Sharmba Mitchell
# Sharmba Mitchell

Sharmba David Mitchell (/ˈʃɑːrmbeɪ/ SHARM-bay; born August 27, 1970) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2006. He held the WBA light welterweight title from 1998 to 2001, and the IBF interim light welterweight title in 2004.

## Professional career

Mitchell began his professional boxing career on September 23, 1988, knocking out Eddie Colón in three rounds at Atlantic City, New Jersey.

He had a mark of 14 wins and no losses with seven knockouts - including victories over former Olympic Games bronze medalist Aristides Acevedo and over Dana Roston - when he met a former or future world champion for the first time inside a ring. On March 8, 1990, he beat the famed former world champion Rafael Limón in Atlantic City by an eight-round unanimous decision.

Mitchell kept on winning, running his record up to 27-0 with sixteen knockouts, including a victory against former world title challenger Miguel Santana. He then fought former world champion Rocky Lockridge on April 22, 1992, winning a ten-round unanimous decision.

Mitchell had recorded a 31-0 record until he lost two fights in a row to begin 1994: one against future world champion Leavander Johnson in eight rounds, then to future two-time world lightweight champion Stevie Johnston in nine rounds. He did not lose another fight in the next seven years.

After six more wins in a row, including one over future world champion Terron Millett, Mitchell fought for the WBC continental Americas light welterweight title in Dallas, Texas on April 11, 1996. He won the title by knocking out Gilberto Floes in the second round.

On May 10, 1997, Mitchell defeated Jose Rafael Barboza by a twelve-round decision in Miami, Florida to win the WBA's Fedelatin belt in the same weight division. After two more victories, he got his first chance at winning a world title.

### WBA light welterweight champion

On October 10, 1998, he beat Moroccan Khalid Rahilou by a twelve-round unanimous decision in Paris, France, becoming the WBA light welterweight champion.

Mitchell retained his world title four times, his last successful defense being against Puerto Rican Felix Flores on September 16, 2000, at Las Vegas. Mitchell was dropped in the first round, but he recovered and edged the challenger by two scores of 116-111 and one of 116-113.

### First fight with Tszyu

After that fight, demand rose for a unification title bout between Mitchell and Kostya Tszyu of Australia, the WBC light welterweight champion.

The highly anticipated match took place in Las Vegas on February 3, 2001. The outcome was controversial, as Mitchell broke his knee early in the fight and he could not continue after round seven. Although Mitchell was not knocked out in a conventional way, this nevertheless counted as a knockout loss in his record.

Mitchell then fought eight bouts, winning each of them, including victories over former world champion Vince Phillips and winning the IBF super lightweight title against Lovemore N'Dou in Atlantic City New Jersey. Defending that title ounce in Manchester England. He also beat and became and the first person to have knocked down Ben Tackie.

### Rematch with Tszyu

Negotiations for a rematch with Tszyu had been taking place long before the fights with the aforementioned rivals. Tszyu, however, had his own health problems, and the fight kept being cancelled. First scheduled for Australia and then for Moscow, the rematch finally took place on November 6, 2004, in Phoenix, Arizona. Mitchell was floored four times in the second bout with Tszyu before being stopped in round three, losing by knockout.

### Losses to Mayweather and Williams

On November 19, 2005, Mitchell was defeated by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their 147-lbs. non-title bout in Portland, Oregon. Mayweather dropped Mitchell in the third round with a straight right hand to the head, and again dropped him in the sixth with a hook to the body, ending the fight. During his most recent bout - against Paul Williams in Reno, Nevada, on August 19, 2006 - Mitchell was knocked down in the third round, and three times in the fourth round. Referee Richard Steele stopped the bout at 2:57 when Mitchell arose wobbly from the final knockdown. Mitchell retired for good shortly thereafter.

Mitchell finished his professional boxing career of 57 wins and 6 losses, with 30 knockout wins.

