When the roll of boxing’s super-featherweight greats is taken, Brian Mitchell, the greatest South African boxer of all time, will be there. Mitchell, considered the world’s best boxer in his weight division from 1986 to 1991, held the WBA super-featherweight title from 1986 to 1991, The Ring super-featherweight title from 1986 to 1988, and the IBF super-featherweight title from 1991 to 1992. The former South African super-featherweight champion made 12 title defences on the road and successfully staved off defeat on each occasion. In 2009, Mitchell became the first South African boxer to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements in the sport. The former pugilist defeated such men as Danilo Cabrera, Jim McDonnell, Salvatore Bottigliieri, Jackie Beard, Irving Mitchell, Felipe Orozco, Frankie Mitchell, Tony “Tiger” Lopez, Mike Evgen, Silverio Flores, Francisco Fernandez, Daniel Londas, Aladin Stevens, Bashew Sibaca and Chris Whiteboy.
Mitchell was born on August 30, 1961 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Though a White South African, Mitchell grew up in poverty. His parents split up when he was young and he became a professional boxer at the age of 19 because he had his mother and siblings to support.
Mitchell made his professional debut in August 1981 by defeating Joseph Moneoane by points at Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa. After winning his first fight, Mitchell won his next five fights, making it six wins in a row. In May 1982, Mitchell lost by a unanimous decision to Jacob Morake in his quest to win the Transvaal super-featherweight crown. This would prove to be the only loss of his career and the first of his four fights with Morake. Mitchell bounced back from the loss to Morake by winning his next two fights. He defeated Joseph Tsotetsi by points and scored a technical knockout against Moses Sithebe.
After overcoming Sithebe, Mitchell’s first fight in the trilogy against Frank Khonkhobe ended in a draw on July 30, 1982 at the Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa. Two months later, Mitchell conquered Khonkhobe, winning their second fight by a split decision. In March 1983, Mitchell outpointed Jerome Gumede at West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa. Mitchell won the South African super-featherweight title in April 1983 beating Chris Whiteboy via technical knockout at the Oppenheimer Stadium, Orkney, South Africa. In May 1983, Mitchell outboxed Bashew Sibanca at West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban.
Mitchell retained his South African super-featherweight title beating Graham Gola by knockout and warded off Morake’s challenge at his South African super-featherweight title defeating him by a split decision in their second bout in August 1983.
Between November 1983 to July 1985, Mitchell overpowered Frank Khonkhobe (third fight), Blessing Ndlela, Jacob Morake (third fight), Carlos Miguel, Iland Matthews, Nika Khumalo, Aladin Stevens, Nyingi Mtya, Carlos Rodriguez, Vincente Jorge, and Job Sisinga. In November 1985, Mitchell retained his South African super-featherweight title by defeating Morake, the only boxer to have beaten him in his young career. Morake died of head injuries in the early hours of the morning. This was a tough time in Mitchell’s life as he was thinking of retiring from boxing. But Mitchell pulled himself together and decided to continue to fight when Morake’s mother paid him a visit, absolving him of blame for her son’s death. Mitchell continued his winning streak by beating Julio Pastor Ruiz by knockout in March 1986 and retained his South African super-featherweight title beating Bushy Mosoeu by a unanimous decision. On September 27 1986, Mitchell won the WBA and The Ring super-featherweight title defeating Alfredo Layne by technical knockout at the Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana. Jose Rivera’s attempt to snatch Mitchell’s WBA and The Ring super-featherweight crowns proved abortive as his fight with the South African champion ended in a draw.
In May 1987, Mitchell defeated Aurelio Benitez by technical knockout at the Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa. Mitchell retained his WBA super-featherweight title by scoring a technical knockout against Francisco Fernandez in July 1987 at the Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama. In October 1987, Mitchell fended off Daniel Londas’s challenge by defeating him by a unanimous decision at L’Espace International, Gravelines, France. Again, Mitchell’s WBA super-featherweight was on the line when the South African met Salvatore Curcetti in December 1987 at the Palazzo Dello Sport, Messina, Italy. Mitchell won the fight by a corner stoppage. Eyeing Mitchell’s WBA super-featherweight crown, Jose Rivera, once again stood toe to toe against the South African champion. This time, Mitchell won the fight by a unanimous decision. Mitchell won his next two fights by overcoming Danilo Cabrera of Dominican Republic and the British boxer, Jim McDonnell by a unanimous decision. Mitchell continued the retention of his WBA super-featherweight title by defeating Salvatore Bottiglieri (technical knockout), Jackie Beard (technical decision), Irving Mitchell (technical knockout), Felipe Orazco (split decision), Jackie Beard (unanimous decision) and Frankie Mitchell (unanimous decision).
In March 1991, Mitchell was on his way to Sacramento, USA to face local hero Tony “The Tiger” Lopez in his backyard. The American, undoubtedly the hardest nut to crack in Mitchell’s career managed to draw with the South African boxer. As a result, Mitchell found himself without a world title for the first time since 1986 having being stripped of his WBA crown for facing Lopez. However, the never-say-die Mitchell faced Lopez once again in Sacramento and made sure he defeated the American this time by a unanimous decision, claiming the IBF title in the process. Mitchell retired from boxing after his second fight with Lopez. Like many retired boxers, he came out of retirement to trounce Mike Evgen (corner stoppage) and Silverio Flores (unanimous decision) before he retired permanently from boxing. In all, Mitchell finished his career with 45 wins, a single loss and three draws. During his career, Mitchell successfully defended his super-featherweight title 12 times. This feat was only surpassed by his countryman, Vuyani Bungu, who had 13 successful defences. Mitchell was rated the world’s best super-featherweight boxer from 1986 to his retirement in 1991.
Mitchell is a hero in his native South Africa. While defending his title, Mitchell fought in Puerto Rico, Panama, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and USA. He demonstrated great resilience each time he defended his title, winning his 12 title defences convincingly.
Mitchell never had a shot at the WBC title. His desire to fight Barry McGuigan and Jeff Fenech also never materialized. He was already considering retiring from boxing after beating the undefeated Frankie Mitchell from Philadelphia when he was told that his fight with Lopez would come up. Mitchell jumped at the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Many South Africans consider Mitchell the country’s greatest boxer of all time. No wonder he was named South Africa’s Boxer of the Year five times. In 2006, he was honoured as the South African Boxer of the Century. Today, Mitchell is one of South Africa’s foremost boxing trainers.
References:
- Wainwrigh, A. “BRIAN MITCHELL: GREATEST HITS”. 2023 RING TV LIVE
- Silva, R. “Greatest Super Featherweights In Boxing History: Brian Mitchell”. Fight Game Media, 25 February 2020
- 30 years a champion
- Photo of Golden Gloves Golden Gloves September 27, 2016
Edited by Kehinde Fagbuaro
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