Undefeated heavyweight boxer Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell and powerful puncher Chazz "The Gentleman" Witherspoon are ready to continue demonstrating that the concept of the great American heavyweight is alive and well, when they meet on Saturday, April 28 in a 10-round bout in Atlantic City, New Jersey. HBO World Championship Boxing will televise the fight live.
For both of these college graduates, the upcoming battle will not only represent regional bragging rights -- it will be the biggest fight of their careers. Each boxer is hoping that the fight will move them a step closer to contending for the heavyweight title.
"I am excited for the opportunity to fight a contender like Witherspoon," said Mitchell, a D.C. native. "I think our experience in the ring makes this a good match. Defeating Chazz will be a challenge, but I will work hard and prepare for anything. I know my fans will come out to support me with everything and they won't be disappointed."
Witherspoon said his opponent couldn't afford to take him lightly.
"This will be a great night for both of us, but I'll be the one to go out with his hand raised at the end of the fight," said Witherspoon. The Philadelphia, Pa., area native is the cousin of former heavyweight Tim Witherspoon, and 22 of his 30 victories have come by knockout. In addition, Witherspoon has won seven of his last eight fights -- including knockouts of Adam Richards and Livin Castillo.
A former Michigan State linebacker, who began boxing when a knee injury cut short his plans to become a pro football player, Mitchell became a professional boxer in 2008. In 2011, he rang up three knockouts, including Charles Davis, Quinn Evans and Hector Ferreyo, and in December of that same year, Mitchell posted a devastating knockout of Timur Ibragimov. That victory marked the first time Ibragimov, a native of Uzbekistan, had been knocked out.
Now, at age 29, Mitchell is widely regarded as the most prominent American heavyweight. He has given American fight fans a reason to be excited about the heavyweight division, and while Mitchell is enjoying a stellar career, his ultimate goal is to become heavyweight champion of the world.
