Brian Mitchell (boxer)

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.

Brian Mitchell
Born
Brian Mitchell

(1961-08-30) 30 August 1961 (age 63)
Statistics
Weight(s)Super-featherweight
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)[1]
Reach68 in (173 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights49
Wins45
Wins by KO21
Losses1
Draws3

Beginnings

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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

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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

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49 fights 45 wins 1 loss
By knockout 21 0
By decision 24 1
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
49 Win 45–1–3 Silverio Flores UD 10 1 Apr 1995 Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
48 Win 44–1–3 Mike Evgen RTD 6 (10) 26 Nov 1994 Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
47 Win 43–1–3 Tony Lopez UD 12 13 Sep 1991 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S. Won IBF super-featherweight title
46 Draw 42–1–3 Tony Lopez SD 12 15 Mar 1991 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S. Retained WBA super-featherweight title;
For IBF super-featherweight title[broken anchor]
45 Win 42–1–2 Frankie Mitchell UD 12 29 Sep 1990 Palazzetto del Ghiaccio, Aosta, Italy Retained WBA super-featherweight title
44 Win 41–1–2 Jackie Beard UD 12 14 Mar 1990 Palazzetto dello Sport, Grosseto, Italy Retained WBA super-featherweight title
43 Win 40–1–2 Felipe Orazco SD 10 11 Nov 1989 Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
42 Win 39–1–2 Irving Mitchell TKO 7 (12) 28 Sep 1989 Central Maine Civic Center, Lewiston, Maine, U.S. Retained WBA super-featherweight title
41 Win 38–1–2 Jackie Beard TD 9 (12) 2 Jul 1989 Stadio Ezio Scida, Crotone, Italy Retained WBA super-featherweight title
40 Win 37–1–2 Salvatore Bottiglieri TKO 8 (12) 11 Feb 1989 Palasport Guiseppi Valencia, Messina, Italy Retained WBA super-featherweight title
39 Win 36–1–2 Jim McDonnell UD 12 2 Nov 1988 Elephant & Castle Centre, London, United Kingdom Retained WBA super-featherweight title
38 Win 35–1–2 Danilo Cabrera UD 10 4 Jun 1988 Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
37 Win 34–1–2 Jose Rivera UD 12 26 Apr 1988 Scalia Melia Castilla, Madrid, Spain Retained WBA super-featherweight title
36 Win 33–1–2 Salvatore Curcetti RTD 8 (12) 19 Dec 1987 Palazzo Dello Sport, Messina, Italy Retained WBA super-featherweight title
35 Win 32–1–2 Daniel Londas UD 15 3 Oct 1987 L'Espace International, Gravelines, France Retained WBA super-featherweight title
34 Win 31–1–2 Francisco Fernandez TKO 14 (15) 31 Jul 1987 Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Retained WBA super-featherweight title
33 Win 30–1–2 Aurelio Benitez TKO 2 (10) 16 May 1987 Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
32 Draw 29–1–2 Jose Rivera MD 15 27 Mar 1987 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBA and The Ring super-featherweight titles
31 Win 29–1–1 Alfredo Layne TKO 10 (15) 27 Sep 1986 Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana Won WBA and The Ring super-featherweight titles
30 Win 28–1–1 Bushy Mosoeu UD 12 14 Jun 1986 Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana Retained South African super-featherweight title
29 Win 27–1–1 Julio Pastor Ruiz KO 6 (10) 1 Mar 1986 Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
28 Win 26–1–1 Jacob Morake TKO 12 (12) 2 Nov 1985 Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana Retained South African super-featherweight title
Morake died of head injuries[4]
27 Win 25–1–1 Job Sisanga PTS 8 27 Jul 1985 Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
26 Win 24–1–1 Vincente Jorge TKO 7 (10) 27 Apr 1985 Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
25 Win 23–1–1 Carlos Rodriguez RTD 6 (8) 30 Mar 1985 Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
24 Win 22–1–1 Nyingi Mtya TKO 3 (12) 11 Feb 1985 Vosloorus Civic Centre, Boksburg, South Africa Retained South African super-featherweight title
23 Win 21–1–1 Aladin Stevens PTS 8 1 Dec 1984 Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
22 Win 20–1–1 Nika Khumalo TKO 2 (12) 2 Aug 1984 Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, South Africa Retained South African super-featherweight title
21 Win 19–1–1 Iland Mathews PTS 6 16 Apr 1984 Joekies Ice Rink, Welkom, South Africa
20 Win 18–1–1 Carlos Miguel TKO 4 (10) 31 Mar 1984 Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
19 Win 17–1–1 Jacob Morake UD 12 2 Mar 1984 Kwa-Thema Civic Centre, Springs, South Africa Retained South African super-featherweight title
18 Win 16–1–1 Blessing Ndlela TKO 1 (8) 19 Dec 1983 West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
17 Win 15–1–1 Frank Khonkhobe UD 12 21 Nov 1983 Wembley Sports Pavilion, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained South African super-featherweight title
16 Win 14–1–1 Jacob Morake SD 12 6 Aug 1983 Wembley Sports Pavilion, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained South African super-featherweight title
15 Win 13–1–1 Graham Gola KO 2 (12) 27 Jun 1983 Wembley Sports Pavilion, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained South African super-featherweight title
14 Win 12–1–1 Bashew Sibaca PTS 10 2 May 1983 West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
13 Win 11–1–1 Chris Whiteboy TKO 9 (12) 9 Apr 1983 Oppenheimer Stadium, Orkney, South Africa Won South African super-featherweight title
12 Win 10–1–1 Jerome Gumede PTS 8 14 Mar 1983 West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
11 Win 9–1–1 Frank Khonkhobe SD 10 15 Oct 1982 Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
10 Draw 8–1–1 Frank Khonkhobe PTS 6 30 Jul 1982 Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
9 Win 8–1 Moses Sithebe TKO 5 (6) 26 Jun 1982 Oppenheimer Stadium, Orkney South Africa
8 Win 7–1 Joseph Tsotetsi PTS 6 17 May 1982 Jack Eustace Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
7 Loss 6–1 Jacob Morake UD 10 1 May 1982 Kwa-Thema Civic Centre, Springs, South Africa For Transvaal super-featherweight title
6 Win 6–0 Phanuel Mosoane TKO 2 (6) 6 Feb 1982 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
5 Win 5–0 Moses Mthiyane TKO 4 (6) 30 Nov 1981 West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
4 Win 4–0 Simon Zondo TKO 4 (6) 31 Oct 1981 Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
3 Win 3–0 Tammy Mayisela PTS 4 3 Oct 1981 Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
2 Win 2–0 Bushy Mosoeu PTS 4 19 Sep 1981 Wembley Sports Pavilion, Johannesburg, South Africa
1 Win 1–0 Joseph Moneoane PTS 4 15 Aug 1981 Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa

References

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  1. ^ a b 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".
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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