However, wait a minute. Is there hope in Atlantic City ?
On April 28, Chazz Witherspoon (30-2, 22 KOs) and Seth “Mayham” Mitchell (24-0, 18 KOs ) will attempt to bring the fire back to the heavyweights. Mitchell, 29, is a former college football player from Michigan . He‘s a poster child for the axiom, speak softly and carry a big stick. His punches have produced 18 big knockouts. The fact that Mitchell began to box only four years ago is a testament to his athletic ability. He’s strong and aggressive with power in both hands. His second round destruction of European Timur Ibrigmov raised some eyebrows.
The result even surprised Mitchell.
“I didn’t expect to run through him in two rounds,” Mitchell told me a few months ago. “I thought it was going to take about seven or eight rounds. With my size, speed and power, I thought I’d wear him down and get him out of there.”
Witherspoon, 30, is nicknamed “The Gentleman.” The name fits the Philadelphia native (excuse the pun) like a glove. Trainer Virgil Hunter, who began working with Witherspoon five weeks ago, has found many positives in his latest charge.
"Chazz is intelligent. He doesn’t leave it in the gym, “said Hunter. “He takes what he learns and analyzes it," Hunter said. "It’s a pleasure working with him because everything makes sense."
Mitchell’s longest bout was an eight-rounder with Zack Page in 2009. His power has produced nine first-round knockouts. He’s aware of Witherspoon’s boxing ability.
“I think he does everything well, “Mitchell said to DoghouseBoxing’s own Benny Henderson Jr. “He has a good jab, he can box and throws in combination. Chazz is going to come to fight.”
Witherspoon can box, but his defense looked suspect in his losing effort against Chris Arreola.
“When I got in there with Arreola, he pulled me into his fight, “said Witherspoon. “He hits hard and I’d never been hurt in a fight.”
Mitchell hits hard too. The addition of defensive genius Virgil Hunter (see Andre Ward) could be very beneficial if Witherspoon can get the fight into the later rounds.
“Just get me past the fifth round,” Hunter recently said. “And Chazz will win the fight.”
The big unknown is whether Witherspoon can keep Mitchell at bay and box. Mitchell will be applying some intense pressure. His puncher power could be the great equalizer.
“I don't want my knockout streak to stop," said Mitchell in a recent interview.
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