Jamie Mitchell has overcome far too much in life to simply settle for having won a major title in the pro ranks.
The belt is here to stay, as far as the Los Angeles-bred, Las Vegas-based WBA bantamweight titlist is concerned. Mitchell doesn’t see that dynamic changing when she meets unbeaten challenger Carly Skelly (4-0-1, 0KOs) this Saturday on DAZN from Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
“I’m not giving out nothing but ass whippings,” Mitchell emphatically stated during the final pre-fight press conference Thursday at Sheraton Downtown Phoenix Hotel. “[Skelly’s] not getting my belt.”
Ironically, Mitchell (7-0-2, 4KOs) traveled to Skelly’s hometown of Liverpool, England for her first career title fight. The 37-year-young—who turned pro just five years ago—prevailed in a big way, though having to settle for a strangely scored majority decision win over Shannon Courtenay last October to claim the WBA bantamweight strap. Courtenay already lost the belt at the scales before Mitchell took care of the rest in the ring, coming up huge in her first fight outside of North America.
The confidence stems from everything Mitchell has survived in a childhood that nobody should have to live through. Abandoned as a baby and mercilessly beaten and malnourished during a childhood that endured countless foster home placements, Mitchell never stopped believing that greater things would come in her life.
That night arrived last October in Liverpool, on the road and in a fight that she wasn’t meant to win,
“You cannot be doubting yourself whether you’re chosen as an opponent or the A-side or B-side,” Mitchell stated of her well-earned confidence. “I have tremendous coaches—Dewey Cooper and David Haynes—and a great manager (Brian Cohen). The belief that I have in myself is just phenomenal. I knew I was gonna go out there and do great things.”
That same belief precedes her first title defense.
“I’m definitely ready to defend my title Saturday night,” Mitchell said. “She’s a great fighter and a great opponent. She’s gonna go out there and do her thing. I’m ready to go out there and show why I’m world champion. I’m gonna go out there and do my thing. Nothing was given to me. I’m gonna show my skills and capabilities.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox