Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell

This undefeated U.S. prospect is taking a slight step up against Taurus Sykes on the non-TV portion of HBO's Khan-Maidana/Ortiz-Peterson card. Sykes has sprung a few upsets before, and will provide an opportunity to measure up against names like Owen Beck, Friday Ahunanya, Sam Peter, Hasim Rahman, and Sasha Povetkin. A big KO win here (especially if in quick fashion) could attract some attention and maybe free Mayhem from the not-ready-for-primetime doldrums.

In an interview earlier this year regarding the heavyweight scene, Phil Anselmo (Pantera and Down vocalist and hardcore boxing fan, whose boxing DVD collection probably dwarfs Max Kellerman's) was asked if there are any American talents in the pipeline and although he was pessimistic he said the one name worth mentioning was Seth Mitchell's. He went on to say that "the kid has solid fundamentals, and is young enough that he can still learn...but he will likely never be amongst the elite..."

It seems to me that any Americans that have griped over a lack of quality heavyweight domestic products should at least have mild interest in this young man who at least comes to the ring in shape and knows how to execute basic textbook punches. Yes, there's reason to be jaded with the likes of Kevin Johnson, Chris Arreola, and so many others turning up bust...but why disregard any one individual until they give you a reason to do so? There is nothing apparent as of yet to lead one to pronounce Mitchell an American hope per se - but certainly he should be looked upon as an American curiosity, and one to watch.

Here's a look at his two English-language TV appearances to date (both on FNF):

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(Watch Carthron just as he goes down...it seems Mitchell knocked him literally cross-eyed :blood)

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There's not a whole lot to go on there, since neither lasted very long...but it would appear Anselmo was more or less correct. There is a flicker of promise there, but not glittering and by no means blinding. Sure, there are things to nitpick as with anyone earlier in their development - but please refrain from comments such as "He's a bum!" as they contribute positively to neither productive conversation nor a reflection on you as someone who's halfway intelligent. Thank you kindly in advance.

Who has either seen some more of Mitchell in action, or can shed some light on his training regimen or amateur career (which can't have lasted more than two years between his exit from college football and his pro debut)?

 

If this was a Deontay Wilder thread it would be on page 4 by now. :yep

 

Those are all valid points, but he's only a year and a half older than Robert Helenius and has slightly more ring experience (albeit at a lower level)...and is certainly no slower.

FFS, look at how old (and slow!) Tony Thompson is! :yep

If he gets himself on a nice year-long run after Sykes that's equivalent to Bidenko/Oloukun/Tony/Levin he could get himself poised for contention as Helenius is now.

Of course, like Phil said he will probably never hang with the elite (and neither will Helenius, IMO).