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Eric Mitchell Interview: Absolutely I Will Beat Harry Yorgey
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
Eric Mitchell is a tough veteran. Mitchell believes when he comes to fight the main event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2014, after six rounds he will be the winner. At least one area boxing promoter, Marshall Kauffman, whose fighter Elvin Ayala barely won an eight round decision over Mitchell in a WBC regional bout at Foxwoods Resort in 2012, felt Mitchell had a legitimate chance of beating Yorgey. Since Yorgey has been inactive for a year, the outcome of Yorgey versus Mitchell will depend on which version of Harry Joe Yorgey, and which version of Eric Mitchell, shows up to fight.
Mitchell’s record includes a first round knockout of current light middleweight contender Alejandro Berrio, an eight round stoppage win over Fearless Fernando Hernandez, and a ten round split decision win over Derrick Findley, a durable opponent who proposed but who Yorgey turned down for this bout.
Real Combat Media: “Eric, can you beat Harry Joe Yorgey?”
Eric Mitchell: “Absolutely!”
Real Combat Media: “You have a lot of experience. Do you think that counts against Yorgey?”
Eric Mitchell: “We both have a lot of experience. We’ll both have to get in there (the ring) and see (what happens).”
Real Combat Media: “Eric, you beat Derrick Findley. Harry tuned that fight down.”
Eric Mitchell: “I’d like to fight Findley again. Derrick comes to fight. Derrick Findley would be a good fight for Harry.”
Real Combat Media: You are from Philadelphia. You fought in Pennsylvania nine times, but not since March 2003. You have fought everywhere from Canada to Mexico to Russia. How does it feel to come home and fight in Pennsylvania again in the twilight of your career?”
Eric Mitchell: “I feel very good about fighting in Pennsylvania again. I feel like I am fighting at home, close to home, and I can bring a lot of fans to my fight with Yorgey, and help support the event.”
Real Combat Media: “Eric, this is a high stakes opportunity fight for you, and a risk fight for Harry. You seem sure of yourself. How will you beat Harry?”
Eric Mitchell: “I will beat Harry with my jab, my hand speed, my sharpness, and my punching accuracy. We’re about the same height and same weight. Harry’s going to have to deal with my hand speed.”
Real Combat Media: “In 2003, you knocked out current super middleweight contender Alejandro Berrio Columbia in the first round in the Spectrum in Philadelphia. How is your ability today versus yesterday?”
Eric Mitchell: I think I am better today than I was then.”
Real Combat Media: “Besides defeating Findley, your recent fights against the likes of
Yop coptender big names such as Danny Perez (a USBA and WBO NABO 10 round bout loss), Joachim Alcine (a disqualification loss in 11), Jorge Melendez (a 10 round WBO regional bout loss), Elvin Ayala (an eight round WBC USNBC loss), Dmitriy Pirog (a WBO Asia Pacific fifth round stoppage loss) and others have yielded mixed results. How do you account for this?”
Eric Mitchell: “I’ve been taking a lot of last minute fights, short notice fights.”
Real Combat Media: “How have your preparations gone for fighting Yorgey?”
Eric Mitchell: “I have prepared for this fight (have been in the gym). Thank God, I have been in the gym for a month.”
Real Combat Media: “So you feel confident you can beat Harry Yorgey?”
Eric Mitchell: “Yes. My sparring is good, and I am in pretty good shape. I spar around 50 rounds a week, and I train every day. I’m in pretty good shape, real good shape. I am ready, and I will win.”
Reader’s Note: Eric Mitchell’s trainer ‘Indio’ also trains welterweight contender Ronald Cruz. Eric, who turned pro in 1993 and has been fighting professionally for over two decades, is sometimes confused with his twin brother, Aaron Mitchell. Aaron, now retired, was a middleweight with a record of 27-1-1 between 1993 and 2008, undefeated in his last 26 pro bouts, who won WBO and IBO regional title bouts but who never got a major world title shot. Aaron did hold the lesser known IBC World Middleweight title in 1999.
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