Connect with us

Articles of 2004

Tszyu is a Warrior’s Warrior

Published

on

Kostya Tszyu is back. And could it be that he is better than ever? Sharmba Mitchell is gone. And how could we have ever believed he had a chance in the first place?

The undisputed junior welterweight king, Tszyu had been out of action since an unimpressive Jan. 18, 2003 victory over Jesse James Leija. And he was expected to struggle with old nemesis Mitchell Saturday in Phoenix. After all, Mitchell had provided Tszyu some problems in their first fight on Feb. 3, 2001, though not nearly as many problems as members of the Mitchell camp would have you believe.

Still, if not for a bum knee, it seemed reasonable to suspect that Mitchell's considerable boxing ability, and more importantly his recent activity level, would be too much for Tszyu to overcome.

So what happens? Tszyu goes out and dominates a petrified Mitchell, knocking him out in three easy rounds as if he'd never been away. With the win, Tszyu reestablished himself as the man at 140 pounds.

As for Mitchell, who really cares? After a performance that made Buster Douglas' 1990 effort against Evander Holyfield appear Herculean by comparison, most of us hope the big-fight bust just goes away. Put simply, Mitchell's fear didn't allow him to do the things he needed to do to win. It didn't even allow him to make a competitive fight out of it.

Where was that right jab and that lateral movement that makes punchers like Tszyu crazy? Where was the razor-sharpness that was supposedly the result of a two-and-a-half-year Tszyu preparation course? Where was the guts to execute his gameplan?

All we saw was a constant backward retreat. And a look of terror, as Mitchell appeared scared to the point of paralysis.

The lack of execution, and even the lack of fight, is one thing. But Mitchell's insistence that it was a bum wheel that did him in in the first fight is what made Saturday's result all the more aggravating. But maybe we all should have known better.

The first indication that Mitchell was perhaps out of touch with reality was the actual stoppage of the first fight. He insisted his cornermen stopped it, despite video evidence between rounds that suggested he quit. But he said the knee hurt him, and affected his performance. And a gullible boxing press believed him.

With Mitchell standing directly in Tszyu's punching range, however, Mitchell didn't even give himself a chance, making the fight's winner almost assured. Sure, Tszyu started out fast. But shouldn't MItchell have been prepared for an early, all-out assault from a guy who hadn't fought in almost two years?

What else would you expect?

Yeah, he should've been ready. And he wasn't. He reacted to Tszyu's charges as if making his pro debut. He didn't try to dance to his left, away from Tszyu's deadly right hand. He didn't try to establish his own jab in a way of frustrating Tszyu and gain some distance. All he could do was awkwardly lunge at Tszyu and hold him, which was more of a desperate act of survival than a strategic plan of attack.

It appeared as if the first time Mitchell felt Tszyu's power, he figuratively packed his bags, resigned to the fact that he'd never beat this tank of a man. His expression after the fight wasn't disappointment. It was relief. As if to say, “Thank God that's over with.”

You can bet the Showtime audience wasn't thinking the same thing. Rather than admit to the world that Tszyu was the better man three years ago, Mitchell partook in some strange charade and wasted everybody's time. He insisted on lying to himself, and lying to his fans and public. Truth is, he was pretty much manhandled that first time. He probably had no business getting a rematch. But he sure talked a good game. And it made those of us who thought he actually had a chance want to take up bowling.

As for Tszyu, he is a warrior's warrior. In retrospect, the thought of Mitchell defeating him seems ludicrious. It will take a warrior of Tszyu's ilk to provide the tough Aussie-Russian with any kind of a fight.

So bring on Mayweather. Bring on Gatti. We can look forward to some real fights now that the Mitchell farce is out of the way.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement Ad - Web Hosting from SiteGround - Crafted for easy site management. Click to learn more.
Advertisement Ad - SiteGround Web Hosting - Crafted for easy site management. Amazing Speed; Powerful Tools; Top-rated support. Learn more.

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles6 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles5 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles6 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles7 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Gibbons
Featured Articles3 days ago

From the Boondocks to the Big Time, The Wild Saga of Manny Pacquiao’s Sidekick Sean Gibbons

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

From-HEALING-to-Hate-Muhammad-Ali-Fred-Levin-and-Florida
Featured Articles1 day ago

The Hauser Report: From HEALING to Hate — Muhammad Ali, Fred Levin, and Florida

Gibbons
Featured Articles3 days ago

From the Boondocks to the Big Time, The Wild Saga of Manny Pacquiao’s Sidekick Sean Gibbons

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles5 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles6 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles6 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles7 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending