Mitchell to enter Boxing Hall of Fame
Brad Morgan
12 December 2008
Brian Mitchell's case for being the greatest South African boxer of all time received a big endorsement on Tuesday when it was announced that he has been elected to enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame, making him the first South African boxer to receive the honour.
In June 2009 Mitchell will become the second South African, after referee Stan Christodoulou, who was inducted in 2004, to enter the Hall of Fame.
Mitchell's election was celebrated this week with a function hosted by Golden Gloves Promotions, who were his promoters throughout his career.
'A very proud man'
Interviewed on radio station SAfm, Mitchell, with a mild measure of happy disbelief, said he was "a very proud man".
The former WBA and IBF junior lightweight champion said the honour was the highest one that he had achieved in his life.
Reflecting on what it meant him, Mitchell explained that his hero was Sugar Ray Leonard; now he will share the same stage with him. He also mentioned men such as Joe Louis and Muhammed Ali, and laughed: "Not bad for a boy from Malvern."
Told he belonged
Mitchell said that often in recent years, when he went overseas, he was told that he belonged in the Hall of Fame. However, the years ticked by and his hope that the Hall might one day beckon wavered a little, until …
Mitchell was well known overseas because he fought all but one of his world title fights abroad, due to sanctions against apartheid South Africa. In fact, his only world title bout on home soil was the fight in which he won the WBA title, when he beat Alfredo Layne at Sun City in 1991.
Asked to select a career highlight, Mitchell pointed to his victory over Tony "The Tiger" Lopez - who became a three-time world champion - in the American's home town of Sacramento, California.
Unanimous decision
The pair had previously fought to a controversial draw in Sacramento – a home town decision that was widely derided. The second time around, the judges were unanimous in awarding Mitchell the win; they had little other choice. The victory was clear-cut.
Mitchell's career record was 46 wins, one loss and two draws. He successfully defended his WBA junior lightweight title 12 times. When he beat Lopez to win the IBF title, he was stripped of the WBA crown.
He was a world champion from 1986 to 1991.
Characteristics
Mitchell was always in superb physical condition, a busy fighter, constantly on the move, who threw lots of punches. Just over half of his world title fights went the distance. His success in earning those decisions is testament to his fine conditioning and skill.
Fourteen men will enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009. Among those joining Mitchell in Canastota, New York will be former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, who once defended his title in South Africa when he was beaten in a shock result by Hasim Rahman.
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