Tszyu vs. Mitchell II
Encyclopedia
Tszyu vs. Mitchell II was a boxing
fight that took place on November 6, 2004 at the Glendale Arena
, in Glendale, Arizona
. It pitted world Jr. Welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu versus former world champion Sharmba Mitchell
. Because of the peculiar circumstances of how their first fight ended, a rematch was necessary. The rematch was, in fact, nicknamed "Unfinished Business".
world champion and Mitchell as the WBA
world champion. They fought to unify those belts. The first fight was held in Las Vegas, Nevada
.
The fight was fought at close quarters, but there was also some rough tactics used by both boxers. Tszyu pushed Mitchell to the canvas four times. Whether the pushes were accidental or not was never known, but Mitchell injured his knee
and declared himself unable to fight on during the seventh round, giving Tszyu an unlikely type of knockout.
Likewise, fans were split as to whom was winning the first fight between the co-champions: while Tszyu fans generally had him ahead, Mitchell fans felt Mitchell was winning it until the point when he could go on no longer.
next, on February 2003, by a twelve round unanimous decision, to retain the unified belts.
Initially to be fought in Late 2003 in Sydney, Australia, the Tszyu-Mitchell rematch had to be postponed because Tszyu injured his wrist
during training
.
It was then rescheduled, to be fought during the summer of 2004, in Moscow, Russia. But Tszyu re-injured his wrist, forcing a second postponement. These two injuries caused Tszyu to be inactive for a total of twenty two months. That and the fact that Mitchell's knee had also naturally become weaker after his own injury, made many fans question the ability of both fighters to put on a good show in their rematch.
The IBF
, perhaps tired of waiting for Tszyu to defend the belts, named Mitchell their "interim champion". After further negotiations, it was agreed the fight should be held in Glendale, Arizona, where the Glendale Arena was relatively new and needed some big name events to be held there.
attended the fight, as well as former world Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson
and Jr. Welterweight contender and interim WBA Jr. Welterweight champion Vivian Harris
.
and Joan Guzmán
, as well as contenders Jermaine Woods
and Jonathan Ochoa registering victories before the main event.
it. A second one would have been burnt; security promptly arrived and removed the fans from the arena, but not before they threw the second flag for other fans to get it. These other fans proceeded to stomp on the flag. The reasons for protesting using a Russian flag during the Tszyu fight are not totally clear: though Tszyu is Russian by birth, he has long since renounced his Russian citizenship; Australia is Tszyu's new homeland.
in the United States by Showtime, while, in Australia and Europe, it was shown on Pay Per View. The fight's referee was Raul Caiz, Sr..
Both fighters rushed out of their corners for round one. Tszyu was somewhat slower; he might have been trying to shake off some rust after not fighting for the aforementioned twenty two months. Mitchell landed some heavy rights to Tszyu's chin, while the champion looked calm and composed. Mitchell outlanded Tszyu in this round. An important point of the fight was when both boxers clashed their head
s before round one was finished, and Tszyu came out with a cut around his left eye.
Perhaps afraid that the fight would be stopped because of the cut and declared a technical draw
, Tszyu came out of his corner for round two like if he had a feeling of urgency. Midway towards the round, he landed a right to Mitchell's chin that staggered the former world champion. Mitchell then retreated to the ropes, near his own corner. Tszyu followed with a flurry of punches, and Mitchell fell from an uppercut. He fell near the ropes, almost the same way that Sugar Ray Leonard
had dropped Thomas Hearns
in round thirteen of their 1981 fight.
Mitchell, visibly awakened, got up and continued fighting. Towards the end of the round, he landed a right to Tszyu's chin that made Tsyu's head snap back.
Soon after round three began, Tszyu connected with a right hand to the chin that sent Mitchell to the canvas for the second time; he landed on a sitting position. Mitchell again rose, but Tszyu stayed over him, driving him to the ropes and landing blows to Mitchell's body before Mitchell suffered his second knockdown of the round and third of the fight.
Once again, Mitchell rose, but he was trapped against the ropes. After another quick combination of blows to the body, Mitchell fell again, and referee Cadiz, Sr. proceeded to stop the fight.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
fight that took place on November 6, 2004 at the Glendale Arena
Glendale Arena
Jobing.com Arena is a sports and entertainment arena in Glendale, Arizona. It is located 12½ miles northwest of downtown Phoenix....
, in Glendale, Arizona
Glendale, Arizona
Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, located about nine miles northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 226,721....
. It pitted world Jr. Welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu versus former world champion Sharmba Mitchell
Sharmba Mitchell
Sharmba David Mitchell , known professionally as Sharmba Mitchell, is a boxer who was WBA light welterweight champion.Mitchell, nicknamed "Little Big Man", is a native of Takoma Park, Maryland, but a resident of Washington, D.C.....
. Because of the peculiar circumstances of how their first fight ended, a rematch was necessary. The rematch was, in fact, nicknamed "Unfinished Business".
Their first fight
Tszyu and Mitchell met for the first time on November 2, 2002, with Tszyu as the WBCWorld Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
world champion and Mitchell as the WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
world champion. They fought to unify those belts. The first fight was held in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
.
The fight was fought at close quarters, but there was also some rough tactics used by both boxers. Tszyu pushed Mitchell to the canvas four times. Whether the pushes were accidental or not was never known, but Mitchell injured his knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
and declared himself unable to fight on during the seventh round, giving Tszyu an unlikely type of knockout.
Critics and fan reaction to first fight
One of the reasons that both Tszyu and Mitchell felt a rematch, apart from the fact that Mitchell claimed for three years after their first encounter that he was on his way to a win, was necessary was that most boxing magazine writers and fans alike felt that the first fight's result was inconclusive.Likewise, fans were split as to whom was winning the first fight between the co-champions: while Tszyu fans generally had him ahead, Mitchell fans felt Mitchell was winning it until the point when he could go on no longer.
Problems to make the rematch happen
Tszyu defeated Ben TackieBen Tackie
Benjamin Wonder Tackie, , is a professional boxer. Tackie is known for his chin and his ability to throw a high volume of punches. All of his losses have come via decision.-Professional career:...
next, on February 2003, by a twelve round unanimous decision, to retain the unified belts.
Initially to be fought in Late 2003 in Sydney, Australia, the Tszyu-Mitchell rematch had to be postponed because Tszyu injured his wrist
Wrist
In human anatomy, the wrist is variously defined as 1) the carpus or carpal bones, the complex of eight bones forming the proximal skeletal segment of the hand;...
during training
Boxing training
Boxing training is the training method that boxers use in order to get more fit for their sport. This training method is often cited by medical doctors, boxing trainers, and writers as one of the most spartan forms of sports training.- Training :...
.
It was then rescheduled, to be fought during the summer of 2004, in Moscow, Russia. But Tszyu re-injured his wrist, forcing a second postponement. These two injuries caused Tszyu to be inactive for a total of twenty two months. That and the fact that Mitchell's knee had also naturally become weaker after his own injury, made many fans question the ability of both fighters to put on a good show in their rematch.
The IBF
International Boxing Federation
The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
, perhaps tired of waiting for Tszyu to defend the belts, named Mitchell their "interim champion". After further negotiations, it was agreed the fight should be held in Glendale, Arizona, where the Glendale Arena was relatively new and needed some big name events to be held there.
Celebrities
Sylvester StalloneSylvester Stallone
Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone , commonly known as Sylvester Stallone, and nicknamed Sly Stallone, is an American actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, film director and occasional painter. Stallone is known for his machismo and Hollywood action roles. Two of the notable characters he has portrayed...
attended the fight, as well as former world Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson
Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is a retired American boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old...
and Jr. Welterweight contender and interim WBA Jr. Welterweight champion Vivian Harris
Vivian Harris
"Vicious" Vivian Harris is a Guyanese professional boxer who was born in Georgetown, Guyana and now resides in Brooklyn, New York...
.
The undercard
The fight's undercard was filled with star boxers, with former world champions Yori Boy CampasYori Boy Campas
Luis Ramón Campas is a Mexican boxer who was the IBF light middleweight champion. He is better known as Yory Boy Campas.-Background:...
and Joan Guzmán
Joan Guzman
Joan Guzmán is a Dominican professional boxer who was the WBO's super bantamweight and super featherweight champion. His nickname is "The Little Tyson"." Guzmán is now trained by Former World Champion Roberto Garcia. Former unheralded boxer Floyd Mayweather, Sr...
, as well as contenders Jermaine Woods
Jermaine Woods
Raynon Blackshire , better known as Jermaine Woods, is a Heavyweight boxer from Phoenix, Arizona, who has been described by many writers, including The Arizona Republic sports beat writers, as "the next Mike Tyson"...
and Jonathan Ochoa registering victories before the main event.
Flag incidents
Just before the boxers entered the ring for the main event, two fans brought out two Russian flags. They lighted one, burningFire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
it. A second one would have been burnt; security promptly arrived and removed the fans from the arena, but not before they threw the second flag for other fans to get it. These other fans proceeded to stomp on the flag. The reasons for protesting using a Russian flag during the Tszyu fight are not totally clear: though Tszyu is Russian by birth, he has long since renounced his Russian citizenship; Australia is Tszyu's new homeland.
The fight
The Tszyu-Mitchell rematch was televisedTelevision
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
in the United States by Showtime, while, in Australia and Europe, it was shown on Pay Per View. The fight's referee was Raul Caiz, Sr..
Both fighters rushed out of their corners for round one. Tszyu was somewhat slower; he might have been trying to shake off some rust after not fighting for the aforementioned twenty two months. Mitchell landed some heavy rights to Tszyu's chin, while the champion looked calm and composed. Mitchell outlanded Tszyu in this round. An important point of the fight was when both boxers clashed their head
Human head
In human anatomy, the head is the upper portion of the human body. It supports the face and is maintained by the skull, which itself encloses the brain.-Cultural importance:...
s before round one was finished, and Tszyu came out with a cut around his left eye.
Perhaps afraid that the fight would be stopped because of the cut and declared a technical draw
Technical decision
A technical decision is a term used in boxing when a fight has to be stopped because of a headbutt.In boxing fights, referees have to pay deep attention to the action going on between the fighters, especially when the two combatants are fighting close to each other...
, Tszyu came out of his corner for round two like if he had a feeling of urgency. Midway towards the round, he landed a right to Mitchell's chin that staggered the former world champion. Mitchell then retreated to the ropes, near his own corner. Tszyu followed with a flurry of punches, and Mitchell fell from an uppercut. He fell near the ropes, almost the same way that Sugar Ray Leonard
Sugar Ray Leonard
Sugar Ray Leonard is an American retired professional boxer and occasional actor. He was named Ray Charles Leonard, after his mother's favorite singer, Ray Charles...
had dropped Thomas Hearns
Thomas Hearns
Thomas "Hitman" Hearns is a retired American boxer. Nicknamed the "Motor City Cobra" and more famously "The Hitman", Hearns became the first boxer in history to win world titles in four divisions. He would also become the first fighter in history to win five world titles in five different divisions...
in round thirteen of their 1981 fight.
Mitchell, visibly awakened, got up and continued fighting. Towards the end of the round, he landed a right to Tszyu's chin that made Tsyu's head snap back.
Soon after round three began, Tszyu connected with a right hand to the chin that sent Mitchell to the canvas for the second time; he landed on a sitting position. Mitchell again rose, but Tszyu stayed over him, driving him to the ropes and landing blows to Mitchell's body before Mitchell suffered his second knockdown of the round and third of the fight.
Once again, Mitchell rose, but he was trapped against the ropes. After another quick combination of blows to the body, Mitchell fell again, and referee Cadiz, Sr. proceeded to stop the fight.