Sharmba Mitchell

Biography

Sharmba "Little Big Man" Mitchell emerged as one of boxing's most skilled technicians during the 1990s and early 2000s, crafting a career marked by sustained excellence and heartbreaking setbacks. Born in Takoma Park, Maryland, the southpaw boxer-puncher built impressive early career momentum that brought him to world championship status.

Mitchell's professional journey began explosively on September 23, 1988, with a third-round knockout of Eddie Colón in Atlantic City. He quickly established himself as a prospect to watch, building a perfect 14-0 record while defeating Olympic bronze medalist Aristides Acevedo and Dana Roston. His first significant test came against former world champion Rafael Limón in 1990, whom he outpointed over eight rounds.

The winning streak continued as Mitchell advanced to 31-0, including victories over former champion Rocky Lockridge and future titlist Miguel Santana. However, 1994 brought his first taste of defeat with back-to-back losses to Leavander Johnson and Stevie Johnston. Rather than derail his career, these setbacks sharpened Mitchell's resolve.

His renaissance included capturing the WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title 1996 and the WBA Fedelatin belt 1997. The crowning achievement came on October 10, 1998, when he outpointed Khalid Rahilou in Paris to claim the WBA light welterweight championship. Mitchell would make four successful defences, including a dramatic recovery from a first-round knockdown against Felix Flores.

The defining chapters of Mitchell's career came in his two bouts with Kostya Tszyu. Their first meeting in 2001 ended controversially when Mitchell's knee injury forced a seventh-round stoppage. The long-awaited 2004 rematch in Phoenix proved more decisive, with Tszyu scoring four knockdowns en route to a third-round knockout.

Mitchell's final career phase saw him face elite opposition, including losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Paul Williams, before retiring with a respectable 57-6 record (30 KOs). His championship ledger includes a 5-2 record in world title fights, though notably without knockout victories at the highest level.

Against former or current world champions, Mitchell compiled a 6-6 (1 KO) record, demonstrating his willingness to face the best while highlighting the exceptional competition he consistently sought. His technical skills and determination made him a formidable champion, even if his career ended without the defining victory his talents might have warranted.