## Professional boxing record

| 63 fights | 57 wins | 6 losses |
| - | - | - |
| By knockout | 30 | 6 |
| By decision | 27 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 63 | Loss | 57–6 | Paul Williams | KO | 4 (12), 2:57 | Aug 19, 2006 | Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | For WBC–USNBC and WBO–NABO welterweight titles |
| 62 | Win | 57–5 | Jose Luis Cruz | UD | 10 | May 3, 2006 | Big League Dreams, Cathedral City, California, U.S. | |
| 61 | Loss | 56–5 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | TKO | 6 (12), 2:06 | Nov 19, 2005 | Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon, U.S. | |
| 60 | Win | 56–4 | Chris Smith | TD | 5 (12), 0:16 | Jun 11, 2005 | MCI Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. | Won WBA–NABA welterweight title; Unanimous TD after Mitchell was cut from an accidental head clash |
| 59 | Loss | 55–4 | Kostya Tszyu | TKO | 3 (12), 2:48 | Nov 6, 2004 | Glendale Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | For IBF and The Ring light welterweight titles |
| 58 | Win | 55–3 | Moises Pedroza | KO | 2 (10), 2:55 | Aug 7, 2004 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 57 | Win | 54–3 | Michael Stewart | UD | 12 | Apr 3, 2004 | MEN Arena, Manchester, England | Retained IBF interim light welterweight title |
| 56 | Win | 53–3 | Lovemore N'dou | UD | 12 | Feb 7, 2004 | Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Won vacant IBF interim light welterweight title |
| 55 | Win | 52–3 | Ben Tackie | UD | 12 | May 17, 2003 | City Center Pavilion, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 51–3 | Carlos Vilches | TKO | 4 (12), 2:58 | Jan 25, 2003 | Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 50–3 | Vince Phillips | MD | 10 | Nov 9, 2002 | Coca-Cola Bricktown Events Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. | |
| 52 | Win | 49–3 | Frank Houghtaling | UD | 10 | Jul 2, 2002 | Lincoln Theatre, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 51 | Win | 48–3 | Bernard Harris | UD | 10 | Mar 28, 2002 | DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 50 | Loss | 47–3 | Kostya Tszyu | RTD | 7 (12), 3:00 | Feb 3, 2001 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBA light welterweight title; For WBC light welterweight title |
| 49 | Win | 47–2 | Felix Flores | UD | 12 | Sep 16, 2000 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBA light welterweight title |
| 48 | Win | 46–2 | Elio Ortiz | UD | 12 | Nov 13, 1999 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBA light welterweight title |
| 47 | Win | 45–2 | Reggie Green | MD | 12 | Apr 24, 1999 | MCI Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. | Retained WBA light welterweight title |
| 46 | Win | 44–2 | Pedro Saiz | UD | 12 | Feb 6, 1999 | Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. | Retained WBA light welterweight title |
| 45 | Win | 43–2 | Khalid Rahilou | UD | 12 | Oct 10, 1998 | Palais Omnisports, Paris, France | Won WBA light welterweight title |
| 44 | Win | 42–2 | Bobby Elkins | TKO | 1 (10), 2:10 | Feb 21, 1998 | Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 41–2 | Dezi Ford | KO | 5 | Jul 15, 1997 | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 40–2 | Jose Rafael Barboza | PTS | 12 | May 10, 1997 | Coconut Grove Convention Center, Miami, Florida, U.S. | Won vacant WBA Fedelatin light welterweight title |
| 41 | Win | 39–2 | John Stewart | KO | 1 | Oct 19, 1996 | Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 38–2 | Gilberto Flores | KO | 2 (12), 1:06 | Apr 11, 1996 | Dallas, Texas, U.S. | Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title |
| 39 | Win | 37–2 | Harold Bennett | TKO | 1 (8), 1:40 | Feb 10, 1996 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 36–2 | Allen Osborne | TKO | 2 | Dec 7, 1995 | Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 35–2 | James Gatlin | TKO | 5 | Nov 21, 1995 | Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 34–2 | Terron Millett | TKO | 1 (8), 2:38 | Sep 16, 1995 | The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 33–2 | Wayne Boudreaux | TKO | 5 | Mar 23, 1995 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 32–2 | Lyndon Walker | KO | 2 | Oct 22, 1994 | Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 33 | Loss | 31–2 | Stevie Johnston | TKO | 9 (10), 1:02 | Jun 21, 1994 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 32 | Loss | 31–1 | Leavander Johnson | KO | 8 (12), 1:33 | Mar 18, 1994 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost NABF lightweight title |
| 31 | Win | 31–0 | Chad Broussard | TKO | 1 (12), 2:25 | Nov 6, 1993 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won vacant NABF lightweight title |
| 30 | Win | 30–0 | Kenny Baysmore | KO | 1 (10), 1:44 | May 22, 1993 | Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Eric Whitfield | TKO | 2 (10), 2:55 | Nov 29, 1992 | Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 28–0 | Rocky Lockridge | UD | 10 | Apr 22, 1992 | Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Gilberto Flores | TKO | 5 (10), 1:46 | Feb 15, 1992 | The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Leo Martinez | TKO | 1 | Jan 14, 1992 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Keeley Thompson | TKO | 10 (12), 0:38 | Oct 29, 1991 | Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Miguel Santana | TKO | 3 | Jul 23, 1991 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Darryl Richardson | KO | 2 (10), 2:10 | Apr 10, 1991 | La Fontaine Bleue, Lanham, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Felix Gonzales | TKO | 5 (10), 2:36 | Mar 19, 1991 | High School, Woodbridge, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Kevin Marston | UD | 10 | Jan 16, 1991 | La Fontaine Bleue, Lanham, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Robert Byrd | RTD | 7 (10), 3:00 | Nov 1, 1990 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Rodney Fennell | PTS | 6 | Sep 7, 1990 | UDC Physical Activities Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Freddie Sevilla | TKO | 5 (10) | Jul 20, 1990 | The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Eric Podolak | TKO | 5 (10) | Jul 3, 1990 | Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Nigel Wenton | UD | 8 | Apr 29, 1990 | Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Billy Young | UD | 10 | Apr 3, 1990 | The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Rafael Limón | UD | 8 | Mar 3, 1990 | Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Bobby Brewer | UD | 8 | Feb 1, 1990 | Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Dana Roston | TKO | 1 (8), 1:10 | Jan 11, 1990 | Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Joseph Alexander | UD | 8 | Nov 16, 1989 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Juan Torres | TKO | 3 | Oct 26, 1989 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Aristides Acevedo | UD | 8 | Sep 21, 1989 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Perry McQueen | KO | 1 | Aug 16, 1989 | Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Javier Chavez | RTD | 2 (4), 3:00 | May 23, 1989 | Showboat Hotel Casino and Bowling Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Verrol Liverpool | PTS | 6 | Apr 27, 1989 | D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Thomas Baker | UD | 6 | Mar 23, 1989 | National Guard Armory, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Craig Wills | UD | 4 | Jan 15, 1989 | Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Willie Rivera | UD | 4 | Nov 22, 1988 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Randy Kearse | TKO | 2 | Oct 11, 1988 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Eddie Colon | TKO | 3 | Sep 23, 1988 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Professional debut |

## Awards

* 2011: Washington D.C. Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2012: Maryland Sports Hall of Fame inductee
