalyRetained WBA super-featherweight title
40Win37–1–2Salvatore BottiglieriTKO8 (12)11 Feb 1989Palasport Guiseppi Valencia, Messina, ItalyRetained WBA super-featherweight title
39Win36–1–2 Jim McDonnell UD122 Nov 1988Elephant & Castle Centre, London, United Kingdom Retained WBA super-featherweight title
38Win35–1–2 Danilo Cabrera UD104 Jun 1988 Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
37Win34–1–2Jose RiveraUD1226 Apr 1988Scalia Melia Castilla, Madrid, SpainRetained WBA super-featherweight title
36Win33–1–2Salvatore CurcettiRTD8 (12)19 Dec 1987Palazzo Dello Sport, Messina, ItalyRetained WBA super-featherweight title
35Win32–1–2 Daniel Londas UD153 Oct 1987L'Espace International, Gravelines, France Retained WBA super-featherweight title
34Win31–1–2Francisco FernandezTKO14 (15)31 Jul 1987 Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Retained WBA super-featherweight title
33Win30–1–2Aurelio BenitezTKO2 (10)16 May 1987Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
32Draw29–1–2Jose RiveraMD1527 Mar 1987 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBA and The Ring super-featherweight titles
31Win29–1–1 Alfredo Layne TKO10 (15)27 Sep 1986Superbowl, Sun City, BophuthatswanaWon WBA and The Ring super-featherweight titles
30Win28–1–1Bushy MosoeuUD1214 Jun 1986Superbowl, Sun City, BophuthatswanaRetained South African super-featherweight title
29Win27–1–1Julio Pastor RuizKO6 (10)1 Mar 1986Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
28Win26–1–1Jacob MorakeTKO12 (12)2 Nov 1985Superbowl, Sun City, BophuthatswanaRetained South African super-featherweight title
Morake died of head injuries [4]
27Win25–1–1Job SisangaPTS827 Jul 1985Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
26Win24–1–1Vincente JorgeTKO7 (10)27 Apr 1985Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
25Win23–1–1Carlos RodriguezRTD6 (8)30 Mar 1985Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
24Win22–1–1Nyingi MtyaTKO3 (12)11 Feb 1985Vosloorus Civic Centre, Boksburg, South AfricaRetained South African super-featherweight title
23Win21–1–1Aladin StevensPTS81 Dec 1984Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
22Win20–1–1Nika KhumaloTKO2 (12)2 Aug 1984 Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, South AfricaRetained South African super-featherweight title
21Win19–1–1Iland MathewsPTS616 Apr 1984Joekies Ice Rink, Welkom, South Africa
20Win18–1–1Carlos MiguelTKO4 (10)31 Mar 1984Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
19Win17–1–1Jacob MorakeUD122 Mar 1984Kwa-Thema Civic Centre, Springs, South AfricaRetained South African super-featherweight title
18Win16–1–1Blessing NdlelaTKO1 (8)19 Dec 1983West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
17Win15–1–1Frank KhonkhobeUD1221 Nov 1983Wembley Sports Pavilion, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African super-featherweight title
16Win14–1–1Jacob MorakeSD126 Aug 1983Wembley Sports Pavilion, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African super-featherweight title
15Win13–1–1Graham GolaKO2 (12)27 Jun 1983Wembley Sports Pavilion, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African super-featherweight title
14Win12–1–1Bashew SibacaPTS102 May 1983West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
13Win11–1–1Chris WhiteboyTKO9 (12)9 Apr 1983Oppenheimer Stadium, Orkney, South AfricaWon South African super-featherweight title
12Win10–1–1Jerome GumedePTS814 Mar 1983West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
11Win9–1–1Frank KhonkhobeSD1015 Oct 1982Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
10Draw8–1–1Frank KhonkhobePTS630 Jul 1982Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
9Win8–1Moses SithebeTKO5 (6)26 Jun 1982 Oppenheimer Stadium, Orkney South Africa
8Win7–1Joseph TsotetsiPTS617 May 1982Jack Eustace Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
7Loss6–1Jacob MorakeUD101 May 1982Kwa-Thema Civic Centre, Springs, South AfricaFor Transvaal super-featherweight title
6Win6–0Phanuel MosoaneTKO2 (6)6 Feb 1982 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
5Win5–0Moses MthiyaneTKO4 (6)30 Nov 1981West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
4Win4–0Simon ZondoTKO4 (6)31 Oct 1981Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
3Win3–0Tammy MayiselaPTS43 Oct 1981Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
2Win2–0Bushy MosoeuPTS419 Sep 1981Wembley Sports Pavilion, Johannesburg, South Africa
1Win1–0Joseph MoneoanePTS415 Aug 1981Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa

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References

  1. 1 2 TVKO tale of the tape prior to the Tony Lopez rematch.
  2. "Brian Mitchell - Lineal Jr. Lightweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  3. "SuperSport".
  4. "Jacob Morake - BoxRec".
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA super-featherweight champion
27 September 1986 25 April 1991
Stripped
Vacant
Title next held by
Joey Gamache
The Ring super-featherweight title
27 September 1986 1988
The Ring discontinued the title
Vacant
Title next held by
Manny Pacquiao
Vacant
Title last held by
Tony Lopez
super-featherweight champion
13 September 1991 24 January 1992
Retired
Vacant
Title next held by
John John Molina