41 year old Vitali vs current (prime) Seth Mitchell

I voted Vitali by ko. Here is why. Mitchell is good prospect, but with out any doubt, needs to improve. His one big flaw, and biggest reason i picked against him, is he does not know how to avoid a right hand at all. He is right there for it. As of last fight (with Witherspoon) he is just there for it. I very rarely say a trainer is at fault, but he needs to learn that just holding hand high does not protect you if your head is in the ****ing way.
With that flaw removed, he makes big jump up to top contender level. I admire way he held self together and came back against Witherspoon, so the heart and ability are there.

 

Easy knockout for Vitali!!!!!!!

 

Even though Vitali is old now, I haven't seen him in trouble since the Lennox fight.
So I go with Vitali by KO. Mitchel is the type of opponent that suits Vitali.

 

I don't see Mitchell beating Vitali even in 2 years.

Yes, Vitali has slowed down, but he'll always have his skills.

People seem to think Seth will "be ready" in 2 years. I don't. I think his skill level has mostly topped-off at this point. If Seth hasn't learned even a SHRED of defense by now, what makes anyone think he'll suddenly become a real boxer by the time he's say, 32? The guy is at an age where change does not often happen, and he's looked pretty much the same in his last three fights.

I like Seth Mitchell, really I do, but I don't think he could even beat David Haye, right now.
In 2 years? He'll be the same fighter he is now, only slower.

 

I wouldn't write Mitchell off.

I've yet to see the Witherspoon fight, and definitely agree that his defence has gaps in it, especially to the right hand, but Vitali has slowed down a lot.
He hasn't been tested in years, and although he won convincingly against Chisora, Chisora had his moments.
In my book, Chisora is not a good fighter, nor does he have the punch to instill any sort of doubt or wariness in Klitshcko. Vitali's right hand is still hard, but it seems to lack the power it used to have.

If nothing else, Mitchell is a big, strong and young guy who likes to throw a lot of leather. He's not content to wait inside for the ref to break a clinch.

Vitali is getting old, and it's showing visibly in his fights now. Youth at some point must be served.
Whether Mitchell is the man to do it is anyone's guess, and certainly were I to pick him, it would not be a confident pick.
But to write him off altogether is a mistake, imo.